Section 68 Water
1. Applying for a Water Meter
You should apply for a water meter a minimum 10 working days before you start building, as you will need a meter installed before you can access town water. If the new water meter installation relates to a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC) for residential properties, the meter will be installed after the DA or CDC for construction is approved, otherwise if not related, if approved the meter will be installed withing 21 working days. If the new water meter installation relates to a DA or CDC for farmland properties, the owners’ meters will only be installed when a DA or CDC for construction is approved immediately prior to construction of a residence.
All residential properties can only apply for a 20mm or 25mm water meter.
All commercial/industrial properties that require a water meter > 25mm will need to complete an application for a Flowrate and Pressure test, (which needs to be lodged with Council) Link to Flowrate Here to determine if there is enough flow in the main for installation of your requirements. Customers will need to have Hydraulic Calculations completed by a hydraulic engineer to determine what meter size the commercial site needs (Note: in the event that Council’s water main infrastructure cannot provide the required flows to service the larger meter the application will be revised). Hydraulic Calculations need to be sent to Council, who will then provide a quote to supply and install the water service. If the customer accepts this quote and payment is made, Council will schedule this into the works program.
Please note the following when applying for a water meter.
- Clause 12 of Water, Sewerage and Drainage Regulations Local Government Act, 1993: The only persons permitted to tap a Council main under this clause are Council staff acting in the course of their duty.
- Clause 47 of Water, Sewerage and Drainage Regulations Local Government Act, 1993: A person must not begin carrying out water supply, sewerage or drainage work unless the person is holder of a permit issues in accordance with the Plumbing and Drainage Code of Practice.
- Water Services must be sized in accordance with Australian Standards AS 35001: Water Supply under the National Plumbing and Drainage Code and also meet any requirements under the Building Code of Australia.
- Where the requested service is greater than 25mm and/or for provision of fire services, the application is to be accompanied by a written report detailing the reason a larger meter is required. This is to be supported with hydraulic calculations prepared by an appropriately qualified hydraulic engineer justifying the capacity of the reticulated mains network and internal capacity of the new system. A summary of the hydraulic calculations is to be included in the report.
- A site plan is to be completed to indicate the position of meter. This is only an indication & may need to be amended.
- The site plan must include the approximate location of Council's water main and connection of the water main to the water meter is to be located (refer to standard drawing provided below).
- A connection may take up to 21 working days to be completed.
- An application will be returned if all required information is not provided to Council’s satisfaction.
- Council is required to administer a backflow prevention program in accordance with the National Plumbing and Drainage Code AS 3500.1 and as such a Backflow Prevention Device maybe required to be installed with your meter (fees applicable).
- The water meter must be accessible to Council staff & contractors at all times.
- Where requested service is > 25mm, prices are to be quoted.
- All Non-Residential & Rural Residential applications will be assessed on their merits prior to approval of the water meter connection. If no approval is given to the water meter application, and a fee has been paid in advance, this fee will be refunded.
- New Water Meters will be installed after the Development Application or a Complying Development Certificate for construction is approved (residential).
What is to be submitted when applying for installation of a 20 or 25 Water Meter
- Section 68 Water Application through the Portal
- Diagram showing where the meter is to be located
- If related to a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate application the Application Number of that document
What is to be submitted when applying for Quotation of a > 25 Water Meter
- Flowrate & Pressure Test Application
- Hydraulic Calculations after flowrate test is completed
- Section 68 Water Application through the Portal (if a quotation is needed)
Please see Griffith City Council’s standard drawing below for reference:
STD-W-01 Water Meter Installation Drawing
2. Applying for a Water Main Extension
When an applicant wishes to have Council’s reticulated water services extended to their property, firstly, the applicant must obtain written approval from neighbouring properties within 225 metres of the proposed mains extension as these properties become eligible for paying water access charges (water rates) regardless of whether they connect to the town water supply or not, as per Local Government Act 1993 Section 552 and Council Policy WS-CP-202. If any landowners object to this proposed main extension, then the extension cannot go ahead. If all landowners agree then the proposed main extension can be investigated for feasibility.
Council charges include one off charges, such as an investigation fee, contribution fees (explained below), property connection and connection to existing infrastructure charges.
Annual charges will include access, usage and depending on the land usage, backflow prevention device testing.
Please contact Griffith City Council for more information relating to non-residential type connections.
Most water main construction costs are borne by the applicant (and other beneficiaries, if desired). Minimum water main pipe size is 100mm (this is the pipe that your proposed property water service would connect to).
Construction costs can vary greatly according to difficulty, however, as a guide, minimum cost would be approx. $150/metre, (excluding rock, limited space, road/rail crossings, relocation of existing services etc.). The applicant must appoint an experienced contractor for this work.
Contribution Fees
Water & WasteWater Development Contribution Charge Section 64 Local Government Act – to contribute to the required water infrastructure a contribution fee is required to be paid for an increase in demand on that infrastructure.
Typical costs associated with this connection are based on the 2023/24 Financial Year:
| Investigation Fee | $600.00 | |
| Flowrate Fee | $300.00 | |
| Council Cut-ins to the existing water main | $5,235.00 | approx. (100mm water main) |
| Testing of Water Mains | $ 550.00 | |
| Labourer/Plant Operator | $95.00 | (per person/hour) |
| Ozonation of Water Mains ( /metre length of main) | $1.80/metre | (minimum $350) |
| Inspection of Water Mains (once completed) | $340.00 | |
| Water Meter Application Fee (20mm) | $1,250.00 | (one off fee/property 20mm) |
| Backflow Prevention Device Rental 20mm D/C | $48.00/annum | |
| Backflow Prevention Device Test Fee | $165/annum (high) | $75/annum (med) |
| S64 Development Service Charge | $8,695.00 | (one off fee/property) |
| Consumption of Potable Water Fee (on going fee) | $0.83 first 200kL | $1.76 thereafter |
| Water Meter Access charges (on going fee) | $150/annum | (ongoing rates) |
| Contractor Main Extension Costs | $Quote to be obtained |
Amount includes GST (if applicable)
If approved, the absolute minimum charge to investigate, make a connection to the existing network, disinfect, inspect and acceptance test, not including any actual water main construction or materials, is approx. $17,500 (inc. GST). Please Note: This amount is an estimate only for information purposes and fees are subject to change.
For current costs go to Council’s Revenue Policy, see link below:
https://www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/fees-charges
Council requires a drawing showing clearly where the water meter is to be installed and the Development Application or Complying Development Certificate number (if applicable).
What is to be submitted when applying for an Extension of a Water Main
- Section 68 Water Main Extension Application
- Drawing of the Water Main Extension
- If related to a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate application, the Application Number of that document
Please see Griffith City Council’s standard drawings below for reference:
STD-W-02 Water Main Extension Drawing
STD-W-02 Water Main Extension Drawing
