Building or widening a driveway
Building or widening a driveway might seem like a minor renovation, but it can impact your water meter and you may need to factor in moving the meter as part of your project. If your driveway changes are part of a bigger renovation, you will also need to have a building application approved by Icon Water before any work begins.
This information should be read together with the following pages:
Step 1: Find out what's in the ground
We recommend contacting Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). This free service will provide plans showing Icon Water’s assets (as well as assets for telecommunications, electricity, gas and stormwater) in your work area.
Once you’ve located our assets, confirm their location (they might have shifted from what is shown on plans because of past activities, erosion, subsidence or the slope of the land). For step-by-step instructions see How to Locate Icon Water Assets.
You may also want to find out where your own services are on your property (like the pipes that run from your water meter into your house) before you start digging. Ask a plumber, electrician or visit Access Canberra. These internal service lines belong to you and we don’t keep records of them at Icon Water.
Step 2: Check for easements
An easement is a section of your property that others have the right to use and access in specific situations, to keep your water, sewer, stormwater, electricity, or gas services working properly.
Because of this, you can’t build any permanent structures over easements, even if they don’t contain infrastructure. Easements are usually shown on your title or lease document. You can also search your property, and find more information about any easements, at ACTmapi.
Step 3: Check how close you can build to Icon Water infrastructure
When planning and building a new structure there are two important guides as to how close you can build to our infrastructure – the Pipe Protection Envelope (PPE) and the Zone of Influence (ZOI).
Pipe Protection Envelope: Your structure must be outside the Pipe Protection Envelope (or PPE). This is a space above and below ground surrounding our pipes and other infrastructure. The exact width and height of the PPE will vary depending on the type and depth of our pipe. You must keep this space clear so we can safely excavate our pipe without undermining your structure. More about the Pipe Protection Envelope for pipe types;
- Gravity sewer pipes: the PPE width depends on the size of the pipe and its depth below the ground. The height above ground of the PPE for gravity sewer pipes depends on the depth and diameter of the pipe.
- Pressurised pipes (such as water mains and pumped sewer mains): the PPE width depends on the size of the pipe and its depth below the ground. The height above ground of the PPE for pressurised pipes in infinite, i.e. no overhanging structures such as roof eaves can extend over the PPE
- For very deep pipes we might need to use specialised excavation equipment. This equipment takes up more space so please contact us for further advice.
The dimensions of the PPE and easements may be different. Your proposed structure must comply with both requirements.
Zone of Influence: You also need to consider the ‘Zone of Influence’ (or ZOI). This is the area below the ground either side of a pipe where the weight of your structure will impact or place pressure on our pipes and may cause them to crack or break (older pipes are particularly vulnerable). This is different to the PPE.
You can build in the ZOI if you take additional measures that allow the weight of your structure to be supported away from our pipe and outside the PPE.
Step 4: See if your water meter needs to be moved
Water meters are often located next to existing driveways so they are easy to find – but they cannot be placed in driveways in the ACT.
This means if you want to widen your driveway you will probably need to move the meter first.
This is so we can always access your meter to read or replace it, and turn your water off in an emergency. It’s difficult to do this if cars are parked over meters, especially at night.
Step 5: If you’re moving your meter, find a suitable location
How far you can move your meter depends on a few things:
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Water meters must be located on the property they serve – we can’t move your meter out onto the footpath.
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Meters need to be at least outside the drip line, or canopy, of trees and shrubs, because as trees grow and their roots expand, they can damage water lines and services. Consider the size of the fully grown tree, not its size right now, otherwise you may have to move your meter again later.
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Meters need to be at least one (1) metre away from the edge of your driveway, to minimise cars accidently driving over them. Even though meters are in ‘boxes’, driving over them can cause the box to break and the meter to be damaged.
Step 6: Consider how meter readers will reach your meter
Think about how our meter readers can access or find your meter. This avoids us having to estimate your water use.
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If you are planning a new front fence, rockery or shrubs and flowers, can the meter be accessed easily or will meter readers have to move rocks or walk through your new garden bed?
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Will the meter be behind a locked gate? If so, you may have to arrange for us to have access.
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Will the top of the meter box be level with the surrounding ground, or does it need to be raised? Boxes that are lower than the ground collect surface water and silt which might mean we can’t read your meter. It’s your responsibility to ensure we can read the numbers clearly otherwise we will estimate your bill based on previous readings.
Does it cost to move a water meter?
Yes, it does. The cost of moving a meter depends on how much work is required – the further away from its original location, the higher the cost.
Moving a water meter less than one (1) metre either side (along the boundary line) is simple and can usually be done without too much impact to your water service line (the line from our main to your meter) and the internal line to your house.
Moving a water meter more than one (1) metre is more complicated because you will need a new service line from the main, and the old service line will need to be removed. You will also need to organise a plumber to reconnect your internal service line once the meter has been moved.
Step 7: Prepare and submit the necessary application/s
Once you know where you want to move your water meter:
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Download and read through our guide to water meter relocation.
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Talk to us. Our customer service team can help you understand the process and can put you in touch with the right people in Icon Water if required.
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Draw up a plan of what you would like to do:
If you’re just widening or moving your driveway, a simple sketch will do.
If it’s part of a larger project (such as a new house, extension or construction of a garage) then include the driveway in your building application plans. See What makes a good building plan (you can also submit your application from this page) for more information.
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Once you’ve received our advice on your proposal and made any necessary changes, lodge a request to relocate your water meter. Lodging an application doesn’t cost anything and we will be able to tell you how much it will cost to move your meter and how long it will take.
Following these steps will help your project run smoothly.
We’re always happy to help
For general queries, you can contact us directly at talktous@iconwater.com.au. Our team will do their best to respond within 24 hours.
If you need a bit more assistance, or just prefer talking to a person, you can call us on 02 6248 3111 (select option 3).