Water main renewals

As water mains age, we replace the mains to ensure you have a reliable water supply. When a water main renewal is occurring in your area, we will communicate with you, throughout the course of the works.

Please click on the icons below to get more information about each step.

Works Begin

• You will receive a letter seven days prior to work commencing
• We will need access to your water meter to install a temporary water supply
• Works will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7.00am and 5.00pm
• Works typically take around four to six weeks
• There will be machinery, pipes and other materials stored in the street
• There will be some construction noise and traffic disruption 
• A contractor will complete the works on our behalf.

See a list of where we are working

Why do water mains need to be replaced?

We replace water mains when they have burst multiple times in recent years. Multiple bursts indicate that a pipe has come to the end of its life, which is typically at least 50 years. 

Can I drive in and out of my property and street?

You will have access to your street throughout our works but we may need to block your driveway for a short time to access the water pipes underneath it. Where possible we will notify you in advance and work with you to minimise the inconvenience.

Working on asbestos cement water pipes

If the water pipes we’re removing or connecting into are made of asbestos cement:

• You may see our contractors in protective clothing. This is only a precaution as the asbestos is bound in the pipe’s concrete and poses very low risk.
• Our contractors are highly experienced in undertaking this work safely, in line with WorkSafe Victoria practices
• Any asbestos related material will be handled, contained and removed according to strict Environment Protection Authority Victoria guidelines.

Are there any health risks from asbestos pipes?

Studies have found that there is no elevated risk of asbestos related diseases from drinking or using water delivered through asbestos cement pipes.

For more information, go to nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines.

Important information if you have a fire service or suppression system

• Water won’t be available to fire service and suppression systems while the water main is being replaced, unless we advise otherwise.
• If your property has a fire service/suppression system, we recommend you liaise with your building manager to establish an appropriate Fire Management Plan during these works.

Temporary Water Supply

• You will be connected to a temporary water supply, through a temporary above ground pipe
• To connect you, your water will be turned off for approximately 5 minutes
• You may receive a card in your letter box requesting access to your property, so we can connect this supply
• We may need to turn your water off for a few hours – we’ll let you know the time and date in advance if you will be affected

Why do water mains need to be replaced?

We replace water mains when they have burst multiple times in recent years. Multiple bursts indicate that a pipe has come to the end of its life, which is typically at least 50 years.

Can I drive in and out of my property and street?

You will have access to your street throughout our works but we may need to block your driveway for a short time to access the water pipes underneath it. Where possible we will notify you in advance and work with you to minimise the inconvenience.

Working on asbestos cement water pipes

If the water pipes we’re removing or connecting into are made of asbestos cement:

• You may see our contractors in protective clothing. This is only a precaution as the asbestos is bound in the pipe’s concrete and poses very low risk.
• Our contractors are highly experienced in undertaking this work safely, in line with WorkSafe Victoria practices
• Any asbestos related material will be handled, contained and removed according to strict Environment Protection Authority Victoria guidelines.

Are there any health risks from asbestos pipes?

Studies have found that there is no elevated risk of asbestos related diseases from drinking or using water delivered through asbestos cement pipes.

For more information, go to nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines.

Important information if you have a fire service or suppression system

• Water won’t be available to fire service and suppression systems while the water main is being replaced, unless we advise otherwise.
• If your property has a fire service/suppression system, we recommend you liaise with your building manager to establish an appropriate Fire Management Plan during these works.

Water Main Replaced

• You will receive a letter from us once the water main has been replaced
• At this stage we will temporarily patch any holes in the road or driveways to keep them safe
• We will return in the next few weeks to permanently restore the area
• If you notice any temporary repairs become unsafe, please call us immediately on 13 2762 

The road or footpath is sinking or causing a hazard, what should I do?

After we have temporarily repaired the area the bitumen can settle and sink. This occurs over time and particularly after rain.

If the temporary seal of bitumen on a road or footpath is causing a safety hazard, please call us on 13 2762 and we will come out to review it.

How do you fix concrete and bitumen surfaces including driveways, footpaths, roads, gutters and crossovers?

If we need to excavate concrete or bitumen surfaces to replace a water main, we will restore the area as close as possible to the condition we found it in. 

You will see that we use bitumen to temporarily patch these surfaces before we restore them permanently. 

