Some properties in Selwyn have their own private wastewater system, others are connected to our wastewater network.
We maintain the public wastewater network to each property boundary and manage the treatment and disposal of wastewater from the network.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining any pipes from the boundary to and within their home. All connections to our wastewater system must be approved in advance and carried out by a suitably qualified private contractor of your choice, and must be completed under Selwyn Water supervision.
If you're building a new home that involves a wastewater connection, we recommend seeking advice from a drainlayer, architect, engineer or other qualified person early in the process.
Before connecting to the wastewater network:
- A building consent from the Council is always required to connect to our wastewater network
- Once your building consent is granted please submit a New Wastewater (sewer) Connection or Alteration Application form (below) well in advance of the planned connection date (minimum 10 working days) to allow for our review and scheduling. Please contact development@selwynwater.co.nz to book this in.
Trade waste
If your development or subdivision is for a commercial site/business, you may need to hold a trade waste permit.
Find out more about trade waste.
Private wastewater systems
Residential properties without access to our wastewater network must have a private wastewater tank and pressure system installed.
Responsibility for wastewater pipes
Selwyn Water owns and maintains the wastewater network up to your property boundary – including pipes, pump stations and treatment plants.
From the boundary into your home, the pipes and connections are your responsibility to maintain.
Your responsibility
Property owners are responsible for identifying the boundaries of their land and any privately owned infrastructure. Your Certificate of Title shows the boundary between private, public, and common land, as well as ownership of wastewater pipes and other services on your property, including those within easements (such as private lanes or a right of way).
Your solicitor should have explained your rights and responsibilities when you purchased the property. If you need a copy of your property title, it can be ordered through Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), which provides step-by-step guidance on its website.
Selwyn Water’s responsibility
Selwyn Water owns and maintains all wastewater pipes, tanks, and laterals located on public land. This typically includes infrastructure running from the front boundary of a property on one side of a public street to the front boundary of properties on the opposite side.
For more information, refer to Selwyn District Council’s Wastewater Drainage Bylaw.
Apply now
New Wastewater (sewer) Connection or Alteration Application form
If you don’t already have one, you will be prompted to sign-up for a MyWater account before completing the online application.