Water Metering and
Servicing Guidelines
Version Three 2013 –
Yarra Valley Water
Addendum
The Water Metering and Servicing Guidelines provide consistency across
the three Metropolitan Melbourne Water Businesses. The guidelines
benefit the plumbing, building and developer industries, including plumbers,
designers, builders, developers, property owners, plumbing specialists and
Water Business staff.
The guidelines have been prepared as a combined effort by the three Water
Businesses – City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water.
Yarra Valley Water has prepared this addendum to address small
variations in metering and servicing between retailers that are identified
with the words “refer to relevant water authority” or “contact Yarra
Valley Water for further information” in the shared guidelines.
All section numbers are in reference to the Water Metering and Servicing
Guidelines Version Three, 2013.
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6.4
Water Meter Pits
Yarra Valley Water has standard drawings and approved products for single and dual
20mm water meters in pits that shall be used when all options to install the water meter
above ground have been adequately explored to the satisfaction of YVW.
8.9 Use of a Data Logger
Data loggers are not permitted to be fitted to Yarra Valley Water meters without prior
written consent and the signing of a licence agreement, which includes a list of
conditions which must be met.
10.3 Fire Services
Residential/Home Fire Sprinkler Services – Currently our rules are less strict than stated
in the Guidelines. Those designed under AS2118.4 or AS2118.5 which utilises a low
test volumes of water are not required to be metered under our business rules. Please
contact YVW to determine the appropriate metering and servicing.
Backflow Devices- Please contact YVW if you have a fire service installation requiring
the use of a Check Detector Assembly. Our requirements are stricter in some
situations based on the property backflow hazard rating and require Dual Check
Detector Assemblies where the Guidelines state Single Check.
11.2 New Dual Dwelling Residential Development
Where both dwellings have water main frontage
(either for new dwellings or a proposed second dwelling):
Definition
Two dwellings on a residential parcel/s of land
(either for new dwellings or a proposed second dwelling):
Water
Metering
•
Servicing
•
•
•
•
For each dwelling a new main water meter is mandatory on the
drinking water supply and also on the recycled water supply where
available (see Section 8.2 - Remote Water Meters).
Separate 20mm Ø tappings are required to service each dwelling.
An existing 20mm Ø tapping may be retained for one dwelling if
approved by the Water Business.
For wet tappings, the plumber is to install the water meter
assembly and property service pipe prior to the tapping time. The
Water Business taps the water main (see definitions).
Upsizing of the property service pipe may be approved following
an assessment based on the required flow rate. Additional fees
apply.
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Where only one dwelling has water main frontage
(either for new dwellings or a proposed second dwelling):
Definition
Two dwellings on a residential parcel/s of land
Water Metering
•
•
Servicing
•
•
•
•
Sub metering is not permitted by YVW on new dwellings or
proposed second dwellings
For each dwelling a new main water meter is mandatory on
the drinking water supply and also on the recycled water
supply where available (see Section 8.2 - Remote Water
Meters).
Separate 20mm Ø tappings are required to service each
dwelling.
An existing 20mm Ø tapping may be retained for one dwelling
if approved by the Water Business.
For wet tappings, the plumber is to install the water meter
assembly and property service pipe prior to the tapping time.
The Water Business taps the water main (see definitions).
Upsizing of the property service pipe may be approved
following an assessment based on the required flow rate.
Additional fees apply.
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Existing dual occupancies constructed prior to 1997
Definition
With many existing developments, generally constructed prior to 1997
only a main water meter was provided with the water usage divided
among the owners of the individual dwellings. In these cases some
owners wish to install individual water meters to allow them to monitor
their water usage.
Water
Metering
These developments are typically serviced by a 20mm Ǿ main water
meter.
An additional main or sub/ check meter to each dwelling is able to be
provided (for a fee) subject to the servicing requirements listed below
(see Section 8.2 - Remote Water Meters).
Servicing
Option 1
• Separate tappings for each dwelling. The existing 20mm tapping
and water meter is to be retained for one dwelling with a new
20mm tapping and water meter being provided for the second
dwelling).
Option 2
• This is acceptable by YVW only if the dual occupancy proceeds as
an owner’s corporation. The existing 20mm Ø water service
tapping is to be plugged. A new 25mm Ø tapping and water meter
with 2 x 20mm Ø sub/check meters to be provided to each
dwelling.
