You may need this approval to either:
- connect (directly or indirectly) to a water supply network operated by the local Council, the Sydney Water corporation or the Hunter Water corporation
- undertake any water supply work.
Water supply work includes any activity (e.g. construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, etc) that affects pipes or fittings that connect, directly or indirectly, to a public water supply network or an alternative water supply source (e.g. a water tank).
There are multiple stages to getting your proposed water supply work approved, with different authorities responsible for different aspects of the approval process, for instance:
- you have to apply to the relevant local Council for approval to conduct water supply work (this will often be done as part of a Development Application process)
- if the work will be conducted on infrastructure that will connect to a water supply network operated by Hunter Water or Sydney Water corporations you will also need to get their approval for the proposed work
- a Notice of Work must be submitted to NSW Fair Trading (or a delegated authority) to provide them with an opportunity to inspect all plumbing and drainage work to ensure that it meets the required standards.
Please note that plumbing and drainage work can only be carried out in NSW by individuals that hold the relevant professional licences.
