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Municipal Approvals: Water, Sewer & Utility Connections

This guide explains the municipal approvals and steps to get water, sewer and utility connections for a new build or renovation. It covers who to contact, the permits and technical specs you’ll likely need, and practical steps to get a safe, legal connection without delays. Follow the checklist to avoid common pitfalls, manage costs, and get utilities energised or commissioned on time.
House A-Z Team
Sep 28, 2025·5 min read
Municipal Approvals: Water, Sewer & Utility Connections

Who This Is For:

  • First-time self-builders
  • Homeowners renovating with new services
  • Small developers
  • Project managers coordinating contractors
  • Architects/engineers new to utility approvals

What to Expect:

You should expect a multi-step process: research and utility mapping, applications to local water/sewer authorities and distribution companies, technical checks (capacity, meter, pipe size), permits and fees, on-site works (trenching, connections, SUDS), inspections, and final commissioning. Timelines vary from weeks for simple meter requests to months for new sewer links or changes in drainage strategy.

Key Checklist:

  • Locate utility maps and service records for your plot
  • Contact local water and sewer authority for pre-application guidance
  • Budget for connection charges, application fees, and contractor works
  • Include SUDS/drainage plan with planning or building permit submission
  • Book inspections and keep copies of all approvals and as-built drawings

Quick Overview

Need water, sewer, or utility hookups without costly delays? This guide shows who to contact. It explains permits, technical specs, and common requirements. Follow practical steps to secure safe, legal connections. Use the checklist to avoid pitfalls and manage costs. Stay proactive, document everything, and schedule inspections early.

Key Points:

  • Plan approvals early to avoid construction delays and extra costs.
  • Ensures your home gets safe, legal water, sewer, and power on time.
  • Permit timelines and inspection requirements vary by municipality and project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on permits, fees, specs, inspections and avoiding connection delays.

Key Points:

  • Plan early: submit complete permits, call locates, and use licensed installers to avoid surprises.
  • Call a pro for mains, easements, complex drainage, or tight schedules.

What You Need to Know

This section summarizes the essential specifications for securing municipal water, sewer, and utility connections for new builds or renovations. Use the checklist to contact the right agencies, gather required documents, and meet technical standards so connections are installed safely and without costly delays.

Key Points:

  • Start early: permit applications and utility coordination are common sources of delay.
  • Confirm the exact submission and inspection requirements with each utility before work begins.
  • Use licensed trades and follow local standards to avoid rework and failed inspections.
  • Schedule tie-ins and energisation with the utility—do not assume immediate availability.
  • Keep clear as-built records and test certificates for compliance and future maintenance.

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Everyone makes these mistakes during utility connections. Quick fixes to avoid delays, extra costs, and failed inspections.

Key Points:

  • Prevention is easier than fixing
  • When to get help

Your Action Checklist

Quick, confident steps to secure water, sewer, and utility connections—avoid delays and get services commissioned on time.

Key Points:

  • Time needed: 60 minutes
  • You've got this!

Quick Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Start with your municipal utilities or permit office, then the local water/sewer provider. Arrange a pre-application meeting, submit a site plan, and call utility locates before digging.

Time

What You Need to Know

Who to Contact & Approvals

Requirements:

  • Identify local water, sewer, and utility authorities (municipal utilities, regional water boards, electric/gas providers)
  • Confirm application channels: online portal, in-person office, or licensed contractor submission
  • Obtain written approval or permit number before any excavation or tapping
  • Provide proof of land ownership or developer authorization

Standards:

  • Local municipal approval procedures and timelines
  • Utility provider connection policies and service agreements

Permits & Documentation

Requirements:

  • Complete and submit connection permit applications (water, sewer, electric, gas, telecom as applicable)
  • Site plan showing meter locations, service routes, and nearest mains
  • Grading and drainage plan if required
  • Proof of payment for application and inspection fees

Standards:

  • Municipal permit checklist
  • Permit submission formats (pdf/site plan scale requirements)

Technical Specifications — Water

Requirements:

  • Specify service size (e.g., 3/4", 1", 2") based on demand calculations
  • Pressure and flow requirements or expected demand profile
  • Backflow prevention device type and installation location
  • Materials for service pipe and fittings (e.g., copper, MDPE) and cathodic protection if required

Standards:

  • Local water authority material and sizing standards
  • Backflow prevention codes (local or nationally recognized standards)

Technical Specifications — Sewer

Requirements:

  • Connection point and invert levels on site plan
  • Sewer pipe materials and slope requirements (e.g., PVC, SDR, minimum gradient)
  • Requirement for manholes, inspection chambers, or rodding points
  • Pre-treatment or grease interceptors for commercial kitchens as applicable

Standards:

  • Municipal sewer design standards and minimum slope guidelines
  • Wastewater pre-treatment regulations for commercial discharges

Technical Specifications — Electrical & Gas

Requirements:

  • Load calculations and single-line diagram for electrical service
  • Location and clearance requirements for meter and service panels
  • Gas service size, pressure class, and regulator specification for gas connections
  • Coordination with utility for meter set and energisation schedule

Standards:

  • National/local electrical code requirements (metering and earthing)
  • Gas installation codes and utility provider requirements

Excavation, Trench & Tie-In Requirements

Requirements:

  • Shoring, traffic management, and public safety plans for open trenches
  • Utility locating and marking (call-before-you-dig or local equivalent)
  • Minimum cover depths over mains and compaction requirements for backfill
  • Schedule tie-ins with utility to avoid service interruptions

Standards:

  • Local excavation safety regulations
  • Utility provider tie-in procedures and approved reinstatement standards

Inspections, Testing & Commissioning

Requirements:

  • Pre-pour/cover inspections for buried services and as-built verification
  • Pressure/leak tests for water and smoke or air tests for sewer lines where required
  • Final inspection and commissioning certification from the authority before energisation or use
  • Retain and submit as-built drawings and test certificates

Standards:

  • Municipal inspection schedule and required test methods
  • Provider commissioning and energisation checklists

Costs, Scheduling & Practical Steps

Requirements:

  • Obtain quotes for service connection, meter installation, and any mains extension
  • Factor permit lead times and inspection windows into construction schedule
  • Use licensed plumbers/electricians and approved contractors to avoid rejects
  • Keep digital copies of all permits, correspondence, and receipts for handover

Standards:

  • Local fee schedules for connections and impact charges
  • Recommended contractor licensing and certification requirements

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Why it happens: Unknown local rules or specs cause rework.

Solution: Contact municipal permit office, request checklist and site-specific requirements before applying.

Impact: Delays and reissuance fees

Your Action Checklist

  • ✓Contact municipal utilities department early; request connection requirements
  • ✓Obtain permits, submit plans, and schedule inspections
  • ✓Hire licensed contractor; confirm technical specs and fees
municipal approvalswater connection permitsewer hookup permitutility connectionsbuilding permitsinspection checklistutility hookupspermit applicationtechnical specificationssite development approvalssewer connection requirementswater main connectionconstruction inspectionslocal utilitiesavoid construction delays
written by

House A-Z Team

Expert home building and renovation advice from the House A-Z team.

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