Frequently asked questions – private works for water and sewerage
Private works
Who can open and enter a sewerage maintenance hole (MH)?
Entering a confined space can be dangerous and damage the existing infrastructure. To enter a manhole you need get approval from our Water Operations branch. This includes any person wanting to enter a manhole.
Can I be fined if I open and enter a council manhole without a permit?
Yes. It is an offence under Section 192, of the Water (Safety and Reliability) Act, 2008 to interfere, with water or sewerage infrastructure without approval.
How do I get approval to open and enter a manhole?
If you need access to existing infrastructure for any purpose including planning, investigation or surveying then you must contact our Water Operations branch for approval. Please call us on 07 3412 3412.
Who do I contact for design and construction works:
- for areas in designated State Priority Development Areas of Yarrabilba and Flagstone you can contact our Water Development Services team for more information, please see contact our team
- associated with a Development Application in all other areas of Logan, please contact, Development Engineering on 07 3412 3412.
Who do I contact for permanent diversion of existing mains, mandatory removal of abandoned sewer connections or requests to change MH levels or valve pits.
You will need to contact our Water Operations Branch on 07 3412 3412
Who is responsible for providing Private Works quotations for live works not associated with a Development Approval?
You will need to contact Water Operations for private works quotations, please call them on 07 3412 3412.
Who is responsible for costs associated with private works applications and works?
The applicant is responsible for all associated costs.
How do I apply for private works?
For more information about how to apply for private works, please see Private works.
How do I apply for a disruption to an existing service?
To apply for a disruption to an existing service, please:
- see Private works (for how to apply), and
- Lodge a Form 4 or 4A with our Plumbing and drainage branch.
You can email completed forms to council@logan.qld.gov.au.
Who can carry out live connections to Council water and wastewater infrastructure?
- An applicant can carry out works if they have a written decision and with supervision from our Water Operations branch.
- Council can carry out the works on the applicants behalf and at the applicants cost.
What approvals are required for applicants to undertake works on Council infrastructure?
You need to:
- apply for an Operational Works permit from Development Assessment, and
- have written authority from Water Operations to work on live water or wastewater infrastructure.
What development code do all works need to comply with?
You will need to comply with the Southeast Queensland Design and Construction Code (SEQ Code). To access the SEQ Code, please visit www.seqcode.com.au.
How much notice do I need to give for a live connection?
You need to give us a minimum of 9 business days’ notice.
What if the validity of the water quality tests run out before a connection is made?
You will need to repeat main flushing and quality tests at the applicants cost. You must supply water quality test results at least nine days before the expiry date. You can send these results to privateworksapplications@logan.qld.gov.au.
What do I do if a material change or location change has been made to the proposed water main at the connection point?
You will need to provide an approved amended as constructed plan. You can send these to privateworksapplications@logan.qld.gov.au. Delays may occur if these plans are not received, this may result in re-testing at the applicants cost.
What if water meters become redundant due to a Reconfiguration of a lot?
You will need to lodge a water meter disconnection application. For more information about how to apply, please see Water meter connections and disconnections.
Do I have to get Council to do the live water main connection?
Logan City Council can perform the private works, or you can apply to perform the works.
To apply for your civil contractor to perform the works on Council infrastructure, please email privateworksapplications@logan.qld.gov.au. Compliance conditions may apply if approved.
What must I comply with when carrying out any works on water mains?
You are required to comply with:
- relevant development approval conditions
- plumbing and drainage approvals, and
- SEQ Design and Construction Code requirements.
What materials can I use when working in the Logan City Council area?
All materials must be compliant with approved plans. Materials approved for use in the Logan area are outlined in the infrastructure products and materials list, for more information, please visit SEQ Code.