Option 3
• This is acceptable by YVW only if the dual occupancy proceeds as
an owner’s corporation. The existing 20mm Ø tapping and
property service pipe is to be retained and the existing 20mm Ø
main water meter to remain in place with 2 x 20mm Ø check/sub
meters to be provided to each dwelling. Existing pressures and
flows are to be proven adequate and substantiated in writing by a
hydraulic consultant.
Note: If the current or proposed demand for water supply affects the
performance of the 20mm main water meter, option 3 will not be
acceptable.
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Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Retain existing 20mm tapping
and water meter for occupancy 1.
Provide second 20mm tapping
and main water meter for the
second occupancy.
• This is acceptable by
YVW only if the dual
occupancy proceeds as
an owner’s corporation.
• This is acceptable by
YVW only if the dual
occupancy proceeds as
an owner’s corporation.
• Where sufficient flow exists
•
•
Plug existing 20mm water
service tapping. Provide new
25mm tapping, meter,
property service pipe and
25mm water main.
New sub/check meters to
each occupancy.
•
and has been substantiated in
writing by a hydraulic
consultant, the existing 20mm
service pipe and 20mm main
meter may be retained and a
20mm sub/check meter
provided for each dwelling.
Note This option applies for
existing units, not new.
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11.3 Multi-Dwelling Residential Development
(Greater than two units and less than 20 units ground floor/ground
and first floor) This is only acceptable for 7- less than 20 units
Definition
Water
Metering
Multiple dwellings on a single title or Owners Corporation:
• Flats.
• Apartments.
• Units.
• A main water meter is required on the drinking water supply and also
on the recycled water supply where available to service all dwellings.
• For each dwelling a sub/check water meter is required on the drinking
water supply and also on the recycled water supply where available.
• Water meters must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance
and replacement. Where the water meter is deemed to be inaccessible
for reading, remote water meters will be required to be fitted (see
section 8.2 - Remote Water Meters).
Servicing
• A single tapping is to be provided to service the total development.
• Upon application, second tapping will be considered where a dual
supply arrangement is proposed and the services are to be
interconnected.
• Existing services are to be plugged with all dwellings to be serviced
from the same main water meter.
• Dual supply from water mains in different pressure supply zones will
not be permitted.
Fire Services
Additional
References
Refer to Section 10.3
See Melbourne Metropolitan Water Retailer ‘Water Service
Assembly
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For Multi Dwelling Residential Developments 3 – 6 Units ground floor/ground and
first floor) Yarra Valley Water requires the installation of a manifold.
Overview
Direct connections (tappings) are required for 3-6 lot subdivisions including those with an Owners
Corporation. Manifold arrangements for meters are to be used in multi-unit developments with 3 - 6 units
or 2 industrial commercial units with a fire service to provide the direct connection.
Servicing
Direct connections can be achieved by the installation of a manifold arrangement coming off one tapping
from the main according to the following guidelines:
•
There are 2 manifold designs that can be used: a ‘T Bar’ or ‘Straight’ arrangement.
•
Separate manifolds are required for both potable and recycled water.
•
The minimum number of lots serviced via a manifold arrangement is 3. The only exception is in the
case of 2 lot industrial/commercial developments with a fire service.
•
All manifolds are to be located below ground and must be left exposed for Yarra Valley Water
plumbing contractors to inspect prior to installation of the meters.
•
A common area meter may be incorporated into the development as part of the manifold system. All
common areas are serviced through this meter alone.
•
When installing meters off the manifold, the following spacing requirements need to be met:
For 20mm to 25mm Meters – 250mm minimum clearance between the centreline of the pipe
For 32mm Meters and above – 150mm minimum clearance from the outside edge of each meter
For all meters, the distance between the ground and the base of the meter needs to be no less than
150mm and no more 300mm
•
No meter installed off a manifold can be larger than the size of the tapping/manifold
The manifold and meters must be installed within 2 metres of the property boundary
Water meters must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance and replacement. Where the water
meter is deemed to be inaccessible for reading, remote water meters will be required to be fitted.
•
Meter connection
types for 3-6 lot
developments (plus
common property)
For 3-6 unit/lot developments for both potable and recycled water, the requirement will be to service these
developments as ‘single’ connections using a manifold arrangement. The only exception is to allow 2 lot
Industrial/Commercial developments with a fire service to be connected via a manifold arrangement
Manifold Examples
T Manifold
Straight Manifold
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3 Unit Development with potable and recycled water connections via manifold arrangement.
