In a very big cosmopolitan city like Sydney, managing water infrastructure, water delivery and wastewater systems is a task that requires a great deal of time and administration. Often, developers and tradespeople have work that needs doing near infrastructure owned by Sydney Water, and to get planning approval has, in the past, taken many months.
Sydney Water is the largest such service provider in the country and deal with both fresh water and wastewater.
Sydney Water has now launched a new web based application called Sydney Water Tap In that effectively replaces Quick Check Agents and speeds up the approval process for developers, tradies, and home DIY types.
Imagine that you are a homeowner in Sydney and you’d like to do some excavation or digging around the home. You know that the area contains piping infrastructure that is owned by Sydney Water, but until you apply for, and receive, planning permission and approval, you are effectively rendered immobile.
This is a situation that commonly affects developers, tradespeople and homeowners and has made development and progress difficult, frustrating and time consuming.
The newly launched Sydney Water Tap In application allows anyone 24/7 access to the following types of services:
• Approvals for building plans,
• Infrastructure diagrams,
• Pipe connection and disconnection approvals,
• Water pressure information,
• Trade waste approvals,
• Water meter installation information,
• Moving, relocating or changing an existing Sydney Water asset,
• Approvals for pressure boosting and water pumps.
This is the sort of vital information that will not only benefit developers and homeowners looking to move Sydney Water assets, but will also be of great benefit to plumbers who need quick access to information like water pressure in order to install devices like pressure limiters, or simply to aid in the diagnosis of a plumbing problem.
Given the large number of transactions expected to be processed through the system, Sydney Water has provided a thoughtful range of accessibility and connection options, including connection via smartphones, desktop computers, laptops and tablets. The easy and ‘always-on’ nature of accessibility will translate to the following benefits:
• Rapid access to pertinent information from any compatible web connected device at any time of the day or night,
• The capacity to save applications, even if incomplete, and even check on the progress of applications that have already been submitted,
• A speedier process given that Quick Check Agents no longer need to be used.
Using the new Sydney Water Tap In application is relatively simple and intuitive:
• Registration: Most users these days are familiar with registering for a service, so being able to register in less than a minute for the Sydney Water Tap In application makes it quick and easy,
• Searching: Once registered, it is possible to locate a property using the built in Google Maps function, typing in the address or typing in your Sydney Water account number. From this step, it is possible to select from a range of available services, including moving and relocating assets, infrastructure diagrams, building plan approvals, and so on. An online application form can then be completed and submitted. Incomplete forms can be saved during this step.
• Reviewing and Paying: The final step involves simply reviewing your application form and finalising payment.
Being able to register and access this type of information easily and at any time of day or night translates to positive benefits for developers, builders, tradespeople and homeowners who require information and possible approval for accessing Sydney Water infrastructure assets.
In the spirit of progressive thinking in a fast moving world where digital technology and instant communication is a normal part of daily life, Sydney Water should be applauded for their innovation.