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Local Government Act 1974

Sewerage and stormwater drainage by territorial authorities - Drain protection and protective works

467: Unlawful connection of private drain

You could also call this:

"Connecting a private drain without council permission is against the law"

Illustration for Local Government Act 1974

If you connect a private drain to a public or private drain or covered watercourse without the council's written permission, you are committing an offence. You need to get written authority from the council before making any connections. The council can take action if you make an unlawful connection.

If you make an unlawful connection, the council can fix or replace any damaged property, and they can also remove or alter the private drain. The council can then ask you to pay for the cost of the work and any damage that was done.

You must pay the council the full cost of the work and the full amount of any damage done if you connect a private drain without permission, as stated in the Local Government Act 1974.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM421256.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councilsHousing and property > Land use
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Part 26Sewerage and stormwater drainage by territorial authorities
Drain protection and protective works

467Unlawful connection of private drain

  1. Every person commits an offence against this Act who, not having the written authority of the council, connects any private drain with a public or private drain or covered watercourse.

  2. The council may replace or repair any property destroyed or damaged by any such unlawful connection of a private drain, or remove or alter any such private drain, and may recover from that person the full cost of the work and the full amount of any damage done or caused by him.

Notes
  • Section 467: inserted, on , by section 2 of the Local Government Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 59).