Plumbing and drainage

All plumbing and drainage work must comply with current legislative requirements and regulations. Find out about the types of plumbing and drainage works that require Brisbane City Council approval and how to apply for approval and arrange inspections.

Find what you need

Find out about different types of plumbing and drainage work, including when you need to get Council approval.

Find out about the fees and charges for plumbing and drainage applications and which approval processes are applicable.

Find out how to obtain copies of plans and information about working with sewers and drains.

Find out about about lodging a plumbing and drainage application with Council.

Do you have a backflow prevention device on your property? Council maintains a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of backflow prevention devices in Brisbane.

Council’s self-assessable alternative to the full compliance assessment of eligible plumbing and drainage work such as low-risk domestic plumbing and drainage applications. Find out more including how to apply.

Find out how to book an inspection, Council’s requirements and how to find a licensed plumber.

An on-site sewage facility is any system that stores, treats and disposes of household wastewater on the property. Find out your responsibilities.

View a list of all available plumbing forms and fact sheets in one convenient location.

A combined sanitary drain is a shared private house drain that is not owned by Council or Urban Utilities and serves two or more properties. 

Urban Utilities delivers water and wastewater services to customers in Brisbane.

Last updated: 28 November 2019

Brisbane City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and their unique relationship with their ancestral country. We pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of Brisbane, and recognise their strength and wisdom.