Service connections

How to get your property connected to the city's water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems.

Longburn in level two water restrictions

Longburn is now in level two water restrictions due to a critically low water supply. We'll review the level on Monday 27 January.

The rest of Palmerston North is still level one.

Current water consumption is exceeding the natural output at our Longburn bore. Level 2 water restrictions are in place while we investigate the issue. The low supply is likely due to a combination of dry weather, water being used on gardens and recreational activities, as well as potential leaks within the network.

Longburn’s water supply comes from a local bore and is not currently connected to the citywide supply from the Turitea Dams, which serves the rest of Palmerston North along with other bores. While we have plans to improve Longburn’s water supply in the future as part of our long-term infrastructure programmes, we need to impose level 2 restrictions in the area now to ensure you continue to have a reliable water supply for the rest of the summer.

What level two water restrictions mean for you

Under level two restrictions:

Unattended hoses, sprinklers, and garden irrigation systems cannot be used.
Handheld hoses are permitted only between 7pm and 9pm, following an alternating schedule ( even-numbered houses may water on even dates and odd-numbered houses on odd dates).
Commercial activities requiring water are not restricted but operators are encouraged to minimise use or reschedule until restrictions are lifted.

Service connections are connections to:

the wastewater network (includes gravity and pressure sewers)
the water network
the stormwater network (either through a direct connection to the pipeline or an outlet to the kerb)

If you are applying for connections at more than one property, please lodge a separate application for each.

For all enquiries, please call our Customer Service Centre on 06 356 8199.

How to arrange service connections to your property

The property owner, drainlayer, or contractor applies to Council and pays a fee. You can do this at the same time you apply for building consent.

Council approves the connection and provides the network information the contractor will need to do the job.
The applicant engages an approved service connections contractor or pressure sewer system installer and notifies the Council—you can find lists of approved contractors and installers at the bottom of the page.
The contractor arranges a road opening notice and permits.
Council is not liable for any of the contractor's costs.

Engaging a contractor

Council maintains a list of approved service connections contractors who have agreed to provide connections to Council standards. We maintain a separate register of contractors registered to install pressure sewer systems. You must choose a contractor from these lists—download them below.
Work cannot begin until you have Council approval and have notified Council who the contractor is.

Service connection fees

Paying application fees to Council

Payment can be made in two ways:

Pay the total fee when you apply for a service connection.
Pay the processing fee when you apply, and the inspection fee when approval is granted.

Fees from 1 July 2024 (GST inclusive)

Fees are per connection, per property. If you are applying for connections at more than one property, please lodge a separate application for each.

Fees apply to each service you connect (sewer, water or stormwater).

Application fee	Inspection fee	Total payable
$120	$193	$313

Interested in becoming an approved contractor for water services connections?

Only contractors approved by the Council will be permitted to undertake work on the Palmerston North City Council’s water supply network. If you are interested in becoming an approved water services connection contractor, please download and read the information pack(PDF, 5MB). For any enquiries, please contact the Transport and Development Team on delt@pncc.govt.nz.