Unauthorised stormwater connections = sewerage on your property!

Published on 16 December 2016

With the summer wet season now upon us, Fitzroy River Water (FRW) would like to remind customers of the need to ensure that stormwater is not entering the sewerage network on their properties.

Excessive stormwater entry into the sewerage network can create a number of significant problems for the community.

FRW recently completed the South Rockhampton component of an inspection program aimed at identifying locations where stormwater is entering the sewerage network during wet weather events.

Council’s Water Committee Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said 32 out of 1,212 inspected properties were found to have major unauthorised stormwater or downpipe connections.

“The majority of those detected were stormwater downpipes illegally connected to sewer overflow relief gullies, and therefore directing stormwater to the sewer network,” Cr Fisher said.

“Stormwater downpipes and groundwater should not be directed to the sewage system as it can cause sewage overflow onto a property, posing serious health risks.

“Even 3-5 downpipes pointing towards the sewer network can be sufficient to cause a localised sewer overflow on a property, so it is very important we act on this,” he said.

FRW will work with identified customers to ensure their illegal connections are rectified as soon as possible, given that the summer wet season is now here.

Cr Fisher said it was very important that all other property owners in the Region checked their stormwater downpipes and ensured their risk of sewage overflow was minimised.

“We hope to continue the inspection program in early 2017 in other parts of Rockhampton so we can continue to work with the community and address the issue of excessive stormwater entering the sewerage network,” he said.

If you think your stormwater pipes are connected to the sewerage network instead of stormwater drains, you should contact a licensed plumber.

Further information on what you can do to ensure you do not experience sewer overflow can be found here: http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/Council-Services/Fitzroy-River-Water/Tips-at-the-Tap/Get-it-right-at-the-pipe

Images: Unauthorised stormwater downpipes illegally connected or directed to the sewerage network.