Wet weather overflows
What do I do if there's been a sewage overflow?
Avoid contact with the sewage and keep clear of contaminated items. Stop using toilets and turn off any taps, and check your overflow relief gully is clear and unobstructed.
If the overflow is outside: Please report a fault or call us on 13 23 64 (24/7) and we’ll send a crew to assist and disinfect the area as soon as we can. Please be aware there can be a delay while we wait for heavy rain to subside and the overflow to stop before our crews can begin.
If the overflow is inside: Call your insurer. They’ll be able to arrange the cleanup and advise you on next steps. If you’re renting, call your property manager or landlord straight away. We’re not able to enter your home or complete internal disinfections.
What causes wet weather overflows?
Wet weather overflows can occur when rainwater overwhelms the stormwater network and spills over into the sewer system. They tend to happen during significant rainfall events, with properties in low-lying and flood-affected areas most at risk. They can also occur as a result of improper stormwater-to-sewer connections.
Stormwater and sewerage networks are separate systems, designed differently to meet different needs.
- Stormwater pipes collect rainwater run-off and direct it into the stormwater network where it’s fed into waterways.
- The sewerage network carries sewage from bathrooms, kitchens and laundries to treatment plants for processing.
- While sewer pipes are typically designed to carry five times the average dry weather flows, they are generally much smaller in diameter than stormwater pipes. If rainwater overwhelms the stormwater network and spills over into the sewer system, sewage may back up which can lead to an overflow.
The local council manages and maintains the stormwater network, which directs untreated stormwater to local creeks, rivers and waterways. Urban Utilities’ sewer pipes collect wastewater and sewage from your property, transporting it to a treatment plant.
Frequently asked questions
During our normal operations we have a range of programs to help reduce wet weather overflows by:
- Prioritising network upgrades in low-lying areas where wet weather overflows occur most often.
- Providing ongoing maintenance, including CCTV inspections and regular cleaning, to identify cracks and clear blocked sewer pipes.
- Utilising innovative technologies and remote controlled robots to access and inspect the sewer system.
- Conducting smoke testing to find where stormwater is entering the sewerage system and contributing to overflows.