Works Over

Building or other construction works (including road works or works within the footpath or berm of roads), should not be undertaken close to or over Watercare’s water and wastewater networks.

If you wish to carry out any construction works or excavations close to or over Watercare’s networks you will require approval from Watercare. Our main concerns are that construction or excavation activities may cause damage to our system and in some cases restrict our ability to maintain them in the future.

To protect our networks, you must not undertake any construction or excavation activities inside the clearance distances from Watercare’s networks as set out in the table below, without our permission. This means that where our networks are buried below the ground, you cannot excavate above or around or carry out any construction activities above the ground within this area.

We will not give permission to build over a watermain or a wastewater pressure pipe. These pipes would need to be relocated at your cost with the proposed diversion approved by Watercare prior to starting the relocation. See New Developments for the approval process.

The location of our water and wastewater networks can be obtained via the BeforeUDig website or by contacting BeforeUDig on 0800 248 344.

For more detailed information in relation to the clearance distances, or if you are unsure, please contact us.

If you plan to carry out any construction works within road or public reserves, please request the water and wastewater service plans via BeforeUDig.

The BeforeUDig response will confirm whether Watercare assets are in the vicinity of your proposed works and whether further information is required.

Should Watercare approval be required we will process your application and may invoice you for the services we will need to provide. 

Even within private property our water and wastewater networks need to be protected.

If you wish to build close to or over our wastewater network you will require our approval. Please complete the Works Over Approval Application Form and email it to connections@water.co.nz with a plan of the proposed works.

We recommend that you apply for Watercare’s approval early in your design process as we will need to inspect the wastewater pipe using a special camera (CCTV) and depending on the condition of the pipe you may need to either replace or divert the wastewater pipe at your cost or alternatively you may decide to relocate your proposed building.

If building over the wastewater line is approved by Watercare, your engineer will still need to design your building’s foundations so as not to cause additional load or strain on our wastewater pipe.

Please see Watercare’s works over process diagram and expected timeframes.