Preventing wastewater pipe failure

We're continuing emergency work to manage and repair a leak in a wastewater pipe located deep underground near Darling Harbour. The leak remains contained, and we continue our ongoing investigation work to determine a safe and effective permanent repair solution.

What we’ve done so far

Stage 1 and 1a of the temporary flow management was completed before Christmas. This included construction of two diversion pipes, one at Wentworth Park, Glebe and the other at Quarry Street, Ultimo.

The diversion pipes are on standby and can be activated if the situation worsens. Currently they are only used when we do investigation work at the leak site as it diverts the wastewater from the leaking pipe, allowing access and visibility. This arrangement will remain in place until the permanent repair is done.

Current work - subsidence repair work on Jones Street, Ultimo

On Monday 9 February, a void was found under the road surface within the intersection of Quarry Street and Jones Street, Ultimo. A nearby maintenance hole was also found to be damaged. For safety reasons, we immediately fenced off the area and put traffic diversions in place so investigations could start.

This area will remain fenced-off and closed to traffic until repairs can be done. Traffic can still use Jones Street and Quarry Street outside the fenced area.

We'll update the community when we have more information.

This work will not interrupt your water or wastewater services.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we complete this critical work. 

We're continuing emergency work to repair a leak from a wastewater pipe located deep underground near Darling Harbour.

To support this work, we've installed two new wastewater pipes located beneath Wentworth Park in Glebe and in Quarry Street, Ultimo, as well as building a pumping station in the park. These pipes and pumping station will be used to divert some of the flow away from the leaking pipe and into other parts of our network.

From 7am Wednesday 28 Janaury to 5pm Friday 30 January, we'll be working 24 hours a day, using these new pipes to divert flows, so we can carry out CCTV inspections of the leaking pipe. This will help us gather further information on the leak, its cause and possible repair solutions.

You may notice:

• noise from diesel pump operations
• increased vehicle movements.

This work will not interrupt your water or wastewater services.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we complete this critical work.  

For 24-hour service difficulties or emergencies, please call 13 20 90.