Dig and Repair work

Sydney Water regularly checks its wastewater pipes for damage using closed circuit television.  When these inspections find sections of pipe that are cracked, collapsed or damaged, dig and repair work may be required.

Around 7,000 dig and repair jobs are expected to be carried out throughout the Sydney, Illawarra and Blue Mountains area over the next seven years. The repairs keep Sydney Water’s system operating effectively helping protect the environment and public health.

Dig and repair jobs usually take only 1-3 days to complete and involve:

• excavation to expose the broken wastewater pipe
• replacement of the broken section of wastewater pipe
• restoration of the site to existing condition

Dig and repair work is carried out on public land and private property. 

When the work is on private property, owners and residents will be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance.  The area where will work will take place is photographed to ensure there is a record of its condition before work has commenced. A home plan is also completed with owners.

A home plan is an agreement between Sydney Water and the property owner outlining the details of the work to be undertaken and anything the owner wants taken into account when the work is being done. For example there may be children or pets on the property.