CERTIFICATES AND RECORDS
Consent to connect to sewer and water in Victoria
Before you connect to a water authority's sewer or water main you need that authority's consent. The mains are their assets, and the consent is how they approve what you connect and where. Here is how it works and how it ties back to the job.
Why consent is required
The sewer and water mains a property connects to are owned and run by a water authority, not by the property owner and not by you. Connecting to those assets, or altering an existing connection, affects the authority's network. So the authority has to consent first: it approves what you are connecting, where the connection is made, and on what terms. Without that consent there is no authority to be working on their asset.
Different authorities cover different areas
Victoria is divided between water authorities, and which one you deal with depends on where the property is. The metropolitan area is split between authorities such as Yarra Valley Water, South East Water and Greater Western Water, with regional authorities covering the rest of the state. Each runs its own application process and its own requirements, so the first step is always to confirm which authority covers the property.
How consent ties to the PIC number and the job
On a connection or below-ground job, the authority's consent is usually tracked through a connection application that produces a PIC number, the authority's reference for the approved point of connection. That number ties the consent to the property and the scope of work, and it sits alongside the rest of the job record. See the PIC number guide for how to apply for one.
What to record
For a connection job, keep the consent, the PIC reference, and dated photos of the connection together against the same job. That is what shows the authority approved the connection before you made it, which is the question that gets asked if a connection is ever queried. Elemetric keeps that with the job.
Common questions
Why do I need the water authority's consent to connect?
The sewer and water mains belong to the water authority, not the property owner. Connecting to them affects the authority's network, so the authority has to consent to the connection first, including where and how it is made. Working on their asset without consent is not permitted.
Which water authority do I apply to?
The one that covers the property. Victoria is split between authorities such as Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, Greater Western Water and others depending on the area. Confirm which authority covers the property and check their current requirements before you apply.
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Download on the App Store →General information for licensed tradespeople, not legal or regulatory advice. The licensed plumber remains solely responsible for compliance. Refer to the current AS/NZS 3500 standards and the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the VBA) for authoritative requirements.