Who is responsible for stormwater drains?

What are stormwater drains?

Stormwater is the rainfall that runs off the land surface and is collected in drains. The stormwater is collected by the council's stormwater drainage system and discharged into the surrounding waterways. Faulty stormwater drains can have serious ramifications like pollution, flooding, and damage to buildings and the environment.

How does stormwater drainage work?

Stormwater drains collect the water runoff from building roofs and the ground surface which is then connected to Brisbane’s council drainage system. The drainage systems are designed, installed and tested according to Australia/ New Zealand 3500.3:2018 Plumbing and Drainage Standard for Stormwater drains.

Stormwater drainage systems comprise 3 drainage systems:

Roof
Surface
Subsoil

The stormwater drains into the following point-of-discharges:

Existing concrete slabs, kerbs and channels
Stormwater pits connected to the local council’s stormwater drainage system
Rubble pit or Soakage Pits

Stormwater is different from sewage. Sewage consists of wastewater collected from households and is treated by wastewater collection facilities. However, stormwater is usually not treated and it is discharged to water bodies. Therefore, it is important to maintain the stormwater drainage systems regularly and fix the issues in a timely manner.

Who is responsible for maintaining the stormwater drainage system?

Property Owners

In Queensland, the property owners are responsible for managing the drains on their property to the council’s drain.

Council

The local council maintains the drains outside your property and is NOT responsible for private stormwater drainage systems.

Note: You cannot connect your stormwater drainage to the sewage system or redirect it to your neighbours’ property.

Problems caused by poor stormwater drainage systems

Poor stormwater drainage maintenance can lead to issues like:

Termite infestation
Damage to flooring, timber framing, roof structure and building materials
Infiltration of water in reactive clay-type soil can lead to structural damage. Clay-type soil can swell if the moisture content increases and can lead to cracks in walls. If the soil under a building is waterlogged you can often see cracks on the internal and external parts of the wall, and the doors, windows or floors might also become uneven. There could also be a growth of mould or a musty smell in your house. Check your house regularly for damp or waterlogged soil, cracks on the wall or misalignment of the floors, doors or windows.
Water ingress in the house through walls, around windows or in the basement.
Blocked stormwater drains and pits - can get accumulated with tree roots and debris and cause water to get backed up.

Maintain your stormwater drains

The storm season in Queensland is intense. If your stormwater drains are not managed properly, they can cause serious damage to your property and the environment. So how do you manage the stormwater drains?

Get your stormwater drains cleaned twice a year by professionals. The drains can get clogged by tree roots or other debris. With the help of water jetters, robotic cutters, and CCTV drain cameras, the blockages in the drains can be cleaned and removed.
Inspect the roofs, gutters and downpipes regularly and if you notice waterlogging or leaks, contact your local plumber immediately.

Stormwater drainage solutions Brisbane

Whether you have a blocked pipe, clogged stormwater pits or broken pipes, Reline Solutions can help. Regular maintenance of your stormwater drainage systems can prevent expensive repairs. Contact us today at 0403 355 550 or complete our online stormwater drain clearing booking form .