Who is responsible for my drains or sewers?

Categories: Sewerage

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What is a drain?

A drain is a pipe that serves one property. All water and wastewater is carried along this pipe into the sewer system.

What is a main sewer?

Main sewers are  underground pipes that transport sewage (wastewater mixed with human waste), and rainwater  from drains into waste treatment plants

Homeowner’s responsibility

Homeowners are responsible for repairs to drains that serve their property and lies beneath the property, garden or driveway.

If you think you might have a blocked pipe or drain, there are some key signs to look out for:

  • A bad smell coming from your drains
  • Your toilet is taking more time to flush than usual
  • Waste or sewage coming back up in the toilet or sink

For issues within the property boundary, you should call a plumber or an independent drain clearing company to help you. You can find a list of trusted tradespeople in your area via the Drainsafe website.

If you are still not sure whose responsibility it is, contact your sewerage provider – and keep a record of your contact, in case the company tells you the blockage is private and you find out later that it wasn’t.

Company responsibility

Wastewater companies are responsible for the large sewers that are normally found under the road or pavement.

If a main sewer is blocked, your wastewater company is responsible for clearing this. If there is shared pipework, connecting to a public sewer, your company is also responsible for maintenance (see diagram above). If there’s a blockage in the sewer network that’s affecting your property or your neighbours, you should contact your wastewater company and let them know.

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