What to do if you’re planning works near assets or easements

Review the Build Over Guidelines for proposed works over or adjacent to Water Authority Assets

These guidelines provide:

  • information on what types of assets we own
  • information on what you can and can’t do near different types of assets
  • information on what steps you may need to take before you can do work near our assets
  • useful diagrams and explanations for renovators, builders or plumbers.

If you’re planning to do any works or building structures over or near any water or sewer assets, you should read these guidelines – they will help you maximise the use of land while using best practice procedures.

The new Build Over Guidelines - After a recent review with our neighbouring water authorities, we have updated the Build Over Guidelines for proposed works over or adjacent to Water Authority Assets.

The new guidelines and some FAQs will be available for viewing on our website from December 1, 2023. for three months with implementation of the new guidelines effective from 4 March 2024.

After March 4, 2023, there will be a three month transition period (up until June 30, 2024) where the new guidelines will be used, however, where we will still consider projects that were designed to the old guidelines.

After 30 June we plan to remove the current guidelines from the website, with the expectation that the new build over applications received after this date, will conform to the new guidelines.

Outdoor dining information

We’re excited to see businesses bringing our communities to life again with outdoor dining opportunities in local streets and shopping strips.

If you’re a business, we’re keen to work with you to support the Victorian Government’s announcement allowing you to make the most of open spaces like streets, footpaths and carparks.

When it comes to accessing our assets like pipes, there’s a few things you need to consider. Below is some advice and information to help make planning your outdoor dining area easier.

Maintenance covers and in ground fire hydrants

You can put your outdoor dining area over a maintenance cover or in ground fire hydrant if needed, but there’s some things you need to be aware of.

We must still be able to easily access maintenance holes, fire hydrants, and valve boxes.

From time-to-time we or emergency services may need to access these in an emergency with very little notice. It’s important that as the business operator or manager you consider and plan for easy access.

Water and sewer services

There may be times when we need to access water and sewer services in your outdoor dining area. 

Other than in the event of an emergency, most works are planned and we’ll let you know in advance.

We’ll work with you on the best approach to minimise the impact on your business as much as possible, while also making sure we keep water flowing 24/7 to customers.

Who can I speak to for more information?

If you’re planning an outdoor dining area and would like help to make sure we can access our assets, please contact our PropertyConnect team on 9552 3770.

To check if we have any assets near your outdoor dining area you can access SEWmap to get immediate water, recycled water and sewer pipe locations on your Smartphone or tablet.
 

Find out the location of nearby assets

By finding out where all the assets near your property are, you can make sure that you won’t damage them while doing works on your property.

You can apply for asset information through Property Connect.

You can also use resources like SEWmap, ASSETWEBMAP and Dial Before You Dig to locate assets.

Get relevant approvals for your works

In accordance with the Water Act 1989, you need our approval if you intend to build over any of our easements or within one metre of water supply, sewerage or recycled water assets. It’s illegal to do works over or within one meter of our assets without permission.

If there is any damage to our assets as a result of your works, you will be responsible for the cost of repairs.

You can lodge a buildover request through Property Connect.

Find and protect our assets

If you're a developer or contractor planning to do works near our assets, learn more about how you can find and protect our assets.

Building

Find out what to do if you're building a new property.

SEWmap

SEWmap is our free downloadable app that provides access to South East Water's current GIS information including map base, property, water, sewer and recycling assets.