Service difficulties
and emergency
service: 13 20 90
Sewage overflow to waterway notification
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 and Conservation (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.
Sydney Water provides notification of overflows or bypasses. Select your region to identify the waterways affected over the last seven days.
Greater Sydney Region including Blue Mountains
If you see an overflow, please phone Sydney Water on 13 20 90.
Bypass
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Overflow
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Tree Roots
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