{"id":"sl-2001-2","name":"Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001","slug":"water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"2 of 2001","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173941,"registerId":"act-sl-2001-2-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nSL2001-2\nmade under the\nWater and Sewerage Act 2000\nRepublication No 24\nEffective: 26 November 2025\nRepublication date: 26 November 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001, made under the Water and\nSewerage Act 2000 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3\n(Editorial changes)) as in force on 26 November 2025. It also includes any commencement,\namendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 26 November 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nmade under the\nWater and Sewerage Act 2000\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\n5 Construction of standards consistent with regulation 2\n5A Offences against regulation—application of Criminal Code etc 3\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\n6 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage—work to conform to\nplumbing code 4\n7 Work to conform to approved plan 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7A Notice of plan approval—Act, s 8 (5) 5\n7B No reconsideration for plan amendment—Act, s 9 (3) 5\n8 Notice to be given about work done 6\n9 Testing of sanitary plumbing and drains 7\n10 Notification after completion of work 7\n12 Separate drainage systems 8\n13 Disconnecting combined drainage systems 9\n14 Cover to interceptor traps and accessholes 9\n15 Rain and surface waters not to be discharged into sewers etc 10\n16 Requirements for toilets—Act, s 17 (1) (b) 10\n16A Building in separated sanitary drainage for grey water 12\n16B Preservation of separated sanitary drainage for grey water 14\n16C Overflow from grey water disposal system 14\n16D Retrofitting backflow prevention devices 15\nPart 3 Water supply\n16E Water efficiency requirements—water supply and sanitary plumbing\nwork—Act, s 17A (1) (b) 17\n17 Notice about work on water service 18\n18 Water supply—work to conform to plumbing code 18\n19 Inspection of work etc 19\n20 Testing of water plumbing 19\n21 Notification after completion of work—water services 20\n22 Backflow prevention device 20\n23 Water pumping appliance not to be connected without permission 22\n24 Connecting pipe with steam-boilers 23\n24A Building in separated rainwater supply service 23\n24B Installing rainwater supply service 25\nPart 4 Certificates of compliance\n25 Certificate of compliance 26\nPart 5 Notification and review of decisions\n26 Reviewable decisions—Act, s 44, def reviewable decision 27\n27 Right of review and notice—Act, s 44A and s 44B (a) 27\n\nContents\nPage\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Plumbing code\n28 Documents forming part of plumbing code—Act, s 44C (1), def\nplumbing code, par (b) 28\nSchedule 1 Reviewable decisions 29\nDictionary 30\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 33\n2 Abbreviation key 33\n3 Legislation history 34\n4 Amendment history 37\n5 Earlier republications 42\n\n\n\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nmade under the\nWater and Sewerage Act 2000\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire regulation unless the\ndefinition, or another provision of the regulation, provides otherwise or\nthe contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and\ns 156 (1)).\n4 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n5 Construction of standards consistent with regulation\n(1) The standards mentioned in this regulation are to be applied in a way\nthat is consistent with this regulation, unless the contrary appears\nfrom this regulation.\n(2) A standard is to be taken to be consistent with this regulation to the\nextent that it is capable of operating concurrently with this regulation.\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 5A\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5A Offences against regulation—application of Criminal\nCode etc\nOther legislation applies to an offence against this regulation.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this\nregulation (see Code, pt 2.1):\n• s 16A-s 16D\n• s 24A\n• s 24B\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used\nfor offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 6\npage 4 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary\ndrainage\n6 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage—work to\nconform to plumbing code\n(1) A person must not do work on a sanitary plumbing system or sanitary\ndrainage system that communicates with the sewerage system unless\nthe work is done in accordance with the requirements of the plumbing\ncode.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) A person must not install plumbing and drainage products in a\nsanitary plumbing system or sanitary drainage system that\ncommunicates with the sewerage system unless the work is done in\naccordance with the requirements of the plumbing code.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if—\n(a) the requirements of the plumbing code are inconsistent with\nstandards mentioned in this regulation; and\n(b) the work was done in accordance with this regulation.\n7 Work to conform to approved plan\n(1) A person must not do work on a sanitary plumbing system or a\nsanitary drainage system unless the work is done in accordance with\nthe plan approved by the certifier under the Act, section 8 (Issue of\nplan approvals).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to work on a sanitary plumbing system\nor a sanitary drainage system for a single residential building.\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 7A\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7A Notice of plan approval—Act, s 8 (5)\nThe notice must contain the following information:\n(a) the address of the land from which the raw or treated sewage, or\nby-product, is to be discharged;\n(b) the kind of discharge and how much is expected to be\ndischarged;\n(c) the number and kind of sanitary fixtures that are likely to\ncontribute to the discharge;\n(d) a description of any treatment or storage of the discharge before\nits discharge;\n(e) details of where and how the sewage will discharge, including\ndetails of any irrigation system, water reuse system, septic\ntanking system, absorption system, discharge into drainage\nsystems or other discharge system.\n7B No reconsideration for plan amendment—Act, s 9 (3)\n(1) A proposed amendment to a plan does not require reconsideration of\nthe plan approval if the only amendment to the plan is to the length\nand alignment of pipework only.\n(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply if the amendment would—\n(a) change the point of connection of the pipework to an outlet,\nfixture or appliance; or\n(b) change the point of connection of the pipework to a sewage\nnetwork or its primary water supply; or\n(c) increase the branching of the pipework; or\n(d) add a run of pipework not shown in the plan.\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 8\npage 6 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Notice to be given about work done\n(1) A person who does sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work must\ntell the construction occupations registrar when the work is ready for\ninspection.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) A person who does sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work must\nleave the work uncovered and convenient for inspection until\nwhichever of the following happens first:\n(a) the work is inspected and approved by an inspector;\n(b) an inspector advises the person that an inspection is not required;\n(c) if the work is sanitary plumbing work—the end of 2 working\ndays after the construction occupations registrar was told that\nthe work was ready for inspection.