Melton facts for plumbing
One in three rented
At the 2021 Census, 34.4% of homes in the suburb of Melton were rented, above Victoria's 28.5%. 83.3% were separate houses and 16.5% townhouses or semis.
Unsewered land in the City
Council's 2025-2030 plan says just over 1,600 properties across the City of Melton aren't connected to sewer, with clusters at Kurunjang, Croxton Drive, Sugar Gum Drive, Strathtulloh and Toolern Vale.
Who sewers the urban areas
The same plan says Greater Western Water provides sewerage across the City's urbanised areas, mostly gravity sewers with pump stations and rising mains.
Permits for onsite systems
A Council permit is needed before an onsite wastewater system is installed or altered, and the site plan must be completed by the plumber installing it.
Check the water bill
Melton isn't on the suburb lists in South East Water's or Yarra Valley Water's reports. Check your bill to see which of Melbourne's three retailers serves the property: that company's rules decide who pays for a sewer blockage.
If it's Greater Western Water, its sewer maintenance page asks owners to keep the inspection shaft accessible and above ground at all times. Where the shaft is within 1 metre of the boundary, it says Greater Western Water is responsible up to the Inspection Opening (27A fitting).
Septic systems and connecting to sewer
Council's plan says premises with failed septic systems in sewered areas should be connected to sewer as a priority, and lists ageing septic tanks among the risks. If sewer is available, Council tells owners to contact the water authority, and to check with Greater Western Water whether the property is on a main sewer.
Installing or altering a system is a two-stage permit process with inspections, penalties apply to work done without a permit, and a Land Capability Assessment may be needed. Our septic systems page explains what a plumber checks.
Renting in Melton
From 1 March 2027, when a rental's hot water system permanently fails and can't be repaired, the rental standards require an efficient heat pump water heater or an electric-boosted solar water heater. Every upgrade under the standards is eligible for a VEU discount.
See hot water in Melbourne and heat pump hot water, or for other jobs blocked drains in Melbourne and an emergency plumber.
What we would do
Before a sewer blockage is worked on, confirm your retailer from the bill and find the inspection shaft. If the property is on septic and sewer runs past it, talk to Council and the retailer about connecting before spending on an ageing system. Landlords should line up a hot water specialist who knows the 2027 standard before the old system fails, not after.