Technical requirements
Information to help you understand our requirements where it is not possible to work outside the Prescribed Proximities of our assets.
Where it is not possible to work outside the Prescribed Proximities of our assets, we may identify specific requirements that apply to your work.
Review Section 8 of our working near our assets guidelines to find out about our technical requirements for different types of work.
Please read and understand all sections of the guideline that apply to your work – there may be more than one section that is relevant.
The ground cover (depth from ground level to top of pipe) over buried assets provides support and protection from excessive loads and damage.
The table below provides a guide to our minimum cover requirements for different types of assets depending on their location.
| Type of asset | Location | Minimum cover |
|---|---|---|
| Trunk and distribution water mains | Road reserves, car parks and other trafficable areas Parklands, private property and other non-trafficable areas |
1500mm 600mm |
| Water reticulation | Road reserves, car parks and other non-trafficable areas Parklands, private property and other non-trafficable areas |
600mm 600mm |
| Sewer reticulation and sewer mains | Road reserves, car parks and other trafficable areas Parklands, private property and other non-trafficable areas |
900mm 750mm |
| Sewer and drainage pressure mains | Freeways and other primary distributor roads Other trafficable areas as well as parklands, private property and other non-trafficable areas |
1500mm 900mm |
| Main drains | Road reserves, car parks and other trafficable areas Parklands private property and other non-trafficable areas |
900mm 750mm |
| Residential service connections | Road reserves, car parks and other trafficable areas Parklands private property and other non-trafficable areas |
450mm 450mm |
Maintaining adequate clearance distances to other services is essential to ensure adequate access for future maintenance, repairs or replacement. Some of our requirements for access include:
- an access way of at least 1.0m wide is to be maintained around the edge of sewer and drain maintenance structures at all times
- a headroom of at least 2.4m is to be maintained at all times between ground level and the underside of an overhanging structure such as a roof.
Where other underground services (such as gas mains, power cables, telecommunication cables) cross our assets, the following clearances shall apply:
| Diameter of our asset | Minimum clearance for services installed by open excavation | Minimum clearance for service crossings installed by trenchless excavation |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 300mm | At least 150mm | At least 150mm + equipment accuracy (mm) |
| 300mm or greater | At least 300mm | At least 300mm + equipment accuracy (mm) |
All services should cross at, or close to right angles to our assets.
More information
If you need further advice on applying the requirements or if you need additional information not covered in the working near our assets guidelines or damage prevention brochure, please email pos_enquiries@watercorporation.com.au.