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n(3) However, subsection (2) does not apply to the covering of\nuninspected sanitary drainage work if—\n(a) the licensee responsible for the sanitary drainage work is\nsatisfied on reasonable grounds that part of the work is being, or\nis about to be, significantly damaged by flooding caused by a\nstorm; and\n(b) the part of the work is temporarily covered by the minimum\namount of soil necessary to avoid the damage; and\n(c) if, during an inspection, the inspector requires any part of the\ntemporary covering to be removed to assist inspection—the\nlicensee—\n(i) removes the covering to the inspector’s satisfaction; or\n(ii) arranges for another inspection to take place after the\ncovering is removed.\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 9\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) A person who does sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work must,\nwhile the work is being done, keep on the premises a copy of the plan\napproval showing any minor variations to the approved plan.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n9 Testing of sanitary plumbing and drains\n(1) Sanitary plumbing and drains must be tested in accordance with\nAS/NZS 3500—\n(a) before it is passed by an inspector; and\n(b) if a drain is altered or repaired—before the alterations or repairs\nare passed by an inspector.\n(2) If a person does sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work that is\nto be tested, the person must supply apparatus, tools, and labour for\nthe test, whether or not any part of the test is to be done by an\ninspector.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n(3) A person who did sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work that is\nbeing tested must rectify any of the work that the test finds defective.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) Sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work is to be taken not to be\nin accordance with the plumbing code if the person who did the work\ndoes not supply apparatus, tools, and labour sufficient to allow the\nwork to be tested under this section.\n10 Notification after completion of work\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work has been inspected\nand approved; or\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 12\npage 8 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) an inspector has advised the person who did the work that an\ninspection is not required.\n(2) A person who does sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage work must,\nif satisfied that the work has been completed in accordance with this\nregulation and the plumbing code, within 7 days after completion of\nthe work, give the construction occupations registrar—\n(a) a statement of the work completed; and\n(b) evidence of payment of inspection fees under this regulation;\nand\n(c) a copy of—\n(i) if the work relates to a single residential building—\na drainage plan on which there is endorsed a certificate that\nthe plan is a true record of the work carried out; or\n(ii) in any other case—an approved drainage plan on which\nthere is endorsed a certificate that the plan is a true record\nof the work carried out.\nNote A certificate of compliance for plumbing or sanitary drainage work\ncannot be issued under s 25 unless the construction occupations registrar\nis satisfied that the work complies with this regulation. The registrar may\nonly be able to be so satisfied if the statement, evidence and plan about\nthe work has been given.\n12 Separate drainage systems\n(1) The drainage of each dwelling or building must be separate from\nanother dwelling or building.\n(2) Despite subsection (1), the construction occupations registrar may\napprove a combined drainage system, if satisfied that special reasons\nexist for doing so.\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 13\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n13 Disconnecting combined drainage systems\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) the drainage system of a dwelling or building (the first dwelling\nor building) is combined with the drainage system of a dwelling\nor building on another parcel of land; and\n(b) the combined drainage system is in the other parcel of land; and\n(c) the combined drainage system was installed before\n1 March 1999; and\n(d) significant work has to be done on the drainage system of the\nfirst dwelling or building.\n(2) A person doing significant work must—\n(a) disconnect the existing drainage pipes from the combined\ndrainage system; and\n(b) if no separate drainage system is in place for the dwelling or\nbuilding—install a separate system; and\n(c) connect the first dwelling or building to that drainage system.\n(3) In this section:\nsignificant work means work where—\n(a) drains to more than 1/2 the fixtures are altered; or\n(b) the number of fixtures is increased by more than 1/2.\n14 Cover to interceptor traps and accessholes\nAn interceptor trap and accesshole must—\n(a) be carried to ground level; and\n(b) be fitted at that level with approved cast-iron airtight covers.\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 15\npage 10 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n15 Rain and surface waters not to be discharged into sewers\netc\n(1) A person must not discharge, or allow to be discharged, any\nrainwater, surface water or stormwater into—\n(a) a sewerage network; or\n(b) a drain communicating with a sewerage network; or\n(c) a sanitary fixture or drainage apparatus used in connection with\na drain mentioned in paragraph (b).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An inlet to a drain must be built and maintained in a way and at a\nlevel that prevents the flow of rainwater, surface water or stormwater\ninto the drain.\n(3) A person may apply in writing to the responsible utility for an\nexemption from subsection (1).\n(4) The responsible utility may exempt a person from compliance with\nsubsection (1) only if satisfied that the pollution and the volume of\nwater that would enter the network, drain, fixture or apparatus would\nnot detrimentally affect the sewerage system.\n(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is exempt under this\nsection.\n(6) For this section, if rainwater, surface water or stormwater is part of a\nwater service or hot-water system, the water is taken to not be\nrainwater, surface water or stormwater.\n16 Requirements for toilets—Act, s 17 (1) (b)\n(1) The following requirements are prescribed:\n(a) if a closet pan and cistern are to be installed—the pan must be a\nreduced-flush closet pan and the cistern a dual-flush reduced\nvolume cistern;\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 16\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) if a closet pan only is to be installed—the pan must be a\nreduced-flush closet pan;\n(c) if a cistern is to be installed that is connected to an existing\nfull-flush closet pan—the cistern must be a separate dual-flush\ncistern that—\n(i) is of at least 11L capacity; and\n(ii) gives an effective full-flush not larger than 10L, and for\ntest purposes, 9L; and\n(iii) gives an effective half-flush not larger than 5.5L, and for\ntest purposes, 4.5L;\n(d) if a cistern is to be installed that is connected to an existing\nreduced-flush closet pan—the cistern must be a dual-flush\nreduced volume cistern;\n(e) if a closet pan is to be flushed with water drawn from a central\nstorage cistern installed before 1 January 1994 and—\n(i) the pan is a full-flush closet pan—the pan must be flushed\nwith an effective full-flush not exceeding 10L and for test\npurposes, 9L; or\n(ii) the pan is a reduced-flush closet pan—the pan must be\nflushed with an effective full-flush not exceeding 10L and\nfor test purposes, either 6L or 9L;\n(f) the pan may be flushed with a half-flush of at least 4.5L and not\nexceeding 5.5L if a full-flush closet pan is to be flushed—\n(i) with water drawn from a central storage cistern; and\n(ii) by control fittings that allow the user to decide whether to\ngive a full-flush or half-flush;\n(g) the pan may be flushed with a half-flush of at least 3L and not\nexceeding 4L if a reduced-flush closet pan is to be flushed—\n(i) with water drawn from a central storage cistern; and\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 16A\npage 12 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) by control fittings that allow the user to decide whether to\ngive a full-flush or half-flush;\n(h) if a central storage cistern installation is to be installed—\n(i) reduced-flush closet pans must be installed; and\n(ii) control fittings must be installed that automatically control\nthe amount of water used in a way that each flush uses—\n(A) on a full-flush—at least 6L and not exceeding 7L; or\n(B) on a half-flush—at least 3L and not exceeding 4L.