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  4. Installing a pool

Before you start

Making a splash with a new pool?

If you're installing a pool, please check that it is not located over the top of or too close to our water supply or sewerage pipes. 

More about what to do before you start your pool

Before you start your project

Before starting your renovation or extension project, you must check whether there are any registered easements or infrastructure you need to take into account.

In addition to Unitywater easements and water and sewer infrastructure, there may also be electricity, road easements, fire trails, stock routes and other infrastructure to consider. 

The process you should follow: 

You check if there are any water or sewerage easements on your property

Do this by purchasing a title search and survey plan via Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

You design your building work to avoid encroaching on any Unitywater easement if identified within your property

If this is not possible then you can ask us for approval for an encroachment.

Unitywater will assess your encroachment application (if needed)

You check if there are any Unitywater assets on your property or your neighbour's property

Do this by requesting a Detailed Infrastructure Plan from us online. 

If there are any assets, you need to engage a building certifier

The building certifier assess your proposed building work against the Queensland Development Code MP 1.4 – Building over or near relevant infrastructure. 

If the code conditions cannot be met, then your certifier will help you apply to build over or near infrastructure

You must use the documents and checklist on our building and renovating page if you need to build over or near infrastructure.

Unitywater's Wastewater Disposal Policy 

Property owners, new home owners, pool builders and building certifiers, please note: applications to connect swimming pools to Unitywater’s sewerage networks are being approved in accordance with the existing Swimming Pool Wastewater Disposal Policy.

Unitywater is considering changing the policy to not allow new swimming pools to be connected to the sewerage system, and to offer a financial incentive to disconnect existing pools from Unitywater’s sewerage network.

The reason we're considering this new policy approach is to protect public and environmental health by reducing the potential for sewage overflows into private property and waterways, caused by swimming pool overflow and/or backwash water being discharged into sewers that are full following rainfall.

We're aiming to ensure that new developments have arrangements in place to prevent sewage overflows and for sewage to be contained within the sewerage network, where it can be safely transported to a sewage treatment plant. Updates on the policy change coming soon. 

Pool and spa fill guide

Our handy reference guide helps you estimate how much it will cost to top up or fill pools or spas with a hose using town water.
View the pool and spa fill guide

Make sure your pool is waterwise

During Summer, using a pool cover can save you up to 55 litres of water a day.

You can reduce water loss through evaporation by reducing water temperature just a few degrees or using a pool cover between swims. 

More about water efficiency





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