In Sydney, property owners generally maintain private water pipes on the property side of the meter and private sewer pipes running to Sydney Water’s wastewater connection. Sydney Water generally maintains the water main, meter, wastewater junction and public network. Responsibility depends on the relevant connection point and service arrangement, not simply the property boundary.
Pipes the property owner maintains
The owner is generally responsible for:
- private water pipes after the meter
- internal pipes, taps, toilets and other fixtures
- private sewer pipes between the home and Sydney Water’s wastewater connection
- private pumps and other equipment serving the property.
Connection locations vary between properties. A private pipe may remain the owner’s responsibility even if it crosses the property boundary or neighbouring land.
Where several properties use a shared private pipe, the owners served by it may share responsibility. Easements, service arrangements or agreements can affect access and cost allocation, so check the property documents and Sydney Water’s guidance. In strata property, check who is responsible for strata plumbing and common-property pipes before authorising work.
Assets Sydney Water maintains
Sydney Water generally maintains:
- the public water main
- the water meter itself
- wastewater junctions
- public wastewater pipes and associated network infrastructure.
The owner must keep the meter accessible and avoid damaging it. Do not assume every pipe outside the property boundary belongs to Sydney Water; a private service can extend beyond that boundary before reaching the public network.
Responsibility for the pipe between the water main and meter can depend on the service arrangement and Sydney Water’s current repair policy. Confirm this section with Sydney Water before arranging repairs. For a drainage fault, separately check who is responsible for blocked or root-damaged drains in Sydney.
How to confirm responsibility safely
Identify whether the issue involves drinking water or sewer, then check its location against the meter, water main or wastewater connection using available service plans and Sydney Water’s current pipe-responsibility guidance.
Do not excavate, enter pits or open sewer infrastructure. For uncontrolled water, use a safely accessible stop tap to isolate the property supply if you can do so without risk. Avoid contact with sewage and keep others away from the area.
If ownership remains unclear, contact Sydney Water before authorising public-network work. For a suspected private sewer or drain fault, book our CCTV drain inspection team to locate the service and fault safely.