Preventing sewer blockages

Problems in the sewerage system generally occur within the pipes, stopping the flow of sewage away from your home.

Responsibility for the maintenance of this network of pipes is shared between the property owner and South Gippsland Water.

For customers connected to a pressure sewer system in the townships of Alberton, Poowong, Loch and Nyora, refer to the Pressure Sewer System Homeowner Guide.

What is my responsibility?

The property owner is responsible for all of the fittings and pipes inside the property to the connection point with South Gippsland Water’s pipes. South Gippsland Water refers to this connection point as a ‘27A’ and generally this point will be near the property boundary.

Any pipes and fittings on the owner’s side of the South Gippsland Water connection point (27A), including the Boundary Trap (BT) and the Inspection Shaft (IS), are the responsibility of the property owner. This means any repairs, replacement or maintenance costs associated with these pipes and fittings are the responsibility of the property owner.

What happens if my pipes are not maintained?

If you don’t take precautions, your sewer may become blocked. The most common causes of sewer blockage include:

• Tree roots penetrating the pipe
• A build-up of oils and fats that have been put down the sink
• Foreign materials such as sanitary products and food scraps that have been flushed or put down the sink
• Damaged and broken pipes, allowing soil and pieces of the pipe to block the sewer

How can I maintain my pipes?

The best maintenance is prevention.

• When planting trees, always check with a nursery for advice on the most appropriate species for your circumstances and planting location.
• Make sure you are disposing of your household waste appropriately.
• Do not pour oils, fats and food scraps down the sink or toilet.
• Do not dispose of sanitary products and cotton buds down the toilet.
• Regularly engage a plumber to check your sewer pipes and clean them if necessary.

What happens when a blockage occurs?

This will depend on the severity of the blockage. Some may only cause sinks to drain more slowly, others can cause sewage to spill from gully traps outside or even spill from the toilet or basin inside the house.

What should I do if I have a blockage?

You need to determine exactly where the problem is. If you cannot identify the issue, call us on 1300 851 636.

• If the blockage is in the Property Service Drain, the property owner is responsible and will need to engage a plumber.
• If the blockage is in the Sewer Connection Drain, South Gippsland Water will fix the problem at no cost.
• If it is unclear as to where the blockage is, please contact South Gippsland Water. Our team will then clear the blockage at our cost if the blockage is in a South Gippsland Water responsible Sewer Connection Drain, or provide you with options for clearing the blockage in your pipes.

For more information on which pipes you are responsible for and the process to rectify a blockage please see read Sewer Blockages – What pipes are you responsible for