Consider your water assets during construction

When doing construction work, there’s always a risk damage can be done to water, sewer and stormwater assets.

When these are damaged, concrete and other materials can enter the pipes, leading to costly repairs and disruptions not only for the work site but also neighbours, local businesses, roads and public spaces.  

If you’re doing any works, it’s important to communicate with builders on site to ensure ALL water, sewer and stormwater assets (including private sewer drains) are located and protected before starting works. 

You can follow the five Ps to locate and protect these assets while on site.

Plan Contact Dial Before You Dig  (DBYD) and use SEWMap– a free app that provides instant asset information.

Prepare Review utility plans and contact the relevant water authority for any questions. Always use an accredited asset locator.

Pothole Confirm the asset locations safely by non-destructive excavation or hand digging.

Protect Take measures such as marking locations, cut and seal services, bringing any unsealed sewer branches to the surface and letting others on site know about the asset locations to help protect the assets.

Proceed Only after you’ve followed steps one to four.

By sticking to the five P’s you can minimise damage to public and private property, reduce delays and disruptions on site and avoid time consuming and costly repairs.

For more information visit South East Water: https://bit.ly/2vIliLZ

An example of a concrete-filled sewer that workers could have avoided by locating and protecting assets on site.