No permanent, lockable or heavy weight structure is permitted within a water or sewerage network service reservation, easement, pipe protection envelope or utility access route, inside or outside the boundaries of a property, unless written approval is given by ActewAGL.
As a guideline this category includes, but is not limited to:
- carports with roller/tilting doors, outhouses, in-ground pools, large above- ground pools, glasshouses, decks and staircases
- commercial buildings, houses, extensions, additions, garages, lockable gates, enclosed structures, ornamental pools, garden sheds, brick barbecues, canopies, tension structures and sails
- below-ground building structures including, footings, basements, shoring, rock anchors, encasements, piers, retaining walls, sheet piling and other building elements
- above-ground structures including awnings or canopies that overhang or cantilever over water mains, sewer-pressure mains or gravity-sewer mains regardless of whether those pipes are inside or outside the property boundary, on a neighbouring property, the verge, parkland or government land
- any other building element that may, in the opinion of ActewAGL, permanently hinder ActewAGL emergency access or planned maintenance access to the pipe protection envelope or service reservation.
ActewAGL may conditionally approve temporary structures within a water or sewerage network service reservation, a pipe protection envelope, utility emergency access route, or planned maintenance access route, or planned maintenance access route where:
- there are no special or unusual circumstance that, in the opinion of ActewAGL, make the presence of the structure undesirable or otherwise prohibited
- an agreement is reached between ActewAGL and the owner of premises whereby the owner of premises will:
- provide emergency access
- temporarily relocate the structure within a timeframe which will allow ActewAGL to meet its service obligations when notified by ActewAGL of a requirement to gain planned maintenance access to operate, maintain or replace water or sewerage network equipment
- permanently remove the structure on or before a stipulated date
- reinstate any water or sewerage network equipment or condition that may be temporarily altered for the purpose of establishing a temporary facility.
As a guideline, this category includes, but is not limited to, portable offices, site sheds, transport containers, scaffolding, protective awnings, security fences, temporary site services (such as surface cables, drains or conduits) and other facilities used for a limited duration.
ActewAGL may conditionally approve light-weight demountable structures within a water or sewerage network service reservation (easement), a pipe protection envelope or a utility access route where:
- emergency access is provided
- footings comply with foundation stability rules
- pavements within the structure comply with pavement rules
- the structure is open and unlockable
- the owner of premises agrees to relocate the demountable structure within an agreed timeframe when given 7 days written notice by ActewAGL of a requirement to gain planned maintenance access for the purpose of maintaining or replacing water or sewerage network equipment
- the owner of premises agrees to pay ActewAGL to relocate the structure when it is not possible to agree within the required time frame for the owner of premises to carry out the work
- the owner of premises agrees to be responsible for all work and costs associated with the reinstatement of the structure
- all conditions are recorded on the property title
- there are no special or unusual circumstances that, in the opinion of ActewAGL, make the presence of the structure undesirable or otherwise prohibited.
As a guideline this category includes, but is not limited to, children’s play equipment, wading pools, cubby houses, potted-plants, mobile barbecues, tents, outdoor furniture settings, kennels, animal runs, chicken sheds, screens and small garden sheds.
This category does not include equipment requiring specialist trade skills to relocate.
Above-ground swimming pools, pool decking and equipment, where permitted, must be small scale, light-weight, readily demountable and capable of being quickly relocated safely by unskilled personnel within a timeframe acceptable to ActewAGL.
ActewAGL may conditionally approve permanent, unlockable, open structures within a sewerage network service reservation, a pipe protection envelope or a utility access route where:
- the sewer pipe is gravitational
- emergency access is provided
- footings comply with foundation stability rules
- pavements within the structure comply with pavement rules
- the structure is open and unlockable
- planned maintenance access is provided, either through the structure or by alternative means
- the structure is recorded on the property title as conditionally approved with no financial or legal liability attributed to ActewAGL for future relocation or for any other resulting circumstances
- there are no special or unusual circumstances that, in the opinion of ActewAGL, make the presence of the structure undesirable or otherwise prohibited.
As a guideline this category includes, but is not limited to, carports, pergolas, on-ground verandas, shade structures and canopies.
Some intrusion into the air space of a pipe protection envelope is permissible where the obstruction can be safely and easily rotated out of the pipe protection envelope by ActewAGL staff without harm to the item causing the obstruction, for example, dish antennae, gates and clothes lines.
ActewAGL will not approve permanent unlockable open structures within a pipe protection envelope, service reservation (easement) or utility access route containing (or intended to contain) a water main or a pressurised sewer pipe due to the potential for damage if a pipe should burst.
