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  5. Sewer network testing

To ensure that we continue to deliver safe and reliable sewerage services that meet our community's needs, we will be inspecting the sewer network in areas where sewage overflows are most often experienced. 

Why are we inspecting the sewer network?

The stormwater system and the sewer network are two separate systems that shouldn't mix. However, during storms, cyclones and heavy rain, our sewer network can be overloaded with large volumes of stormwater (infiltration), which can cause sewer overflows and potentially impact properties. In addition, some outdoor infrastructure on your property can be incorrectly connected to our sewer network adding to the volume of water. Our sewerage network is not designed to carry rainwater runoff from roofs and yards (inflow). 

We will be inspecting our sewerage infrastructure and your outdoor connections in certain areas during our sewer network testing. During this time we require access to external areas of your property, including your backyard. If any defective or non-compliant connections are found at your property a letter will be sent to you advising what needs to be fixed. 

Our factsheet explains inflow and infiltration, and what residents can do to help minimise sewer overflows at their properties.

Find out more - Factsheet

What is Unitywater doing to help

Our team will also work to identify and rectify any leaks and cracks in underground infrastructure. 

Timing and suburbs

Our crews will carry out the sewer network testing between January to June 2024 in these suburbs:

  • Aroona
  • Bokarina
  • Buddina
  • Buderim
  • Caloundra
  • Currimundi 
  • Golden Beach
  • Kings Beach
  • Little Mountain
  • Minyama
  • Moffat Beach
  • Pelican Waters
  • Shelly Beach
  • Tanawha
  • Warana
  • Wurtulla

Sewer network testing FAQs

We will let you know at least 14 days before we commence sewer network testing at your property. You will receive a notification card in your letter box. 

We will only require access to external areas of your property, including your backyard. Please contact the representative on the works notification card if special access arrangements need to be made due to a security gate or pets.

Please note, we will never request access inside your home and all our team members will carry identification. 

  • We'll be using a machine to blow non-toxic smoke into the sewer pipes to identify infrastructure defects (this is known as smoke testing).
  • We may take photographs of sewerage infrastructure and your outdoor connections to our network as part of our investigations.
  • Your sewerage services will not be interrupted during this time. 

You may see small puffs of non-toxic smoke coming up through sewer maintenance holes in the ground and sewer vents, which are usually located on the roof of your property. We use this smoke to see where non-compliant connections are located. 

Smoke testing is a well established procedure used by water utilities for many years. The smoke is non-toxic, non-flammable and safe for people and pets. 
 

Please contact our local Customer Service team at customer.service@unitywater.com or 1300 086 489 (Project reference number: UW000967).

What you can do to help stop sewer problems 

If you're the property owner, you are responsible for all the pipe work and plumbing fixtures on your private property, and for any associated blockages and problems that may occur. (Any leaks, cracks or bursts in pipes on public land - like the roadside or footpath - are Unitywater's responsibility.)

To prevent issues with your toilets and pipes, you should regularly check and maintain your plumbing, and also be aware of the location of your pipes when planting or digging in your garden:

Check your ORG Make sure your downpipes are legal





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