Drainage Issues

Stormwater is rainwater that runs over roads, footpaths, grassed areas, carparks, driveways, roofs and other surfaces. If it cannot enter underground drains, it follows low points, channels, roads or reserves to the nearest watercourse.
 

Your Responsibilities as a Property Owner

Property owners must manage water on their land to reduce damage during heavy rain:
  • Keep roof drainage, gutters, downpipes, stormwater pipes, inlet pits and other approved drainage parts clean and working
  • Maintain the stormwater pipe and outlet from your property to a legal point of discharge. In urban areas with kerb and gutter, this includes the concrete around the outlet
  • Accept natural overland flow from adjoining properties or public land
  • Do not divert, redirect or concentrate natural water flow onto neighbouring properties
  • Do not build walls or closed fencing that blocks the natural path of stormwater
  • Make sure all buildings, including sheds, have proper drainage connected to a legal point of discharge
  • Control water from hardstand areas such as concrete, paving and driveways. Where possible, reduce the amount of hard surfaces

When Council may take action

Council may investigate when surface water crosses a shared boundary from one property to another and one or more of these issues applies:
  • There is evidence the water is likely to physically damage land or buildings
  • A man-made structure or drain has directed or concentrated the water
  • Defective roof drainage from a building is causing the issue

When Council usually will not take action

Council usually will not act if:

  • Council run-off only happens during exceptionally heavy rain
  • The water is natural runoff from a higher property and has not been redirected
  • Water flows over existing hard surfaces such as driveways, concrete slabs or paved areas
  • An existing dwelling, building, shed, retaining wall or fence affects the way water moves
  • The runoff comes from approved development work built in line with its consent
  • The problem is caused by defective or blocked private drainage easement infrastructure, such as pipes or drainage pits

 

Who to Contact if There is a Problem

Issue

Who to Contact 

Blocked, damaged or broken Council infrastructure

 Report it to Council via the online form below

 Blocked, damaged or broken private infrastructure

 Contact a plumber

Burst water main, sewerage issue or water supply issue beyond private property

 Contact Sydney Water on 13 20 90 or visit www.sydneywater.com.au

Water coming from a neighbouring property

Speak with your neighbour first. If the issue cannot be resolved, contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays

 

Emergencies or flood events

 Contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500

 

How to Report Drainage Issues and Flooding 

Private Land

For drainage issues on private land please use this online form:

Private Stormwater Investigation

Public Land (Reserves & Nature Strips)

To report drainage issues or flooding on Public Land (Reserves & Nature Strips) use this online form:

 Drainage Investigation (Public Land)

More Information & FAQS

Shared drainage (between properties)

Inter-allotment drainage systems are private drainage lines that run through dedicated easements across properties. They are usually installed by the developer when a subdivision is built, so lots that cannot drain to the street can still drain safely.

  • Property owners who benefit from or are burdened by the easement are responsible for maintaining it
  • Council is not responsible unless it is listed as a benefiting authority on the Section 88B Instrument
  • Council will not usually become involved in neighbour disputes about blocked inter-allotment drainage easements
  • Council may receive and record a complaint, investigate whether it is valid, and check if damage has happened or is likely to happen
  • After investigating, Council may write to affected property owners about the complaint, the findings and their maintenance responsibilities
  • Council may offer to help affected owners meet and work towards a fair solution

Natural water flow and seepage

  • Natural flow is the way water moves downhill along the land’s natural slope before excavation, building or landscaping
  • Lower properties must accept natural water flow from higher properties
  • An owner may be responsible if they change the flow and make it more concentrated or damaging
  • Landscaping can change the shape of land and how water moves across it
  • Council is unlikely to investigate complaints about natural flow from one property to another
  • Council will not usually act on minor ponding along road verges where there is not enough fall. Council may investigate if ponding is more than 100mm deep
  • Seepage, or water soaking through soil, is the property owner’s responsibility to manage where possible
  • On excavated sloping blocks, seepage drains may be needed to collect water and direct it to an approved drainage system

Overland flooding

Localised overland flooding can happen when one or more of these things occur:

  • Rainfall is heavier than the stormwater or roof drainage system was designed to handle
  • Private inlet pits or pipes are too small or become blocked
  • A building, structure or fence blocks the overland flow path

You may be responsible if changes on your property make flooding worse for others.

Drainage easements with council involvement

  • A Council-benefiting drainage easement is privately owned land where Council has authority to carry out required work on drainage infrastructure
  • Infrastructure may include open channels, underground pipes and grated inlets that carry lot water, roof water and larger upstream flows
  • Council may maintain infrastructure such as pipes and concrete headwalls when needed to keep the system working
  • Property owners must still maintain the easement area, including private drains, open drains, overland flow paths and vegetation
  • Keep easements clear of shrubs and trees so water can flow properly
  • Council is not responsible for fixing ponding, scouring or silt build-up in open drains or swales
  • You need Council approval before doing work in a drainage easement area, even if the work is to improve access or make maintenance easier

Water flows over my property or ponds every time it rains. Will Council fix it?

Speak with your neighbour or a consulting engineer for advice on ways to improve drainage on your property.

Why does the table drain overflow during heavy rain?

Table drains are designed to overflow in heavy rainfall. This can create sheet flow across properties.

Will Council investigate ponding in a rural table drain?

Council may investigate and consider re-profiling the table drain if the ponding is not caused by driveways, is more than 100mm deep, and remains for at least 48 hours after rainfall.

Will Council investigate ponding in the gutter at the front of my property?

Council may investigate if the ponding affects the wheel path of vehicles.

When will Council not investigate gutter ponding?

Council will not usually investigate if the gutter is blocked by overgrown grass from the nature strip, driveway crossing or layback gradients are incorrect, or the kerb and gutter has settled or moved. If the kerb and gutter has settled or moved, Council may include repairs in the next planned road renewal.

Will Council pay to fix damage to my property?

Compensation may only apply if the damage was caused by Council negligence. Visit Council's “Insurance Claims” web page for information about making a claim.

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