ActewAGL will approve the demolition of existing structures where an agreement is reached between ActewAGL and the owner of premises whereby the owner of premises will:
- provide emergency access
- undertake demolition and associated excavation works in a manner that will ensure the stability of water or sewerage networks and the surrounding foundation materials
- take reasonable measures to protect water and sewerage network equipment (including connections, water meters, valves, mains, access manholes etc.) from inadvertent or accidental harm during demolition or excavation works
- reinstate any water or sewerage network equipment or condition that may be temporarily altered for the purpose of safely undertaking the demolition works
- provide planned maintenance access when notified by ActewAGL of a requirement to operate, maintain or replace water or sewerage network equipment.
Note: It is important to note that damage to a network from such demolition works may result in costs for which the owner of premises will be liable.
ActewAGL will approve the following pavement materials inside a service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope:
- bituminous concrete (flexible pavement)
- concrete, brick or stone pavers (cobble stones)
- gravel compacted with hand-operated equipment
- concrete slab on ground, only where:
- the thickness is less than 150mm
- panels are laid with construction joints at not less than 3,000mm intervals (to facilitate access to network pipes and minimise disruption to adjoining pavement)
- the pavement is not tied or integral with any adjoining structure
- reinforcement is limited to a light gauge mesh (to minimise surface cracking).
Heavily reinforced structural concrete, or slab-on-ground pavement in excess of 150mm thick, may be approved in a service reservation (easement), pipe protection envelope or utility access route only where, in the opinion of ActewAGL:
- a satisfactory means of planned maintenance access is provided, which will allow ActewAGL to meet its service obligations for the operation, repair or replacement of the water or sewerage network equipment using standardised ActewAGL equipment
- the surrounding pavement complies with foundation stability rules
- the owner of pemises agrees to pay for the removal and reinstatement of concrete pavement removed for the purpose of excavating and gaining access to water or sewerage network equipment
- all conditions imposed by ActewAGL are recorded on the property title.
Suspended concrete pavement must comply with conditions applying to permanent, lockable, or heavy weight structures.
ActewAGL will generally approve the construction of light-weight demountable fencing, made of timber or steel, where it crosses or runs within a service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope without the need to have footings that comply with structural load rules.
ActewAGL may approve the construction of concrete and masonry fencing or retaining walls which cross or run within a service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope, provided that:
- footings do not extend into the pipe protection envelope more than 300mm
- footings are no closer than 1,000mm from the centreline of the main
- footings comply with foundation stability rules
- the fence or wall runs perpendicular (or no more than 15 degrees off the perpendicular) to the pipe or service reservation (easement) and is designed to bridge the service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope without transmitting any loading to any water or sewerage network equipment
- emergency access is provided
- planned maintenance access is provided, either through the structure or by alternative approved means.
ActewAGL may approve earth fill, changes to natural ground levels, earth banks, retaining structures or other landscaping features, located within a service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope, provided that:
- proposed structures comply with all relevant emergency access, planned maintenance access and equipment protection rules
- the imposed loads do not exceed pipe design limits
- the depth of sewerage and water network mains and connections are no deeper than permitted by ACTEW Water Supply and Sewerage Standards
- adequate overland drainage paths are provided to minimise the risk of damage to persons or property if the associated water main should burst or sewerage main surcharge
- the structural stability of the water and sewerage network mains and associated equipment are maintained (for example thrust blocks, valves, meters, pits, etc.)
- unhindered access is available along the full length of the pipe protection envelope
- ActewAGL machinery can enter and operate safely and without difficulty
- ActewAGL's operational or maintenance expenses are not increased by the need for specialised equipment to access or excavate mains
- the owner of premises pays for any adjustment to network equipment that may be necessary to accommodate the proposed changes and ensure compliance with ACTEW Water Supply and Sewerage Standards (for example adjust the level of isolation valves, meter pits, manholes, hydrants, etc.).
ActewAGL recognises that circumstances may arise where:
- the building of a substantial permanent structure over a service reservation (easement) or within the pipe protection envelope may be justified
- it may be necessary or desirable to divert water or sewerage networks
- special design features may assist the owner of premises to achieve their objectives.
ActewAGL may approve special proposals provided that, in the opinion of ActewAGL:
- the proposal complies with all access and equipment protection rules
- an agreement is reached between ActewAGL and the owner of premises for the distribution and payment of costs of associated works
- the proposal does not increase ActewAGL's operational, maintenance or network replacement costs, now or in the future
- the proposal does not create uncontrolled public or workplace safety hazards
- the proposal does not put at risk a neighbour’s property, or impact on them unacceptably in any other way.