\n(2) In this section:\ndual-flush reduced volume cistern means a cistern that has the\ncapacity to—\n(a) give an effective full-flush not exceeding 7L and for test\npurposes 6L; and\n(b) give an effective half-flush not exceeding 4L and for test\npurposes 3L.\nfull-flush closet pan means a closet pan that is a full-flush pan under\nAS 1172, as in force from time to time.\nreduced-flush closet pan means a closet pan that is a reduced-flush\npan under AS 1172, as in force from time to time.\n16A Building in separated sanitary drainage for grey water\n(1) This section applies to sanitary drainage work or sanitary plumbing\nwork—\n(a) done in relation to the erection, or extension of the floor area, of\na single residential building (other than a building or part of a\nbuilding that is a garage) (the building); and\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 16A\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) for a sanitary drain or sanitary plumbing (applicable sanitary\ndrainage or plumbing) from a separated grey water waste\nfixture that is located on—\n(i) a ground floor of the building; or\n(ii) a floor of the building that does not have a lower floor\ndirectly below the waste fixture; and\n(c) that is not, or is not to be, supplied with pumped sewage.\n(2) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee installs applicable sanitary drainage or plumbing to\nwhich this section applies; and\n(b) the applicable sanitary drainage or plumbing does not drain to a\ngrey water point.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee installs applicable sanitary drainage or plumbing to\nwhich this section applies that drains to a grey water point; and\n(b) a sanitary drain or sanitary plumbing (additional sanitary\ndrainage or plumbing) is connected to the applicable sanitary\ndrainage or plumbing between the separated grey water waste\nfixture and the grey water point; and\n(c) the additional sanitary drainage or plumbing is connected to a\nsanitary fixture that is not a separated grey water waste fixture.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 16B\npage 14 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16B Preservation of separated sanitary drainage for grey\nwater\n(1) This section applies to a sanitary drain or sanitary plumbing in a\nsingle residential building if the only sanitary fixtures connected to\nthe drain or plumbing are separated grey water waste fixtures.\n(2) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee connects a sanitary drain or sanitary plumbing\n(additional sanitary drainage or plumbing) to a sanitary drain\nor sanitary plumbing to which this section applies between a\nseparated grey water waste fixture and a grey water point; and\n(b) the additional sanitary drainage or plumbing is connected to a\nsanitary fixture that is not a separated grey water waste fixture.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\nExample\nIn a single residential building, there is a sanitary drain connected only to the bath,\nthe hand basin in the bathroom, a shower and the laundry tub (all separated grey\nwater waste fixtures). Jodie, a licensee, connects the kitchen sink (not a separated\ngrey water waste fixture) to the drain at a point between the laundry tub and a grey\nwater point. The connection of the kitchen sink to the drain is an offence against\nthis section.\n16C Overflow from grey water disposal system\n(1) This section applies to sanitary drainage work or sanitary plumbing\nwork—\n(a) to install a grey water disposal system; or\n(b) to change a grey water disposal system—\n(i) to change the location of a discharge point; or\n(ii) to increase the number of sanitary fixtures served by the\nsystem; or\n\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage Part 2\nSection 16D\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) to reduce the amount of grey water that the system can\nstore or dispose of; or\n(iv) to change the method of storage or disposal of grey water.\n(2) However, this section applies in relation to a grey water disposal\nsystem for premises only if the premises are, or are to be, connected\nto a sewerage network.\n(3) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee does sanitary drainage work or sanitary plumbing\nwork to which this section applies in relation to a grey water\ndisposal system; and\n(b) the system as installed or changed does not provide for grey\nwater to drain automatically to a sewerage network if—\n(i) the system is obstructed; or\n(ii) the system receives more grey water than the system can\nproperly dispose of; or\n(iii) the system overflows.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n16D Retrofitting backflow prevention devices\n(1) This section applies to sanitary drainage work or sanitary plumbing\nwork (applicable work)—\n(a) to install a grey water disposal system; or\n(b) to change a grey water disposal system—\n(i) to change the location of a discharge point; or\n(ii) to increase the number of sanitary fixtures served by the\nsystem; or\n\nPart 2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage\nSection 16D\npage 16 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) to change the method of storage or disposal of grey water.\n(2) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee does applicable work at particular premises; and\n(b) the licensee does not ensure that a backflow prevention device\nthat complies with AS/NZS 2845, as in force from time to time,\nis, or has been, installed in compliance with the plumbing code\nas part of the water supply plumbing for the premises.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) For subsection (2), AS/NZS 3500 applies as if the work on the grey\nwater disposal system were completed and the system were being\nused to its maximum intended capacity.\n(4) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nWater supply Part 3\nSection 16E\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Water supply\n16E Water efficiency requirements—water supply and\nsanitary plumbing work—Act, s 17A (1) (b)\n(1) The following requirements are prescribed:\n(a) for domestic water supply plumbing work involving the\ninstallation of, or work on, a shower—the shower head must\nhave a maximum flow capacity of not more than 9L per minute;\n(b) for domestic water supply plumbing work involving the\ninstallation of, or work on, a tap for a kitchen or laundry sink or\nany other basin inside a building—the outlet of the tap must have\na maximum flow capacity of not more than 9L per minute.\n(2) The maximum flow capacity mentioned in subsection (1) must be\nworked out using AS/NZS 6400 as in force from time to time.\nNote AS/NZS 6400 does not need to be notified under the Legislation Act\nbecause s 47 (5) and (6) do not apply (see Act, s 44D). The standard may\nbe purchased at www.standards.org.au.\n(3) Subsection (1) (b) does not apply to domestic water supply plumbing\nwork involving the installation of, or work on, a tap for a kitchen or\nlaundry sink or any other basin inside a building if—\n(a) the tap is in part of the building used, or for use, mainly for\nbusiness; or\n(b) the usual pressure of water that is, or is to be, supplied to the\nbuilding is less than 50kPa.\nExample\na home on a farm supplied with bore water at a pressure less than 50kPa\n(4) In this section:\ndomestic—water supply plumbing work or sanitary plumbing work\nis domestic if it is work in relation to premises used, or for use, for\nresidential purposes.\n\nPart 3 Water supply\nSection 17\npage 18 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n17 Notice about work on water service\nA notice under the Act, section 15 (Notice of water supply plumbing\nwork by licensee) about intending to do work on a pipe connected to\na property service of not less than 50mm diameter must be\naccompanied by a scale plan—\n(a) stating the address of the premises where the work is to be done;\nand\n(b) showing the position on the premises where it is intended to lay\nthe pipes and fix meters, plugs, stop taps, and other fittings to\nthe pipes.