New Sewerage Connections
Connections to existing sewers will be made in line with the SEQ-Code for gravity sewerage connection and may be one of types listed below:
| Case 1. | Connection of a property sewer connection into a reticulation sewer: | Where a junction has been left on the reticulation sewer for the property connection. | Locate the junction, unplug it, and lay away from it with the property sewer connection. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case 2. | Where no junction has been left. | Apply to Water Operations to install a junction on the reticulation sewer and then proceed as in case 1. | |
| Case 3 |
Into an existing maintenance structure (maintenance hole, chamber, or shaft) where a stub was left for future development, stage connections at the time the maintenance structure was constructed. |
Apply to Water Operations to plug the stub, then connect to the stub and lay the new sewer away from it. On completion of the works in line with the Development Approval, apply to Development Engineering to arrange for the plug to be removed by Water Operations when the new sewers are on-maintenance. |
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| Case 4 | Connection of a new property sewer connection or sewer reticulation into existing maintenance structure. | Where no stub for future property connection has been provided. | In this case, apply to Water Operations to construct a stub into the existing maintenance structure. Then connect and lay away as per approved plumbing plans. |
| Case 5 | Connection of a new property sewer connection or sewer reticulation into the head of an existing sewer. | Where no maintenance structure exists. | Apply to Water Operations to construct a maintenance structure, with a plugged stub. Then proceed as in case 3. |
| Case 6 | Connection of a new property sewer connection or sewer reticulation into an existing sewer reticulation at a point between existing maintenance structures where a junction is not permitted by the SEQ-Code. | Construct a new maintenance hole over the existing sewer leaving the crown of the pipe intact. Lay the new sewer or property sewer connection away from the new maintenance hole. | On completion of the works in line with the Development Approval, apply to Development Engineering to arrange for the crown of the existing sewer to be removed by Water Operations when the new sewers are on-maintenance. |
Notes:
- All proposed connections into the existing system of nominal bore 300 millimetres or greater must occur at a maintenance structure. We may require such connections to incorporate water seals or other odour prevention measures.
- Where new connections occur resulting in the existing maintenance structure no longer being in line with the SEQ Design and Construction Code the existing structure must be upgraded to comply with this code at the applicants cost.
- Unless otherwise approved, temporary ends for each stage will terminate in line with the SEQ Design and Construction Code making sure maintenance holes with plugged stubs are installed for future connection.
New water connections
What construction method could I be required to undertake?
Construction of all new water mains must be in line with approved plans and comply with the SEQ Design and Construction Code. Construction types and requirements vary depending on the proposal.
The table below gives some examples of construction types:
| Connection Type | Construction Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Trunk water mains of nominal bore 300 millimetres or greater. | No approvals will be given to contractors for live connections as these mains are considered critical networks and are to be constructed by Logan City Council only. | |
| Water mains less than 300 millimetres. | Follow all the requirements in the private-works application form and instructions given by Water Business and Water Operations authorized officers. You can email applications to privateworksapplications@logan.qld.gov.au. | |
| Domestic Services. | Installing a tapping band on the water main and laying the water service away from it in line with SEQ-Code drawings. A water service application must be emailed to waterapplications@logan.qld.gov.au. Written permission from Water Operations must be obtained before installing a service onto any live Council infrastructure. | |
| Commercial or industrial connections. | A saddle is installed on the existing main or a tee-piece cut into it. A water service application and approved hydraulic plans must be emailed to waterapplications@logan.qld.gov.au. Written permission from Water Operations must be obtained before installing a service onto any live Council infrastructure. | |
| Connection of a new water main to the existing water-reticulation system. |
Construct the new water mains in line with Development Approval conditions and the SEQ-Code. Maintain a physical gap between the end of the newly constructed water mains and existing Council water mains of a minimum of 3 meters until on-maintenance approval to connect has been given by our Development Assessment Branch. Where there is no newly-constructed hydrant near the connection point, provide a temporary hydrant installed on a duck-foot bend at the end of the new main. Temporary hydrant assemblies will be removed by Water Operations when making the live connection and will be returned to the contractor upon request. Where multiple development stages are to be made live at the same time, each stage must have successfully passed the prescribed water-quality tests and received on-maintenance approval from our Development Assessment Branch within the prescribed time frame. |
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