PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
Issue:
Point of connection explanatory notes
To:
Licensees / Contractors/ the Plumbing and Drainage Industry
From:
PIAS Strategy, Home Building Service, Parramatta
Date:
July 2016
Scope:
Applies to all metropolitan and regional areas in New South Wales
Issue:
The purpose of this document is to clearly describe, from a state-wide regulatory
perspective, what is ‘on-site plumbing and drainage work’ and the ‘point of connection’
(PoC), for the purposes of inspection and regulation by the plumbing regulator (or delegate)
under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation
2012.
The description in this document of ‘on-site plumbing and drainage work’ and the ‘point of
connection’ does not affect who owns, or is responsible for maintenance of services. That is
a matter determined by contracts and agreements between the customer and the network
utility operator (NUO).
1. POINT OF CONNECTION FOR WATER SUPPLY
1.1. Terms used
Water service: (also: On-site Plumbing Installation, or House Service) being the pipe
work from the outlet of the water meter/boundary isolation valve to the fixture.
Property service: As per AS/NZS3500.0:2015 The pipes and fittings used or intended
to be used for the supply of water to a property, from the water main up to and
including the meter assembly, or to the stop tap if no meter is required.
Important Note:
In all cases it is suggested that licensee/property owner contact the NUO in relation to
any enquiries or issues you have with the Property Service.
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
1.2. Point of connection: Network Utility Operator (NUO) supply
For water service means the point where the private water service pipe within the
premises connects to the property service or to an alternative water supply system.
Diagram 1 - Point of connection; NUO supply
1.3. Point of connection: Rainwater tank
Means the point where the private water service pipe within the premises connects to
the outlet of the rainwater tank.
Diagram 2 - Point of connection: rainwater tank
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
2. POINT OF CONNECTION TO A SEWER SERVICE
2.1. Terms used
Sewer Service - Sanitary drainage pipe work from the point of connection upstream to
all sewer drainage fixtures on that property.
Important Note:
In all cases it is suggested that licensee/property owner contact the NUO in relation to
any enquiries or issues you have from the property boundary to the NUO’s sewer main;
that is downstream from connection a) or connection b).
2.2. Point of connection: Network Utility Operator (NUO) sewer service
Point of connection for a property to a NUO sewerage system is either of the following;
The point where the: a) sewer service crosses the boundary, OR
b) sewer service joins the junction or vertical within the property
boundary.
Upstream
Vent
Overflow
Relief Gully
TR
Legend
FWG = Floor Waste Gully
IO
= Inspection Opening
IS
= Inspection Shaft
S
= Sink
SHR = Shower
TR
= Trough
WC = Water Closet
BTH = Bath
IO
WC
Drain
IO
FWG
BTH
IO
Drain
SHR
WC
IO
S
IO
IO
Property
Boundary
IO
Se
we
rS
Drain
erv
ice
IS
Point of
Connection a)
IO
Point of
Connection b)
Sewer Main
Produced by Fair Trading
Plumbing Inspection and Assurance Services
May 2013
Diagram 3 - Point of connection: NUO sewer service
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
2.3. Point of connection: On-site wastewater management/treatment systems
The point of connection for a property to an on-site sewage management facility or
wastewater treatment system is the inlet to the system.
Important note:
Any on-site treatment and disposal is not regulated by Fair Trading (downstream of the
point of connection).
Overflow Relief
Gully
Upstream
Vent
IO
TR
WC
Drain
IO
FWG
IO
BTH
Drain
SHR
WC
S
IO
IO
Drain
IO
Legend
FWG = Floor Waste Gully
IO
= Inspection Opening
IS
= Inspection Shaft
S
= Sink
SHR = Shower
TR
= Trough
WC = Water Closet
BTH = Bath
Sewage
Management
IO
Facility
IO
Point of
Connection
IO
To Related Effluent
Application Area
as per
AS/NZS 1547:2012
Property Boundary
Produced by Fair Trading
Plumbing Inspection and Assurance Services
July 2016
Diagram 4 - Point of connection: on-site wastewater management/treatment
2.4. Point of connection: On-site Blackwater or Greywater treatment systems
The point of connection for a property to an on-site Blackwater or Greywater treatment
system is the inlet to the system, as per diagram 4
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
Important Note:
Should the Blackwater or greywater treatment system have a connection to an NUO
wastewater system, all sewer drainage downstream of the treatment system to the point
of connection as described in 2.2 will also be regulated by the plumbing regulator.
2.5. Point of connection: Jointly owned or common services
In the case of demolition, substantially redeveloped or totally refurbished properties that
are connected to a joint service, renewal of the drainage serving the subject property is
only required to the point of connection with the jointly owned (common/party) drainage
line, and/or the boundary of the subject lot.
Diagram 5 - Point of connection: common or joint service
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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PLUMBING INDUSTRY
Technical Note 3/2013
Contact:
For more information, please email: [email protected]
This technical note has been approved for issue by the PIAS Technical Review Committee.
Information contained within this document is current as at July 2016 and refers to codes
and standards current at the time of writing.
This technical note must not be relied on as legal advice. For more information please refer
to the appropriate legislation or seek legal advice.
NSW Fair Trading disclaims any liability (including for negligence) to any person in respect of
anything done, or not done, by that person in whole or partial reliance on any of the
information in this technical note.
© State of New South Wales through NSW Fair Trading, July 2016
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