Vacant land
development
connected via a
manifold
Manifold Drawings
Where a Statement of Compliance is required for a vacant land development serviced via a manifold
arrangement, the following items must be completed for both potable (and recycled water, if applicable):
•
Installation of the manifold
•
Installation of all meters, including one for common property (if applicable)
•
Lay internal pipes to each lot
•
Install garden tap within the boundary of each lot
•
Yarra Valley Water Plumbing contractor will :
•
Inspect the manifold to ensure it meets Yarra Valley Water standards
•
Install the meters once the plumber has installed the internal pipe work and garden tap on each
property to be tap tested
Standard drawings for manifolds can be found at www.yvw.com.au/easyaccess
11.6 Dependent Living Residential Units ('Granny Flat')
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Definition
•
•
A self-contained building erected on the land of the property
owner, and is used or intended to be used as a separate residence
from the main residence. The dwelling must contain kitchen,
bathroom and sanitary facilities, the requirements of which are
outlined below. The occupier of the dwelling has the right to
exclusive use, but does not need to have paid or contributed to the
purchase price of the dwelling.
Evidence is required that the person/s residing or intending to
reside in the dwelling is/are in fact a dependent relative for it to be
so classified.
Source: - Based on the definition of ‘dwelling’ in s 46H of the Planning and Environment Act (Vic) 1987.
New Customer
Contributions
Where the proposed development satisfies the definition of ‘dwelling’
under the provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, or the
applicant requests separate water meters, new customer contributions
will apply. The fee will be charged in line with Essential Services
Commission Determination requirements.
Property
Declaration
In cases where the development does not meet the definition of a
‘dwelling’ under the provisions of the Planning and Environment Act
1987 No. 46H, and the customer does not require separate water
meters for the proposed building, the owner will be required to enter
into an agreement with the water authority by signing a ‘Declaration
Form’. The agreement will provide for payment of new customer
contributions only when the property is subdivided in the future or
provided with separate water meters at the request of the property
owner.
Water Metering Individual sub/check metering of the dwelling is optional. Water meters
must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance and replacement.
Where the water meter is deemed to be inaccessible for reading,
remote read water meters will be required to be fitted (see section 8.2 Remote Water Meters).
Servicing
These developments may be serviced in several ways:
•
Separate tappings for each dwelling.
This is acceptable by YVW only if the Dependent Living Residential Unit
occupancy proceeds as an Owner’s Corporation;
•
Upsize existing 20mm Ø property service pipe to 25mm. A 25mm main meter
with sub/check meters to each dwelling.
However, if it can be demonstrated that the development’s increased
demand for water supply does not impact on the performance of the water
meter, the following applies:
•
Where existing pressures and flows are found to be adequate (to be
substantiated in writing via a licensed plumber or hydraulic consultant), the
existing property service pipe may be retained to service both dwellings.
Note: Where the development does not meet the definition of a ‘dwelling’ under the
provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 No. 46H, sub/check metering
arrangements will not be required, and the existing service may be utilised.
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11.8 Residential Caravan Parks
New Customer Contributions Payable
Option 1:
Separate meters may be
supplied via separate
tappings.
Option 2:
Sub metering is not permitted
by YVW on new dwellings or
proposed second dwellings
New Customer
Contributions
Deferrable-Dependant
Persons Unit Declaration
From Applicable
Option 3:
No subdivision.
No request for separate
meters.
Plumber/consultant report
required.
Plug existing 20mm water
service
tapping and install new 25mm
tapping and property service
pipe
where insufficient flows exist.
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13.3 Existing Multi-Occupancy residential and Non-residential
developments with no existing Sub/Check Meters
Definition
Water Metering
Servicing
In many existing developments (generally constructed prior to
1997) only a main water meter was provided with the water
usage being divided among the occupants of the individual
occupancies. In such cases some customers wish to install
individual water meters to allow them to monitor their water
usage.
YVW does not permit partial water metering of the existing
units. A letter from the Owners Corporation indicating all
property owners wish to have all lots metered by check meters is
required.
A separate tapping with a main water meter may be permitted to
service the dwellings /occupancies, however it must be
demonstrated that common water usage is not provided as part
of the plumbing installation.