\n18 Water supply—work to conform to plumbing code\n(1) A person must not do work on a water service or hot-water system\ntaking its water from a water network unless the work is done—\n(a) in accordance with the plumbing code; and\n(b) if the work was done on a pipe connected to a property service\nof not less than 50mm diameter—in accordance with the plan\napproved by the certifier under the Act, section 8 (Issue of plan\napprovals).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if—\n(a) the requirements of the plumbing code are inconsistent with\nstandards mentioned in this regulation; and\n(b) the work was done in accordance with this regulation.\n\nWater supply Part 3\nSection 19\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n19 Inspection of work etc\n(1) A person who does work on a water service or hot-water system must\ntell the construction occupations registrar when the work is ready for\ninspection.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) A person who does work on a water service or hot-water system must\nleave the work uncovered and convenient for inspection until\nwhichever of the following happens first:\n(a) the work is inspected and approved by an inspector;\n(b) an inspector advises the person that an inspection is not required;\n(c) the end of 2 working days after the construction occupations\nregistrar was told that the work was ready for inspection.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n20 Testing of water plumbing\n(1) Water plumbing must be tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3500—\n(a) before it is passed by an inspector; and\n(b) if plumbing is altered or repaired—before the alterations or\nrepairs are passed by an inspector.\n(2) A person who does plumbing work that is to be tested, must supply\nthe apparatus, tools and labour for the test, whether or not any part of\nthe test is to be done by an inspector.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n(3) A person who did plumbing work that is being tested must rectify any\nof the work that the test finds defective.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Water supply\nSection 21\npage 20 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) Plumbing work is to be taken not to be in accordance with the\nplumbing code if the person who did the work does not supply\napparatus, tools and labour sufficient to allow the work to be tested\nunder this section.\n21 Notification after completion of work—water services\nA person who does work on a water service or hot-water system must,\nif satisfied that the work has been completed in accordance with this\nregulation and the plumbing code, within 7 days after completion of\nthe work, give the construction occupations registrar —\n(a) a statement of the work completed; and\n(b) evidence of payment of inspection fees under this regulation;\nand\n(c) if the work is done on a pipe connected to a property service of\nnot less than 50mm diameter—a copy of a water plumbing plan\non which there is endorsed a certificate that the plan is a true\nrecord of the work carried out.\nNote A certificate of compliance for water plumbing work cannot be issued\nunder s 25 unless the construction occupations registrar is satisfied that\nthe work complies with this regulation. The registrar may only be able to\nbe so satisfied if the statement, evidence and plan about the work has been\ngiven.\n22 Backflow prevention device\n(1) This section applies if a certifier has reasonable grounds for believing\nthat, by doing work of the kind mentioned in section 19 (Inspection\nof work etc), non-potable liquids, solids or gases may get into the\npotable water supply of the Territory.\n\nWater supply Part 3\nSection 22\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) A certifier must not, without reasonable excuse, approve a plan for\nthe work unless—\n(a) the plan includes the installation of an appropriate backflow\nprevention device for protecting the potable water supply from\nnon-potable liquids, solids or gases; or\n(b) the certifier has certified on the plan that, in the certifier’s\nopinion, the installation is not required.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n(3) A person must not install a backflow prevention device except in\naccordance with the plumbing code.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) A person who installs a testable backflow prevention device must—\n(a) tell the construction occupations registrar that the device has\nbeen installed; and\n(b) ensure that the device is tested by a suitably qualified person in\naccordance with AS/NZS 2845.3, as soon as practicable after\ninstallation; and\n(c) within 7 days after the device is tested, give the registrar a test\nreport prepared by the person who did the test.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(5) The owner of a parcel of land on which a testable backflow prevention\ndevice is installed must—\n(a) cause the device to be tested by a suitably qualified person in\naccordance with AS/NZS 2845.3; and\n\nPart 3 Water supply\nSection 23\npage 22 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) within 7 days after the device is tested, give the construction\noccupations registrar a test report prepared by the person who\ndid the test.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(6) For subsection (5)—\n(a) if maintenance or repair work has been done on a testable\nbackflow prevention device—it must be tested within 7 days\nafter the work was done; or\n(b) in any other case—it must be tested within 12 months after the\nlast test was done on the device under this section.\n(7) In this section:\nappropriate backflow prevention device means a backflow\nprevention device that complies with AS/NZS 2845, as in force from\ntime to time.\nsuitably qualified person means a person who holds a current\nplumbers licence that is endorsed under the Construction\nOccupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004, section 31 (Endorsing\nplumbers licences for backflow prevention device test work—Act,\ns 22).\n23 Water pumping appliance not to be connected without\npermission\n(1) A person must not connect a water pumping appliance to a pipe that\nis connected indirectly to the water network without the permission\nof the responsible utility.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) In this section:\ncooling appliance means an apparatus or appliance that uses water in\nthe process of cooling premises.\n\nWater supply Part 3\nSection 24\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nwater pumping appliance includes an automatic syphon, a hand\nsyphon, cooling appliance, water circulation apparatus and water\npower pumping appliance.\n24 Connecting pipe with steam-boilers\n(1) A person must not connect a service pipe directly to a steam-boiler\nfor feeding the boiler with water.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) A person who makes a connection for feeding a steam-boiler with\nwater must make the connection to the boiler from a break tank.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n24A Building in separated rainwater supply service\n(1) This section applies to water supply plumbing work—\n(a) for a single residential building or a garage associated with a\nsingle residential building; and\n(b) in relation to a water service directly connected to a cistern tap\npoint or a washing machine tap point.\n(2) However, this section does not apply to water supply plumbing work\nfor—\n(a) a hot-water system; or\n(b) a ceramic cistern manufactured with provision for only 1 water\ninlet pipe; or\n(c) a building that has, or will have, rainwater as its only source of\nwater.