Who looks after what in the valley
Hunter Water's share
Hunter Water's supply network covers Cessnock, Maitland and Dungog, but only small parts of Singleton. Its smaller valley treatment works include Branxton (Branxton, East Branxton and Greta), Kurri Kurri (Kurri Kurri, Weston, Abermain, Heddon Greta and nearby) and Paxton (Paxton, Ellalong and Millfield).
Singleton runs its own sewer
Singleton Council provides sewer services to about 14,709 customers in Singleton's urban footprint, including Singleton town, Singleton Heights and Maison Dieu. Branxton and North Rothbury are the exception: Hunter Water runs their sewer under a special agreement with Council.
The Vineyards District is Cessnock's
Cessnock City Council plans land use in the Cessnock Vineyards District, so septic approvals there are Cessnock City Council's, along with any tree permits that apply.
Floods are managed across councils
The NSW Government's Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme uses levees, floodways and floodgates across several council areas. Proposed works in, on or next to its levees, or within declared floodplains, must go to the state's water department first.
Septic and aerated systems off the sewer
A property that isn't connected to a sewer has to treat its wastewater on site, and both Cessnock and Singleton councils regulate those systems. In Cessnock, installing, altering or running one without Council approval is an offence.
Singleton Council's own rules show what upkeep looks like. A septic tank needs de-sludging every 3 to 5 years, depending on use. An aerated system must never be switched off and needs servicing every 3 to 4 months by a Council-approved provider. New systems need an Approval to Operate, renewed each year. Other councils set their own conditions, so check yours. Our septic systems page explains what a plumber checks.
On Singleton's sewer
Singleton Council asks owners to find and look at the sewer inspection shaft near the boundary before calling Council or a plumber. That tells you whether the blockage is in the property's pipes or Council's main. The owner looks after every pipe inside the property; a blockage in the main is one to report to Council.
What we would do
Before booking, work out who provides your sewer: Hunter Water, Singleton Council or no one. If no one does, dig out your septic or aerated system's approval and service records and keep them handy for the plumber or service agent. If the job is near a levee, or is part of building or extending in a mine subsidence district, check what approval is needed first.
Towns and services
See Cessnock and Maitland for those towns, or go by job: blocked drains, hot water and an emergency plumber. Only the plumber who takes your job gets your contact details.