Notification of sewage overflow and bypasses

Sydney Water provides notification of overflows or bypasses. These tables list all events that have occurred in the last seven days.

If you see an overflow, please phone Sydney Water on 13 20 90.

Greater Sydney Region including Blue Mountains

Dry weather

Event type	Link to description
Waterways	No Dry Weather Waterway Notification
Sewage treatment plant bypass	No Dry Weather STP bypass Notification

Wet weather

Event type	Link to description
Waterways	No Wet Weather Waterway Notification
Sewage treatment plant bypass	No Wet Weather STP bypass Notification
Sewage treatment plant overflow	No Wet Weather STP overflow Notification

Illawarra

Dry weather

Event type	Link to description
Waterways	No Dry Weather Waterway Notification
Sewage treatment plant bypass	No Dry Weather STP bypass Notification

Wet weather

Event type	Link to description
Waterways	No Wet Weather Waterway Notification
Sewage treatment plant bypass	No Wet Weather STP bypass Notification
Sewage treatment plant overflow	No Wet Weather STP overflow Notification

Why it happens

Sydney Water's sewerage system transports and treats sewage through a network of pipes, sewage pumping stations (SPSs) and sewage treatment plants (STPs).

In dry weather, overflows of sewage can occur for many reasons. For instance, when there is a blockage in a sewerage pipe caused by tree roots or other material, or if a pump fails at a pumping station. At treatment plants, bypasses may result from a power failure.

In wet weather, stormwater flows into the sewerage system and may exceed the system's capacity and result in overflows from our pipe network and/or the diversion (bypassing) of one or more process units at the treatment plant. These events are recognised within the Environment Protection Licences set by Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (NSW).

Sydney Water is committed to reducing overflows from our sewerage systems through our SewerFix, maintenance and improvement activities.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the sewer pipes and downpipes on their property to ensure plant roots and stormwater does not enter the sewerage system.

Definitions

Bypass	A sewage treatment plant bypass occurs when flows exceed the hydraulic design capacity of one or more process units, and are diverted by means of a civil structure. Bypassed flows may rejoin fully treated flows and receive further treatment in down stream processes.	Bypass click image to enlarge
Overflow	A sewage treatment plant bypass occurs when flows exceed the hydraulic design capacity of one or more process units, and are diverted by means of a civil structure. Bypassed flows may rejoin fully treated flows and receive further treatment in down stream processes.	Overflow click image to enlarge
Tree roots	Roots can damage sewer pipes, obstruct the flow and eventually cause blockage. Root damage can also let stormwater into pipes. During heavy rain this extra water can overload the sewerage system causing it to overflow into waterways and the environment. If the problem occurs in your private sewer pipes, it is your responsibility to have it fixed.	Tree Roots click image to enlarge