\n(3) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee connects a water service to a cistern tap point (the\nfirst cistern tap point) in the course of the water supply\nplumbing work; and\n\nPart 3 Water supply\nSection 24A\npage 24 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) the licensee does not also install water supply plumbing that can\nconnect a rainwater supply to an additional cistern tap point (the\nadditional cistern tap point) in compliance with subsection (5).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee connects a water service to a washing machine tap\npoint (the first washing machine tap point) in the course of the\nwater supply plumbing work; and\n(b) the licensee does not also install water supply plumbing that can\nconnect a rainwater supply to an additional washing machine tap\npoint (the additional washing machine tap point) in compliance\nwith subsection (5).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(5) The additional cistern tap point or additional washing machine tap\npoint must—\n(a) be adjacent to the first cistern tap point or first washing machine\ntap point; and\n(b) if the additional tap point is not fitted with a tap—\n(i) be connected to a threaded pipe fitting that has the same\ndimensions and thread characteristics as the first cistern tap\npoint or first washing machine tap point; and\n(ii) be provided with a cover ring or flange that matches as\nclosely as possible the dimensions, shape, finish and colour\nof the cover ring or flange (if any) on the first cistern tap\npoint or first washing machine tap point; and\n(c) if the additional tap point is fitted with a tap—be fitted with a\ntap that matches as closely as possible the model, size, thread\ncharacteristics, type and appearance of the tap (if any) fitted to\nthe first cistern tap point or first washing machine tap point.\n\nWater supply Part 3\nSection 24B\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(6) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n24B Installing rainwater supply service\n(1) Section 18, section 19 and section 21 apply to work done on a\nrainwater supply service as if—\n(a) a reference in this regulation to a water service were a reference\nto a rainwater supply service; and\n(b) the rainwater supply service took its water from a water\nnetwork.\n(2) A licensee commits an offence if—\n(a) the licensee installs a rainwater supply service; and\n(b) the service is not connected to a rainwater supply; and\n(c) each outlet and inlet, including any associated tap outlet, is not\nsealed and capped with a screw-on cap mated to—\n(i) a threaded pipe fitting connected to the pipe; or\n(ii) a washing machine tap outlet thread.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n(4) In this section:\nrainwater supply service means water supply plumbing that can\nconnect a rainwater supply to—\n(a) a cistern tap point; or\n(b) a washing machine tap point.\n\nPart 4 Certificates of compliance\nSection 25\npage 26 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Certificates of compliance\n25 Certificate of compliance\n(1) The owner of premises may apply, in writing, to the construction\noccupations registrar for a certificate of compliance for plumbing or\nsanitary drainage work.\n(2) The construction occupations registrar must issue a certificate of\ncompliance if satisfied that the plumbing or sanitary drainage work\ncomplies with this regulation.\n(3) A person must not use plumbing or sanitary drainage work unless a\ncertificate of compliance has been issued for the work.\nMaximum penalty (subsection (3)): 10 penalty units.\n\nNotification and review of decisions Part 5\nSection 26\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Notification and review of\ndecisions\n26 Reviewable decisions—Act, s 44, def reviewable decision\nA decision mentioned in schedule 1, column 3 under a provision\nmentioned in column 2 in relation to the decision is prescribed.\n27 Right of review and notice—Act, s 44A and s 44B (a)\nAn entity mentioned in schedule 1, column 4 is prescribed.\n\nPart 6 Plumbing code\nSection 28\npage 28 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Plumbing code\n28 Documents forming part of plumbing code—Act,\ns 44C (1), def plumbing code, par (b)\nA volume of the National Construction Code series is prescribed if\nthe volume—\n(a) is published by the Australian Building Codes Board from time\nto time; and\n(b) includes a notation that it forms part of the Plumbing Code of\nAustralia.\nNote The National Construction Code does not need to be notified under the\nLegislation Act because s 47 (5) and (6) does not apply (see Act, s 44D\nand Legislation Act, s 47 (7)). The National Construction Code is\naccessible at www.ncc.abcb.gov.au.\n\nReviewable decisions Schedule 1\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Reviewable decisions\n(see s 26 and s 27)\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nsection\ncolumn 3\ndecision\ncolumn 4\nentity\n1 Act, 22 (2) give direction to do\nwork\nowner given direction\n2 Act, 32 (4) give direction to take\nstated action\nentity given direction\n3 15 (4) refuse to give\nexemption\napplicant for exemption\n4 25 refuse to issue\ncertificate of\ncompliance\napplicant for certificate\nof compliance\n\nDictionary\npage 30 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions relevant to this regulation.\nFor example:\n• AS (see s 164)\n• AS/NZS (see s 164)\n• the Territory.\nNote 2 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Water and Sewerage Act 2000 (see Legislation Act, s 148). For\nexample, the following terms are defined in the Water and Sewerage\nAct 2000, dict:\n• backflow prevention device\n• grey water\n• hot-water system\n• land sublease\n• licensee\n• owner\n• sanitary drainage work\n• sanitary plumbing work\n• sewerage network\n• single residential building\n• water service\n• water supply plumbing work.\nAS 1172 means AS 1172 (Water closets (WC)—Pans), as in force\nfrom time to time.\nNote AS 1172 may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.\nAS/NZS 2845 means AS/NZS 2845.1: 2010 (Water supply—\nBackflow prevention devices—Materials, design and performance\nrequirements), as in force from time to time.\nNote AS/NZS 2845 may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.\n\nDictionary\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAS/NZS 2845.3 means AS/NZS 2845.3 (Water supply—Backflow\nprevention devices—Field testing and maintenance of testable\ndevices), as in force from time to time.\nNote AS 2845.3 may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.\nAS/NZS 3500 means AS/NZS 3500 (Plumbing and drainage set), as\nin force from time to time.\nNote AS/NZS 3500 may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.\ncistern tap point means a point on water supply plumbing where a\ntap for a cistern is, or can be, connected.\ngrey water disposal system means any of the following systems, if\nthe system is not connected to a sewerage network apart from any\ndrainage mentioned in section 16C (3) (b):\n(a) a reservoir or tank that is, or can be, used to store grey water;\n(b) a pipe or conduit that is, or can be, used to discharge grey water\ninto the environment.\nNote For the meaning of sewerage network, see the Utilities Act 2000, s 14\n(see Water and Sewerage Act 2000, dict).\ngrey water point means a point on a sanitary drain or sanitary\nplumbing—\n(a) that is located outside and clear of any building or structure; and\n(b) from which grey water may flow by gravity to a grey water\nholding vessel, whether directly or through pipework draining;\nand\n(c) from which a grey water holding vessel or pipework draining\nmentioned in paragraph (b) can be connected without changing\nthe location of the sanitary drain or sanitary plumbing.\nparcel, of land, includes land under a land sublease.\nrainwater point means a point on rainwater supply service—\n(a) that is located on the exterior of the building it serves; and\n\nDictionary\npage 32 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) from which rainwater may flow, using a pump if required, from\na rainwater tank to a washing machine tap point or a cistern,\nwhether directly or through pipework draining; and\n(c) from which the washing machine tap point or cistern mentioned\nin paragraph (b) can be connected without demolishing, cutting\nor removing anything other than a pipe, cap or hatch to gain\naccess to the rainwater point, or relocating the rainwater point.