If you have a sewer maintenance structure, also known as a manhole, in your yard, it indicates there is a sewer running through your property.
We need to be able to access maintenance structures to undertake activities such as clearing blockages, routine cleaning, camera inspection or repair/replacement.
If you’re doing work on your property that affects the sewerage pipeline, you’ll need to lodge a Water Connection application in our Development Applications Portal
Tips to keep manholes/maintenance holes accessible
- Trim shrubs and grass around the manhole
- Avoid parking vehicles over the manhole
- Do not build any structures over the manhole, including establishing a garden on top of, or burying the manhole.
If you need assistance determining whether a sewer runs through your property or the size and depth of the sewer, you can request an engineering search.
Maintenance structure alterations
During construction or excavation at your property, you may need to make an alteration to the manhole.
How do I arrange for a manhole to be raised or lowered?
For all property types, submit a Property Service Connection application in our Developer Applications portal.
When completing your online application select 'Wastewater Alteration' under Connection details and provide details in the Additional Information section.
We will assess your application and identify the classification of the manhole. If it is classified as a G type maintenance structure and you are raising it up to one metre, we will give you the option of proceeding under our standard connection process. All other classifications of manholes, raising above one metre, and all lowering manhole applications will be processed under our endorsed consultant certification scheme for minor works.