What is a Sydney Water diagram?
A sewer service diagram is a plan of your property showing where the private sewer pipes run, where they connect to Sydney Water's sewer, and where Sydney Water's pipes are. It's useful before buying, before building, and whenever you've got a drainage problem. Here's how to get one, what it shows, and its limits.
What it shows
Your private sewer pipes
The route of the pipes from the house to the connection point, often with fixtures marked.
The connection point
Where your pipe joins Sydney Water's sewer, which tells you where your responsibility ends.
Sydney Water's mains
Whether the main runs through your yard or under the street, and where maintenance holes are.
Shared lines
Whether your sewer is shared with a neighbour. See party lines.
How to get one
Sydney Water provides diagrams through its online service, Sydney Water Tap in. You register or log in, then order diagrams and prints as PDFs. Conveyancers usually include one when you buy a property, so check your purchase documents first. We can also get it for you as part of a job.
The limits
- Older diagrams are often hand-drawn and approximate.
- Changes made later, such as extensions, new bathrooms or relocated pipes, may not be shown.
- Stormwater pipes usually aren't on the sewer diagram.
- Depths and pipe conditions aren't shown.
When the exact route matters, we trace the pipes with a camera and electronic locator and mark them on the ground. See CCTV drain inspection.
When you need one
- Before building near the sewer, such as a pool, extension, shed or driveway.
- When working out who is responsible for a blockage.
- When buying a property, to see if the main runs through the yard.
- Before adding a new bathroom or toilet. See toilet in an outside laundry.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
What is a sewer service diagram?
A plan showing your private sewer pipes, where they connect to Sydney Water's sewer, and Sydney Water's mains.
How do I get my Sydney Water sewer diagram?
Through Sydney Water Tap in online, or from your property purchase documents. We can get it as part of a job.
Are sewer diagrams accurate?
They're a useful guide, but older ones can be approximate and later changes may be missing.
Does the diagram show stormwater?
Usually not. Stormwater pipes need to be traced separately.
Related help: sewer responsibility guide, party lines, manholes in the yard, CCTV drain inspection and Before You Dig. Local pages: Matraville, Maroubra, Kensington and Botany. Browse all our plumbing guides.