Australian Capital Territory
Utilities (Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code) Determination 2013 
Disallowable instrument DI2013–73
made under the  
Utilities Act 2000, s 59 (Determined codes) and s 63 (Public access)

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Utilities (Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code) Determination 2013.
2	Commencement 
This instrument commences the day after it is notified. 
3	Revocation of code
The Commission revokes the Utilities (Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code) Determination 2012 (DI2012-170). 
4	Determination of code
The Commission determines the attached Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code.
5	Public access to documents
Copies of the Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code are available for inspection by members of the public between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, at the Commission’s offices at Level 8, 221 London Circuit, Canberra City ACT and on the Commission’s website (www.icrc.act.gov.au). Copies of these documents can be made at the Commission’s offices. Electronic copies are available on request. No charge will apply.

Malcolm R Gray
Senior Commissioner
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
21 May 2013

Australian Capital Territory
 ICRC
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
	
	Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code
May 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.	APPLICATION AND PURPOSE OF THIS CODE	1
1.1	Application	1
1.2	Purpose	1
2.	DICTIONARY	1
2.1	Dictionary	1
3.	BOUNDARIES OF WATER NETWORK	1
3.1	Boundary between Water Networks	1
3.2	Boundary between Water Utility’s Network and Customer’s Premises	1
3.4	Alternative Boundary Between Water Network and Customer’s Premises	2
4.	BOUNDARIES OF SEWERAGE NETWORK	2
4.1	Boundary between Sewerage Networks	2
4.2	Boundary between Sewerage Network and Customer’s Premises	3
4.3	Alternative Boundary Between Sewerage Network and Customer’s Premises	3
DICTIONARY	4