\nseparated grey water waste fixture means—\n(a) a bath, including a spa bath; or\n(b) a hand basin other than a kitchen sink; or\n(c) a laundry tub; or\n(d) a shower; or\n(e) a floor waste for a room that contains no sanitary fixtures other\nthan those mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d).\nwashing machine tap point means a point on water supply plumbing\nwhere a cold water tap for a clothes washing machine is, or can be,\nconnected.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 33\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 34 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis regulation was originally the Water and Sewerage Regulations 2001. It was\nrenamed under the Legislation Act 2001.\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001 SL2001-2\nnotified 25 January 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 4)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 25 January 2001 (IA s 10B)\nremainder commenced 25 January 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001 No 4) (but\nsee IA s 10C (2))\nas amended by\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 414\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 414 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.92\nnotified LR 16 September 2002\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))\npt 3.92 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))\nConstruction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2004\nA2004-13 sch 1 pt 1.4, sch 2 pt 2.28\nnotified LR 26 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.4, sch 2 pt 2.28 commenced 1 September 2004 (s 2 and see\nConstruction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 A2004-12, s 2 and\nCN2004-8)\nWater and Sewerage Amendment Regulations 2004 (No 1) SL2004-45\nnotified LR 8 September 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 1 January 2005 (s 2)\nWater and Sewerage Amendment Act 2004 A2004-67 pt 3\nnotified LR 9 September 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 10 September 2004 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 35\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nConstruction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2005\nA2005-34 sch 1 pt 1.6\nnotified LR 6 July 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 July 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.6 commenced 27 July 2005 (s 2)\nWater and Sewerage Amendment Regulation 2005 (No 1) SL2005-16\nnotified LR 29 July 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 July 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 30 July 2005 (s 2)\nWater and Sewerage Amendment Regulation 2005 (No 2) SL2005-25\nnotified LR 27 September 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 September 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 28 September 2005 (s 2)\nACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment\nAct 2008 (No 2) A2008-37 sch 1 pt 1.107\nnotified LR 4 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.107 commenced 2 February 2009 (s 2 (1) and see ACT Civil\nand Administrative Tribunal Act 2008 A2008-35, s 2 (1) and CN2009-2)\nWater and Sewerage (Energy Efficient Hot-Water Systems)\nLegislation Amendment Act 2009 A2009-26 pt 3\nnotified LR 8 September 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 31 January 2010 (s 2)\nBuilding Legislation Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1) SL2010-15\npt 3\nnotified LR 3 May 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 3 May 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 4 May 2010 (s 2)\nBuilding Legislation Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 2) SL2010-21\npt 3\nnotified LR 31 May 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 31 May 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 1 June 2010 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 36 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.173\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.173 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2013 A2013-19 sch 3 pt 3.52\nnotified LR 24 May 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.52 commenced 14 June 2013 (s 2)\nConstruction and Energy Efficiency Legislation Amendment Act 2013\nA2013-31 pt 11\nnotified LR 26 August 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 August 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\nss 97-99 commenced 27 August 2013 (s 2 (3))\npt 11 remainder commenced 1 September 2013 (s 2 (1))\nPlanning and Development (University of Canberra and Other\nLeases) Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-19 pt 24\nnotified LR 11 June 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 11 June 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 24 commenced 1 July 2015 (s 2 and CN2015-9)\nBuilding and Construction Legislation Amendment Regulation 2023\n(No 1) SL2023-7 pt 4\nnotified LR 28 April 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 28 April 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 4 commenced 1 May 2023 (s 2 (1))\nBuilding and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2025\nA2025-5 pt 9\nnotified LR 31 March 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 31 March 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 9 commenced 1 April 2025 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.104\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.104 commenced 26 November 2025 (s 2 (3))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 37\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of regulation\ns 1 am R6 LA\nCommencement\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.4284\nNotes\ns 4 am A2001-44 amdt 1.4285\nOffences against regulation—application of Criminal Code etc\ns 5A ins SL2004-45 s 4\nSanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage—work to conform to plumbing\ncode\ns 6 hdg sub A2013-31 s 91\ns 6 am A2004-13 amdt 2.122; A2013-19 amdt 3.489; A2013-31\nss 92-94\nNotice of plan approval—Act, s 8 (5)\ns 7A ins A2004-13 amdt 2.123\nNo reconsideration for plan amendment—Act, s 9 (3)\ns 7B ins A2004-13 amdt 1.9\nNotice to be given about work done\ns 8 am A2004-13 amdt 1.10, amdt 2.131; ss renum R4 LA (see\nA2004-13 amdt 1.11)\nTesting of sanitary plumbing and drains\ns 9 am A2013-19 amdts 3.489-3.491; A2013-31 s 95\nNotification after completion of work\ns 10 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131, amdt 2.132; A2013-19 amdt 3.491;\nA2013-31 s 96\nUnblocking of drain by owner of land\ns 11 om A2004-13 amdt 2.124\nSeparate drainage systems\ns 12 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131\nRain and surface waters not to be discharged into sewers etc\ns 15 am A2004-13 amdt 1.12\nRequirements for toilets—Act, s 17 (1) (b)\ns 16 sub A2004-13 amdt 2.125\nam A2013-31 ss 97-99\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 38 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nBuilding in separated sanitary drainage for grey water\ns 16A s 16A ins A2004-67 s 6 renum as s 16E\nins SL2004-45 s 5\nPreservation of separated sanitary drainage for grey water\ns 16B ins SL2004-45 s 5\nam R23 LA (see also A2025-29 amdt 3.364)\nOverflow from grey water disposal system\ns 16C ins SL2004-45 s 5\nam R23 LA (see also A2025-29 amdt 3.365)\nRetrofitting backflow prevention devices\ns 16D ins SL2004-45 s 5\nam A2013-19 amdt 3.492; A2013-31 s 100\nWater efficiency requirements—water supply and sanitary plumbing work\n—Act, s 17A (1) (b)\ns 16E (prev s 16A) ins A2004-67 s 6\nrenum as s 16E R5 LA\n(5)-(8) exp 1 July 2005 (s 16E (8))\nss renum R8 LA\nam SL2005-16 s 4; SL2005-25 s 4\nss (6)-(9) exp 1 July 2006 (s 16E (9))\nam A2025-5 s 40, s 41\nWater supply—work to conform to plumbing code\ns 18 hdg sub A2013-31 s 101\ns 18 am A2004-13 amdt 2.126, amdt 2.127; A2013-19 amdt 3.493;\nA2013-31 s 102, s 103\nInspection of work etc\ns 19 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131\nTesting of water plumbing\ns 20 am A2013-19 amdts 3.493-3.495; A2013-31 s 104\nNotification after completion of work—water services\ns 21 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131, amdt 