Water and Sewer Service Locations

If you are planning any excavation works, whether mechanical or manually, it is important to be aware of any potential hazards and/or valuable water and/or sewer infrastructure in or near the proposed area.  Prior to any excavation, Council advises undertaking a Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) search or contacting out Customer Service Centre to find out if and where any water supply and/or sewer infrastructure is located.

Council’s Water and Sewer Group are responsible for an undertake all works on water and sewer infrastructure owned by Council, unless otherwise approved in advance by Council’s Water and Sewer Group.  This includes the installation, removal, replacement or resizing of any water meter, water main, main tapping, hydrant point or valves.  It also includes the installation, removal, replacements or repair of sewer mains and inspection openings. Tampering with Council’s Water and Sewer infrastructure is illegal and may result in prosecution.

If there is any doubt about the responsibility for works or you have questions relating to a critical asset, as indicated on the DBYD response please contact Council’s Water and Sewer Group during business hours.

Dial Before You Dig

Singleton Council is listed as an asset providers on the Dial Before You Dig National Referral Service which is designed to prevent damage and disruption to valuable and extensive pipe and cable networks providing Australians with essential services.

When you contact Dial Before You Dig, you will be sent a Caller Confirmation listing of all Dial Before You Dig members having underground assets in the vicinity of your proposed excavation. This listing shows indicative locations via email or phone for: water and sewer pipes and fixtures showing positions and depths. If critical assets in your selection are detected, you will be directed to contact Council during business hours in order to clarify the requested information.

For more information or to lodge your free enquiry visit www.1100.com.au.

This information is free of charge.  As the information is indicative, Council does not accept responsibility for accidental damage to water and sewer infrastructure. Those who damage underground pipes or cables networks may be held financially responsible by the asset owner.

If an excavator is unclear about the location of our services, Council Water and Sewer Group staff can undertake onsite location visits.  Fees and charges may be applicable.

How to dig safely

Dial Before You Dig responses and Sewer diagrams from Council are indicative only. Locations and depths should be used as a guide only and care taken when undertaking excavation works.

Mark the approximate location of the pipeline from the diagram and use the surrounding fittings as a guide. Fittings such as hydrant lids, valve lids or pits and marker posts can be used for estimated location of bends or pipelines and can provide assistance in the approximate location of the water main.

Similarly for the pressure sewer pipelines, fittings such as valve lids or pits and marker post information can be used to estimate the location of bends or pipelines and can provide assistance in the approximate location of the sewer main.  Gravity sewer pipelines are generally straight lines between manholes or from manholes to lampholes and are usually deeper than water and/or pressure sewer mains.

There is an easy way to ensure you take all of the right steps in making your excavation project a success. Just follow the Four Ps of Excavation:

  • Plan - plan your job. Use the location of pipes from the Dial Before You Dig service and mark the estimated positions. Contact DBYD a few days before your job is due to begin to receive the information you need to carry out a safe project.
  • Pothole - potholing (digging by hand to expose the services) establishes the exact location of all underground infrastructure.
  • Protect - protecting and supporting exposed infrastructure is the responsibility of the excavator. Failure to protect the infrastructure may result in joint failure damage to the infrastructure, flooding or injury.
  • Proceed - ONLY when you have Planned, Potholed and put the Protective measures in place can you proceed.

Do not use heavy machinery to locate Council water and sewer mains and fixtures, it can lead to possible damage to Council’s Infrastructure.

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