Te āhei ki tā mātou kōtuinga waipara
Accessing our wastewater network
Learn how to apply for network access.
Delay in addressing works over requests
We are working through a significant backlog of tasks and requests and have prioritised them based on urgency and impact to ensure the most critical are addressed as promptly as possible. We are planning to bring on more team members to help speed up the process.
To gain entry to our wastewater network for any purpose you will need our authorisation. You will either need to make an access request or a connection request.
An access request is required when:
- Checking the depth of a manhole, raising/lowering a manhole and/or getting CCTV footage of the wasterwater pipes.
A connection request is required when:
- Doing repair work on a wastewater pipe or doing a live new connection of the property to the wastewater pipe.
Access request : information you need to provide1. A manhole ID from our GIS system
- Go to the GIS map
- Enter the site address, then click on the manhole you want to access. The wastewater pipes are shown as red lines, and the manholes are red circles
- The pop-up will include the ID number
- Attach the GIS map to the application
2. A copy of your Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) license card
- This will show the registration number and registration expiry
- For more information, please visit the board's website
3. Attach the methodology for the work you are planning to carry out
- This means you need to provide a detailed description of the proposed works
4. Attach the specific job safety analysis with the appropriate controls to manage hazards on site
5. The following information is also required:
- Applicant details
- Site and job details (address and access date)
- Billing details of the person paying the application fee
Then you will need to:
- Accept our terms and conditions
- Accept the declaration - which is a list of mandatory requirements for non-entry and entry into a manhole
See our wastewater access request form.
1. A manhole ID from our GIS system
- Go to the GIS map
- Enter the site address, then click on the manhole you want to access. The wastewater pipes are shown as red lines, and the manholes are red circles
- The pop-up will include the ID number
- Attach the GIS map to the application
2. A copy of your Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) license card
- This will show the registration number and registration expiry
- For more information, please visit the board's website
3. Attach the methodology for the work you are planning to carry out
- This means you need to provide a detailed description of the proposed works
4. Attach the specific job safety analysis with the appropriate controls to manage hazards on site
5. The following information is also required:
- Applicant details
- Site and job details (address and access date)
- Billing details of the person paying the application fee
Then you will need to:
- Accept our terms and conditions
- Accept the declaration - which is a list of mandatory requirements for non-entry and entry into a manhole
See our wastewater access request form.
Connection request: information you need to provide1. A manhole ID from our GIS system
- Go to the GIS map
- Enter the site address, then click on the manhole you want to access. The wastewater pipes are shown as red lines, and the manholes are red circles
- The pop-up will include the ID number
- Attach the GIS map to the application
2. A copy of your Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) license card
- This will show the registration number and registration expiry
- For more information, please visit the board's website
3. Attach the methodology for the work you are planning to carry out
- This means, you need to provide a detailed description of the proposed works
4. Attach the specific job safety analysis with the appropriate controls to manage hazards on site
5. The following information is also required:
- Applicant details
- Site and job details (address and access date)
- Billing details of the person paying the application fee
Then you will need to:
- Accept our terms and conditions
- Accept the declaration - which is a list of mandatory requirements for non-entry and entry into a manhole
See our wastewater connection request form.
1. A manhole ID from our GIS system
- Go to the GIS map
- Enter the site address, then click on the manhole you want to access. The wastewater pipes are shown as red lines, and the manholes are red circles
- The pop-up will include the ID number
- Attach the GIS map to the application
2. A copy of your Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) license card
- This will show the registration number and registration expiry
- For more information, please visit the board's website
3. Attach the methodology for the work you are planning to carry out
- This means, you need to provide a detailed description of the proposed works
4. Attach the specific job safety analysis with the appropriate controls to manage hazards on site
5. The following information is also required:
- Applicant details
- Site and job details (address and access date)
- Billing details of the person paying the application fee
Then you will need to:
- Accept our terms and conditions
- Accept the declaration - which is a list of mandatory requirements for non-entry and entry into a manhole
See our wastewater connection request form.
Terms and conditions- The work must be carried out in accordance with Watercare codes of practice and standard operating procedures, without damage to the wastewater network.
- The person carrying out the work must complete a job safety analysis with appropriate controls to manage traffic, pedestrians, biological substances, gases (methane, hydrogen sulphide), animals, illegal substances and any other hazards relevant to the work. The work must be carried out in accordance with the controls in the job safety analysis.
- All other necessary approvals, permits and notifications (for example approvals from Vector or WorkSafe, or traffic management approval from Auckland Transport) must be obtained before work begins.
- If any Watercare assets are damaged in carrying out the work, those on site must notify Watercare immediately on 09 442 2222. All costs associated with the repair will be recovered by Watercare.
- If asset faults such as a blocked public pipe or a cracked manhole lid are discovered, Watercare must be notified immediately. • A copy of this approval must be kept on site at all times.
- All staff must carry photo identification.
- Nothing in this approval, including the conditions of approval, limits Watercare’s rights and powers under the Water Supply and Wastewater Network Bylaw 2015 or any Act (in particular the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the Local Government Act 2002) and/or under the general law in relation to the protection of its network, and/or liability by the company or any other person for damage, misuse or interference to its network.
- Watercare’s approval is limited to authorising access to its wastewater network, as specified in this application. Watercare has no liability to the company accessing the network, or any other person in relation to the works carried out or any consequences of those works.
- The work must be carried out in accordance with Watercare codes of practice and standard operating procedures, without damage to the wastewater network.
- The person carrying out the work must complete a job safety analysis with appropriate controls to manage traffic, pedestrians, biological substances, gases (methane, hydrogen sulphide), animals, illegal substances and any other hazards relevant to the work. The work must be carried out in accordance with the controls in the job safety analysis.
- All other necessary approvals, permits and notifications (for example approvals from Vector or WorkSafe, or traffic management approval from Auckland Transport) must be obtained before work begins.
- If any Watercare assets are damaged in carrying out the work, those on site must notify Watercare immediately on 09 442 2222. All costs associated with the repair will be recovered by Watercare.
- If asset faults such as a blocked public pipe or a cracked manhole lid are discovered, Watercare must be notified immediately. • A copy of this approval must be kept on site at all times.
- All staff must carry photo identification.
- Nothing in this approval, including the conditions of approval, limits Watercare’s rights and powers under the Water Supply and Wastewater Network Bylaw 2015 or any Act (in particular the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the Local Government Act 2002) and/or under the general law in relation to the protection of its network, and/or liability by the company or any other person for damage, misuse or interference to its network.
- Watercare’s approval is limited to authorising access to its wastewater network, as specified in this application. Watercare has no liability to the company accessing the network, or any other person in relation to the works carried out or any consequences of those works.