1.	
APPLICATION AND PURPOSE OF THIS CODE
1.1	Application
This Code applies to Water Utilities and Sewerage Utilities.
1.2	Purpose
The purpose of this Code is to define the boundary between:
(1) 	Water Networks:
(a) the Water Network of one Water Utility and the Water Network of another Water Utility; and
(b) a Water Utility’s Water Network and a Customer’s Premises.
(2) 	Sewerage Networks:
(a) the Sewerage Network of one Sewerage Network and the Sewerage Network of another Sewerage Utility;
(b) a Sewerage Utility’s Sewerage Network and a Customer’s Premises.
2.	DICTIONARY
2.1	Dictionary 
The dictionary at the end of this Water and Sewerage Network Boundary Code is part of this Code.
3.	BOUNDARIES OF WATER NETWORK
3.1	Boundary between Water Networks
The boundary between the Water Network of one Water Utility and the Water Network of another Water Utility will be a designated point (or series of such points) as agreed between the Water Utilities involved. This agreement will include clarification of the ownership of any dedicated plant and/or fittings, such as water Meters, sampling points and monitoring and control systems that belong to one Water Utility but lie within the boundary of the other Water Utility’s Water Network. The boundary will be defined with the agreement of the Technical Regulator and advised to the ICRC.
3.2	Boundary between Water Utility’s Network and Customer’s Premises
(1)	The connection point between the water connection pipe of the Water Utility and the plumbing system of the Customer is the designated boundary. This is typically the outlet to the first isolating valve inside of the lease boundary where such a valve is in close proximity (1 metre) to the lease boundary.
(2)	The Meter and the threads on the Meter will remain the property of the Water Utility, irrespective of their location on the Customer’s water pipes.
(3)	Whilst the above definition will cover most situations in the Territory there are some exceptions that need further description:
(a)	where the isolating valve occurs outside of the Customer’s Premises, the Water Utility will take responsibility for any work required outside of the Premises, whilst the Customer will take responsibility for any work inside of the Premises;
(b)	where there is no isolating valve or the first isolating valve that occurs is not within close proximity to the Customer’s boundary, the Water Utility may install such a valve at the Customer’s expense;
(c)	where no lease boundary exists, or for specific applications such as irrigation of ovals, parks, gardens overhead filling points etc, the boundary will be defined through written agreement between the Customer and the Water Utility with the agreement of the Technical Regulator and advised to the ICRC;
(d)	where the water connection to the Customer’s Premises occurs through another Person’s Premises, the boundary is the outlet of the isolating valve in close proximity to the upstream Premises closest to the Watermain, with that Person assuming responsibility for the connection that traverses through their Premises; and
(e)	where a Customer’s water plumbing system serves a number of Premises, the point of supply to all the Premises is to the upstream Premises closest to the Watermain.
3.4	Alternative Boundary Between Water Network and Customer’s Premises
Despite any other provision in this Code, a Water Utility and a Customer may with the agreement of the Technical Regulator and advised to the ICRC:
(1)	agree in writing upon an alternative boundary between the Water Network and the Customer's Premises; and/or
(2)	define assets within a Customer's Premises to be part of the Water Network whether or not they are on the Customer's Premises.
4.	BOUNDARIES OF SEWERAGE NETWORK
4.1	Boundary between Sewerage Networks
The boundary between the Sewerage Network of one Sewerage Utility and the Sewerage Network of another Sewerage Utility will be a designated point (or series of such points) as agreed between the Sewerage Utilities involved. The boundary will be defined in writing with the agreement of the Technical Regulator and advised to the ICRC.
4.2	Boundary between Sewerage Network and Customer’s Premises
(1)	The connection point between the sewer connection pipe of the Sewerage Network and the house drainage system of the Customer is the designated boundary. Typically this is the collar immediately downstream of the last Inspection Opening (IO) on the Household Drains. This is usually known as the Designated Connection Point and is defined in terms of both distance and depth on the approved drainage plan.
(2)	Whilst the above definition will cover most situations in the Territory there are some exceptions that need further description:
(a)	where this Designated Connection Point occurs outside of the Customer’s Premises the Sewerage Utility will take responsibility for any work required outside of the Customer’s Premises whilst the Customer will take responsibility for any work inside of their Premises;
(b)	where the Sewerage Utility decides that the Designated Connection Point is outside of the Customer’s Premises, it may relocate that connection point to bring it back into the Customer’s Premises;
(c)	where the sewer connection to the Customer’s Premises occurs through another Person’s Premises then the Designated Connection Point remains as described at, or near, the boundary of the first or downstream Premises, with the owner of those Premises assuming responsibility for the connection that traverses through their Premises; and
(d)	where a Customer’s drainage system serves a number of Premises, the point of collection to all the Premises is to the downstream Premises closest to the network Sewermain.
4.3	Alternative Boundary Between Sewerage Network and Customer’s Premises
Despite any other provision in this Code, a Sewerage Utility and a Customer may with the agreement of the Technical Regulator and advised to the ICRC:
(1)	agree in writing upon an alternative boundary between the Sewerage Network and the Customer's Premises; and/or
(2)	define assets within a Customer's Premises to be part of the Sewerage Network whether or not they are on the Customer's Premises.

DICTIONARY
(1) “Act” means the Utilities Act 2000;
(2) “Customer” has the same meaning as defined under the Act;
(4) “Designated Connection Point” is that point referred to on the approved drainage plan, identifying where the Sewerage Network connection point for that property has been established;
(5) “ICRC” means the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission established under section 5 of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997 (ACT);
(6) “Meter” means a Meter or other apparatus for the measurement of water including any pipes and fittings ancillary to the meter or apparatus;
(7) “Person” includes a natural person, a firm, an unincorporated association or body corporate;
(8) “Premises” has the same meaning as in the Act;
(9) “Sewerage Network” has the same meaning and functions as defined under the Act;
(10) “Sewerage Utility” has the same meaning and functions as defined under the Act;
(11) “Sewermain” means a pipeline forming part of the Sewerage Utility’s Sewerage Network as defined in the Act;
(12) “Technical Regulator” means the administrative unit responsible for Part 5 of the Act;
(13) “Territory” means the Australian Capital Territory;
(14) “Utility” has the same meaning and functions as defined under the Act;
 (16) “Water Network” has the same meaning and functions as defined under the Act;
(17) "Water Services" means those services as defined in the Act;
(18) "Water Utility" is a Utility licensed under the Act to provide Water Services.