When we permanently restore concrete or bitumen surfaces, we will use material that is as similar as possible to what existed before the work was done.

If you have coloured or patterned paving, we aim to restore it to the same colour and pattern, but exact matching can be a challenge. If this is of concern to you, please call us on 13 2762 to discuss the best way forward.

Will my nature strip be fixed?

We will have to dig up some of the nature strip to replace the water main and reconnect properties to the new main. When we have finished our work, we will replace the topsoil and reseed the nature strip.

The tree in the nature strip has been removed, will it be replaced?

Our aim is to keep all trees in nature strips, but it depends on the new water main’s location. Trees in nature strips are owned by the local council so if we have to remove one, we will advise them. Council will decide if the tree will be replaced and will plant a new tree in accordance with their works program.

Restoring Your Area

• We return to permanently restore the area
• We will replace the topsoil and reseed any impacted natured strips
• Please avoid parking on nature strips to allow grass to grow
• We will restore any impacted roads, driveways and footpaths
• We may need access to your driveway and the road outside your property to complete these works
• We will aim to notify you in advance if we need you to make temporary changes to where you park
• If you notice any temporary repairs become unsafe, please call us immediately on 13 2762.

The road or footpath is sinking or causing a hazard, what should I do?

After we have temporarily repaired the area the bitumen can settle and sink. This occurs over time and particularly after rain.

If the temporary seal of bitumen on a road or footpath is causing a safety hazard, please call us on 13 2762 and we will come out to review it.

How do you fix concrete and bitumen surfaces including driveways, footpaths, roads, gutters and crossovers?

If we need to excavate concrete or bitumen surfaces to replace a water main, we will restore the area as close as possible to the condition we found it in. 

You will see that we use bitumen to temporarily patch these surfaces before we restore them permanently. 

When we permanently restore concrete or bitumen surfaces, we will use material that is as similar as possible to what existed before the work was done.

If you have coloured or patterned paving, we aim to restore it to the same colour and pattern, but exact matching can be a challenge. If this is of concern to you, please call us on 13 2762 to discuss the best way forward.

Will my nature strip be fixed?

We will have to dig up some of the nature strip to replace the water main and reconnect properties to the new main. When we have finished our work, we will replace the topsoil and reseed the nature strip.

The tree in the nature strip has been removed, will it be replaced?

Our aim is to keep all trees in nature strips, but it depends on the new water main’s location. Trees in nature strips are owned by the local council so if we have to remove one, we will advise them. Council will decide if the tree will be replaced and will plant a new tree in accordance with their works program.

Works Complete

• You will receive a letter once we all works are complete
• We are aware of the impact these important works can have and thank you for your understanding and patience.
• We are always keen for your feedback, so someone may contact you. Please consider providing us feedback, so we can continue to improve our performance.
• If there is anything that seems incomplete, please do not hesitate to contact us on 13 2762

The road or footpath is sinking or causing a hazard, what should I do?

After we have temporarily repaired the area the bitumen can settle and sink. This occurs over time and particularly after rain.

If the temporary seal of bitumen on a road or footpath is causing a safety hazard, please call us on 13 2762 and we will come out to review it.

How do you fix concrete and bitumen surfaces including driveways, footpaths, roads, gutters and crossovers?

If we need to excavate concrete or bitumen surfaces to replace a water main, we will restore the area as close as possible to the condition we found it in. 

You will see that we use bitumen to temporarily patch these surfaces before we restore them permanently. 

When we permanently restore concrete or bitumen surfaces, we will use material that is as similar as possible to what existed before the work was done.

If you have coloured or patterned paving, we aim to restore it to the same colour and pattern, but exact matching can be a challenge. If this is of concern to you, please call us on 13 2762 to discuss the best way forward.

Will my nature strip be fixed?

We will have to dig up some of the nature strip to replace the water main and reconnect properties to the new main. When we have finished our work, we will replace the topsoil and reseed the nature strip.

The tree in the nature strip has been removed, will it be replaced?

Our aim is to keep all trees in nature strips, but it depends on the new water main’s location. Trees in nature strips are owned by the local council so if we have to remove one, we will advise them. Council will decide if the tree will be replaced and will plant a new tree in accordance with their works program.