Submitting applications with water corporations

Nobody likes delays and extra costs in their projects, but by simply addressing all requirements of a plumbing application, you can avoid unnecessary disruption.

When applying to your local water corporation for the connection of commercial or multi-unit residential developments, you will need to supply the full details and requirements of your project.

Supplying complete and accurate information in your application is vital. Doing so assists the water corporation to respond in the shortest possible timeframe, while providing servicing conditions that reflect the specific requirements of the development.

Application requirements vary, depending on the water corporation, but all applications will usually require:

• a detailed site plan;
• an architectural floor plan; and
• information on the number of proposed units/lots.

You may also need to respond to questions about:

• any proposed structures that will be located within 1 metre of a water corporation asset, including property sewer branches (if this is not resolved during the design stage, it can delay the plumbing application);
• installation and use of underground rainwater tanks (this can affect the backflow hazard rating of the property);
• water servicing requirements, including:
  • type and proposed flow rate (in litres/second) of a service, e.g. general, fire; flow rate (in litres/second) of any proposed inline pumps;
  • the size of service required for each service type; and
  • the accessibility of water meters for reading purposes;
• trade waste discharge;
• proposed ground anchors
• use and discharge flow rate (in litres/second) of any pumped sewer discharge; and
• installation of bulk hot water services.

If a fire service is proposed, you may also need to provide:

• details of the type of service or services being proposed, e.g. hydrant, sprinkler, hose reel;
• the Australian Standard under which any proposed fire sprinklers have been designed;
• pressure and flow information;
• a hydraulic water plan;
• a schematic water plan; and
• details of the fire pump curves, if inline pumping is required.

Being prepared to provide complete and accurate information when lodging your application will benefit you and your project by reducing unnecessary delays. Remember: no work can commence on a new development until the location of the water corporation’s assets is known and the relevant water corporation has granted its consent to connect.