2.132; A2013-19 amdt 3.495;\nA2013-31 s 105\nBackflow prevention device\ns 22 am A2004-13 amdt 2.128, amdt 2.129, amdt 2.131,\namdt 2.132; ss renum R4 LA (see A2004-13 amdt 2.130);\nA2013-19 amdt 3.492; A2013-31 s 106, s 107\nBuilding in separated rainwater supply service\ns 24A ins SL2004-45 s 6\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 39\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nInstalling rainwater supply service\ns 24B ins SL2004-45 s 6\nCertificates of compliance\npt 4 hdg sub SL2023-7 s 16\nCertificate of compliance\ns 25 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131\nNotification and review of decisions\npt 5 hdg ins SL2023-7 s 17\nReviewable decisions—Act, s 44, def reviewable decision\ns 26 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131\nsub A2008-37 amdt 1.560\nRight of review and notice—Act, s 44A and s 44B (a)\ns 27 am A2004-13 amdt 2.131\nsub A2008-37 amdt 1.560\nPlumbing code\npt 6 hdg ins SL2023-7 s 18\nDocuments forming part of plumbing code—Act, s 44C (1), def plumbing\ncode, par (b)\ns 28 ins A2009-26 s 9\nom A2013-31 s 108\nins SL2023-7 s 18\nReviewable decisions\nsch 1 ins A2008-37 amdt 1.561\nHot-water system standard\nsch 2 hdg ins A2009-26 s 10\nom A2013-31 s 109\nDefinitions—sch 2\ns 2.1 ins A2009-26 s 10\nom A2013-31 s 109\ndef building ins A2009-26 s 10\nom A2013-31 s 109\ndef class ins A2009-26 s 10\nom A2013-31 s 109\nCompliant hot-water systems\ns 2.2 ins A2009-26 s 10\nom SL2010-15 s 26\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 40 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nWater heater—installation\ns 2.3 hdg sub SL2010-15 s 27\ns 2.3 ins A2009-26 s 10\nam SL2010-15 ss 28-31; SL2010-21 s 6; A2013-19\namdts 3.497-3.501\nom A2013-31 s 109\nWater heater—determination of other water heaters\ns 2.4 ins A2009-26 s 10\nsub SL2010-15 s 32\nom A2013-31 s 109\nWater heater—frost protection standard\ns 2.5 ins A2009-26 s 10\nsub SL2010-15 s 32\nom A2013-31 s 109\nHot-water system—water flow performance standard\ns 2.6 ins A2009-26 s 10\nam SL2010-15 ss 33-35\nom A2013-31 s 109\nDictionary\ndict am A2002-30 amdt 3.992; SL2004-45 s 7; A2005-34\namdt 1.54; A2009-26 s 11, s 12; A2011-22 amdt 1.480;\nA2013-19 amdt 3.502; A2013-31 s 110; A2015-19 s 150;\nA2025-29 amdt 3.366, amdt 3.367\ndef AS 1172 ins A2013-19 amdt 3.503\ndef AS/NZS 2845 ins A2013-19 amdt 3.505\ndef AS/NZS 2845.3 ins A2013-19 amdt 3.504\ndef AS/NZS 3500 ins A2013-31 s 111\ndef Australian Standard 1172 om A2013-19 amdt 3.506\ndef Australian Standard 2845.3 om A2013-19 amdt 3.506\ndef Australian Standard 3500 ins SL2004-45 s 8\nom A2005-34 amdt 1.55\ndef building ins A2009-26 s 13\nom A2013-31 s 112\ndef cistern tap point ins SL2004-45 s 8\ndef class ins A2009-26 s 13\nom A2013-31 s 112\ndef compliant gas hot-water system ins A2009-26 s 13\nom SL2010-15 s 36\ndef compliant heat pump hot-water system ins A2009-26\ns 13\nom SL2010-15 s 36\ndef compliant solar hot-water system ins A2009-26 s 13\nom SL2010-15 s 36\ndef grey water disposal system ins SL2004-45 s 8\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 41\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef grey water point ins SL2004-45 s 8\ndef hot-water system standard ins A2009-26 s 13\nom A2013-31 s 112\ndef parcel ins A2015-19 s 151\ndef rainwater point ins SL2004-45 s 8\ndef separated grey water waste fixture ins SL2004-45 s 8\ndef the Act om A2001-44 amdt 1.4286\ndef washing machine tap point ins SL2004-45 s 8\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 42 Water and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR24\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 not amended 15 June 2001\n2 A2001-44 12 September 2001\n3 A2002-30 3 October 2002\n4 A2004-13 1 September 2004\n5 A2004-67 10 September 2004\n6 A2004-67 2 November 2004\n7 A2004-67 1 January 2005\n8 A2004-67 2 July 2005\n9 A2005-34 27 July 2005\n10 SL2005-16 30 July 2005\n11 SL2005-25 28 September 2005\n12 SL2005-25 2 July 2006\n13 A2008-37 2 February 2009\n14 A2009-26 31 January 2010\n15 SL2010-15 4 May 2010\n16 SL2010-21 1 June 2010\n17 A2011-22 1 July 2011\n18 A2013-19 14 June 2013\n19 A2013-31 27 August 2013\n20 A2013-31 1 September 2013\n21 A2015-19 1 July 2015\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR24\n26/11/25\nWater and Sewerage Regulation 2001\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 43\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n22 SL2023-7 1 May 2023\n23 A2025-5 1 April 2025\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has grown significantly beyond basic plumbing standards. Originally focused on sanitary plumbing and drainage compliance, it has expanded to include: mandatory water efficiency requirements (2004-2005), grey water separation and reuse infrastructure (2004), rainwater harvesting preparation requirements (2004), detailed backflow prevention regimes, and energy efficiency standards for hot water systems (2009, later removed 2013). The scope now encompasses sustainable water management, environmental protection, and climate adaptation measures rather than just technical plumbing compliance."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external standards (AS/NZS 3500, AS 1172, AS/NZS 2845, AS/NZS 6400) that are not reproduced in the regulation but are incorporated by reference","24 defined terms in the dictionary, with additional terms defined in the parent Act (Water and Sewerage Act 2000)","Nested exceptions and conditional logic, particularly in sections 16 (toilet requirements), 16A-16D (grey water), and 24A-24B (rainwater)","Specific technical measurements and thresholds (e.g., 9L/minute flow rates, 50mm pipe diameter triggers, 50kPa pressure exemptions)","Dual application of Criminal Code and strict liability offences for certain sections (ss 16A-16D, 24A, 24B)","Interaction with multiple other Acts: Water and Sewerage Act 2000, Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, Utilities Act 2000, Legislation Act 2001","Temporal provisions and transitional arrangements (e.g., references to pre-1999 drainage systems, pre-1994 cisterns)","Schedule of reviewable decisions linking to administrative review processes"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets technical rules for plumbing and drainage work in the ACT, specifying compliance with the Plumbing Code and requiring approved plans, inspections, testing, and certificates of compliance. It affects licensed plumbers and drainers, homeowners and property owners, builders/developers, and the construction occupations registrar.\n\nIt protects public health by preventing contamination, enforces water‑efficiency measures, and prepares properties for greywater reuse and rainwater connections."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has grown beyond a narrow rule‑set for sewer‑connected plumbing and drainage to explicitly regulate water efficiency and on‑site alternative water systems (notably rainwater and greywater), backflow prevention testing regimes, and integration with the National Construction Code. Key later additions expand scope: mandatory low‑flow fixture rules (s 16E), separated greywater drainage and overflow/backflow rules (ss 16A–16D, 16C), rainwater supply connection and installation rules (ss 24A–24B), and stronger backflow device obligations and testing/reporting duties (s 22). These additions broaden the regulation from network protection and drainage to also shape water conservation, reuse infrastructure and ongoing testing/certification burdens on licensees and owners."