Stormwater connection
Building over or near our assets
Applications are currently under maintenance.
You need our formal approval before you can work on any new or modified stormwater connection.
With the continuing development of new housing in green field areas and also in-fill housing in brown field areas, developers need to design drainage systems to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater entering receiving waters. Open waterways, channels and underground drains are part of the stormwater system.
Application process
Step 1
For any new or modified stormwater connection, developers need to contact their local council, who will nominate the legal point of stormwater discharge,
Step 2
If the local council nominates one of our drains or watercourses as the legal point of discharge:
- developers will need our formal approval before they can work on our drainage system.
- developers will also need to apply to us for upgrades to existing connections to our stormwater system.
Note: connection to our drainage asset is normally through an outlet to a surface channel (either natural or constructed), or an inlet to an underground pipe system.
Connections must meet our technical requirements, however may differ depending on whether a stormwater outlet or inlet is being built.
Important: Works can only be performed by our Eligible Drainage Contractors. All contractors who carry out works on live assets are required to have the required authorities to work.
Prior to the commencement of works on Melbourne Water’s asset, the contractor must contact Melbourne Water’s Asset Services Team on 131 722 for approval to work on a live asset(s). Inspections will be undertaken at different stages of the works. The letter of approval will confirm requirements. Penalties apply for un-authorised works. Any works undertaken without Melbourne Water approval will be considered illegal under the Water Act 1989.
Step 3
If we approve a stormwater connection, we will send a letter to the developer outlining any specific conditions that must be meet as part of our approval.
A written acceptance to comply with our conditions and payment of the relevant fees is required.
Approvals from other authorities
We may need evidence of approvals from other authorities or private owners who may be affected by your works.
Check that you comply with other laws that may affect your development, such as Special Building Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.
Check connection requirements
All work on new or modified stormwater connection into our drains, waterways or open drainage channels must meet our technical requirements.
Documents required
Your application should include:
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a legal point of discharge advice from council
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preliminary plans
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additional approvals from other authorities or private owners who may be affected by your works
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any other documents that are relevant to your proposal
Approvals
If we approve your stormwater connection, we will send you a letter outlining any specific conditions you must meet as part of our approval.
You must respond with a written acceptance to comply with our conditions and pay the relevant fees.
Prior to the commencement of works on Melbourne Water’s asset, the contractor must contact Melbourne Water’s Asset Services Team on (03) 9679 6614 for approval/permits on a live asset(s). Penalties apply for unauthorised works.
All contractors who carry out works on live assets are required to have a Permit to work. For underground drains and concrete can only be performed by our Preferred Contractors.
Inspections may be required at different stages of the works, a letter of approval will confirm this requirement.
Please refer to inspection of work.
Duration
We are currently receiving a high volume of applications due to growth in demand for our services, which has unfortunately created significant delays. We acknowledge your patience and will make every effort to process your applications as soon as we can. View our current processing times.
Fees (non-refundable)
Fees differ depending on the type of stormwater connection you require. We will advise you of the amount once we assess your application.
Please note this application fee is non-refundable.
Fees and security for construction, works and connections.
Guidelines or standards
There are two types of connections – stormwater inlet (underground drains) and stormwater outlet to an open waterway or drain. All work must meet our technical requirements: