Get help with drainage problems on your property
Drainage issues can cause serious problems if they are not addressed. Contact a licensed plumber to carry out drainage inspections and maintenance.
Project Status: When you need to do this
Drainage issues may arise when used water that normally goes down sinks, toilets and drains starts leaking from a pipe. People can get very sick if exposed to raw sewage as it contains harmful bacteria.
Property owners are responsible for the water pipes connected to their place, including those that are shared with neighbours. This is regardless of where the pipes are located on the land. While disputes can sometimes take place, the City of Sydney encourages neighbours to share the cost of repair when pipes suffer from drainage problems.
What you need to do
-
Don’t do it yourself
Only a licensed plumber can carry out drainage inspections and maintenance.
-
Contact a plumber
Many underground pipe issues are noticed when there is a blockage somewhere in the property. Blockages must be cleared before drainage problems are investigated. Contact a plumber if you notice:
- a sink overflowing
- waste coming out of an inspection chamber (used for sewer access by inspectors)
- a toilet emptying very slowly
- foul smell that doesn’t go away
- dirty water, toilet paper or sewage coming up on to land
- water escaping from an underground pipe and washing away soil.
Repeated blockings may be the sign of damaged pipes that need to be repaired. Speak to your plumber about your concerns.
Other information
The City of Sydney’s role
If you are concerned that your neighbours are not helping to have a drainage problem fixed, we can intervene where there is a risk to public safety. We can also investigate complaints about private drainage that are not resolved by building owners.
The council has the power to issue a property owner with an order or notice under the Local Government Act 1993 and/or Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, to repair broken sewer or stormwater drainage pipes to ensure land is or premises are kept in a safe and healthy condition.
Under the law, the council also has the power to direct the occupier or owner of the premise to immediately engage a licensed plumber to investigate and repair a damaged or blocked sewer system.
Sydney Water
Mains sewers are the responsibility of Sydney Water. You can obtain copies of drainage plans from Sydney Water to see who shares certain sections of the pipe network.
You should contact Sydney Water immediately if you notice sewage is coming from a utility hole cover on the road or footpath.