},"complexity_factors":["Wide scope across plumbing, sanitary drainage, water supply, greywater and rainwater systems (Parts 2–3, ss 6–24B)","Multiple cross-references to external technical documents: AS/NZS 3500, AS/NZS 2845, AS/NZS 6400 and the National Construction Code (ss 9, 20, 22, 16E, 28)","Many defined and specialised terms in the Dictionary affecting interpretation across the regulation (eg grey water point, rainwater point, cistern tap point)","Mixture of fault-based and strict liability offences (eg ss 16A–16D, 24B) with specified penalty units","Administrative processes with prescribed notice, inspection and certification steps and timeframes (ss 7A, 8, 10, 19–21, 25)","Conditional exemptions and certifier/utility discretions (eg s 15 exemptions, s 22 certifier certifications)","Prescriptive technical rules with multiple conditional sub‑rules (eg detailed toilet cistern/pan flow and capacity rules in s 16)","Schedule of reviewable decisions tied to specific Act provisions (Schedule 1; ss 26–27) requiring linkage to external Act","Nested procedural and technical requirements for alternative water systems (ss 16A–16D and 24A–24B) including overflow/backflow interfaces","Extensive amendment and history annotations indicating iterative additions that interact with current provisions (endnotes and amendment history)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this regulation does (mechanically)\n\n- Sets mandatory technical and administrative rules for plumbing, sanitary drainage and water-supply work that connect to the ACT sewerage or water networks. Key requirements include: obey the Plumbing Code (s 6, s 18); install and test systems to Australian standards (eg AS/NZS 3500 and AS/NZS 2845) (ss 9, 20, 22); get and follow plan approvals for certain jobs (ss 7, 17, 18); notify and allow inspection by the construction occupations registrar and inspectors (ss 8, 19); and provide certified completion documents before a certificate of compliance can be issued (ss 10, 21, 25).\n\n- Creates specific technical rules about toilets, showers and taps (water-efficiency limits) and requirements for cisterns and pans (s 16, s 16E). It requires backflow prevention devices where there is a risk to the potable supply and sets testing and reporting obligations for owners and installers (s 22).\n\n- Regulates alternative water systems: it requires building-in or provision for separated greywater drainage for certain residential work (ss 16A–16D) and requires provision for rainwater connection points and standards for installing rainwater supply services (ss 24A–24B). It also forbids discharge of rain or stormwater into sewerage networks except by approved exemption (s 15).\n\n- Establishes offence provisions and penalties for non‑compliance (penalty units noted in the front matter and specific maximum penalties in many sections), and specifies which offences attract Criminal Code principles (s 5A).\n\n- Prescribes which documents form part of the Plumbing Code (s 28) and lists a small set of reviewable administrative decisions and who can seek review (Schedule 1; ss 26–27).\n\n\nWho the regulation affects\n\n- Licensed plumbers and drainage contractors (\"licensees\") — their conduct in installing, modifying and testing plumbing and drainage is regulated and they face offence penalties for breaches (see e.g. ss 6–10, 16A–16D, 24A–24B, 22).\n- Owners of premises — responsible for compliance where owner duties are stated (eg testing and reporting obligations for backflow devices under s 22(5)) and cannot use plumbing work unless a certificate of compliance is issued (s 25(3)).\n- Certifiers and inspectors — must include or confirm backflow protection on plans and may require tests or refuse plan approvals where standards are not met (s 22(2)).\n- The responsible utility and the construction occupations registrar — hold decision and approval powers (eg exemptions under s 15(3)–(4), issuing certificates under s 25).\n- Businesses that build or retrofit residential and commercial premises — they must comply with flow-rate limits, provide rainwater/greywater connection points where required, and follow testing/inspection regimes (ss 16E, 24A–24B, 9, 20, 21).\n\n\nWhy it matters (practical consequences, costs and decision‑makers)\n\n- Who pays: private owners and licensees bear direct costs — buying compliant fittings and backflow devices, providing apparatus, paying inspection fees, carrying out tests and remedial work, and possibly installing separate drainage or rainwater connection arrangements (see ss 9, 22, 24A–24B, 25). Permits and plan approvals can require design or construction changes (ss 7, 17, 18).\n\n- Who decides: certifiers, the construction occupations registrar and the responsible utility exercise practical control over approval, inspection and exemptions (ss 7A, 8, 15(3)–(4), 22, 25). Inspectors and certifiers apply the Plumbing Code and relevant Australian Standards (ss 5, 6, 9, 20, 28).\n\n- Behaviour changes the law requires: use of reduced- or dual-flush toilet hardware and low-flow shower/tap fittings (ss 16, 16E); installation and regular testing of backflow prevention where risk exists (s 22); separation and protection of greywater and rainwater systems and provision of connection points for rainwater (ss 16A–16D, 24A–24B); and routine notification and testing discipline for installers and owners (ss 8–10, 19–21, 22(4)–(6)).\n\n\nStated rationales and practical trade-offs\n\n- The regulation incorporates technical standards and efficiency limits (eg AS/NZS standards, National Construction Code references in s 28 and flow limits in s 16E). The stated aim (in the text and structure) is to protect public potable supplies, ensure sewerage network integrity, and promote water efficiency and reuse by prescribing minimum hardware and procedures.\n\n- Costs and compliance burden: licensees and owners face recurring compliance tasks (testing, reporting, certification) and capital costs (fittings, backflow devices, separate drainage or rainwater plumbing). Administrative discretion (certifier approvals, exemptions by responsible utility) creates potential timing and design risk for projects (ss 7A, 15(3)–(4), 22(2)).\n\n- Incentives and substitution effects: mandating low-flow fixtures and provision for rainwater/greywater connection makes on-site alternatives more usable, but may raise up-front installation costs. Requiring automatic overflow routing of greywater to sewer where systems can overflow (s 16C(3)) reduces environmental or health risk but may reduce the effective reuse capacity unless storage and disposal are also upgraded.\n\n- Enforcement and legal risk: several offences are strict liability (eg ss 16A(4), 16B(3), 16C(4), 16D(4), 24B(3)), which lowers the prosecution threshold for on‑the‑ground breaches and increases risk to licensees for inadvertent non‑compliance.\n\n\nConcrete examples of important mechanical rules (with sections cited)\n\n- Installers must test plumbing/drainage to AS/NZS 3500 and provide apparatus and labour for tests (s 9(1)–(2); s 20(1)–(2)).\n- Certifiers must ensure backflow protection is on plans where potable supply risk exists (s 22(1)–(2)); owners must arrange regular testing and report results to the registrar (s 22(5)–(6)).\n- Rainwater provision: when connecting a cistern or washing-machine tap in new single-residential work, the installer must also provide an adjacent connection point for a rainwater supply (s 24A(3)–(5)); rainwater supply services must be sealed if not connected to rainwater (s 24B(2)).\n- Greywater separation: certain residential extensions must drain separated greywater fixtures to a greywater point (s 16A) and must provide overflow routing to sewer if system overflows (s 16C(3)).\n\n\nSources of discretion and implementation risk\n\n- Certifiers and the responsible utility can approve exemptions or certify non‑requirement of devices, giving them practical gatekeeping roles (ss 7A, 15(3)–(4), 22(2)).\n- The regulation incorporates external technical standards (AS/NZS 3500, AS/NZS 2845 and AS/NZS 6400) and the National Construction Code, so changes to those documents can alter technical obligations without amending the regulation itself (ss 9, 20, 22, 16E, 28).\n\n\nBottom line in one sentence\n\nThis regulation sets mandatory technical, inspection, testing, notification and certification rules for plumbing, drainage, water‑efficiency and alternative water systems in the ACT, assigns compliance costs to licensees and owners, and gives certifiers, inspectors and the responsible utility the practical power to approve, exempt or require particular protective measures (see ss 6–25, 28)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001","history":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001/history","analysis":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/water-and-sewerage-regulation-2001/documents"}}