A homeowner and a Sydney Water worker are examining an open sewer drain, with the worker pointing inside.

Who Is Responsible for a Blocked Sewer Drain in Sutherland Shire?

June 5, 20250

When a sewer drain gets blocked, the first question homeowners often ask is: who’s responsible for fixing it? Is it your job, the neighbour’s, or the council’s? Understanding your responsibilities when it comes to sewer blockages is essential, not just for prompt repairs, but to avoid disputes and unnecessary costs. In this guide, SE Plumbing explains how sewer ownership works in Sutherland Shire, what types of blockages fall under your care, and when to call your local plumber.

Understanding Sewer Line Ownership in NSW

In New South Wales, responsibility for sewer maintenance is generally shared between the property owner and Sydney Water. The breakdown looks like this:

  • You are responsible for all sewer pipes located within your property boundary
  • Sydney Water is responsible for the main public sewer lines, which are typically located outside the boundary and service multiple properties

To determine the exact boundary, you may need to consult your property’s sewer service diagram or contact Sydney Water directly.

What You’re Responsible For as a Homeowner

If a blockage occurs inside your boundary, you’re responsible for arranging and paying for repairs. This includes:

  • Sewer pipes from your home to the boundary connection point
  • Internal drains and fixtures (toilets, sinks, floor wastes)
  • Any tree roots that have entered pipes on your property
  • Replacing damaged, cracked, or collapsed pipes under your land

Our Blocked Drains service can help you identify exactly where the problem lies.

When Sydney Water Is Responsible

If the blockage occurs in the main sewer line outside your boundary, it becomes the responsibility of Sydney Water. This usually applies to:

  • Shared sewer mains in laneways, nature strips or roadways
  • Community sewer infrastructure in duplexes or unit complexes
  • Sewer service points after the last inspection shaft at your boundary

Sydney Water may still ask for a licensed plumber’s report before investigating. Our team at SE Plumbing can provide this through our Emergency Plumbing services.

Common Scenarios and Who Pays

Here are some typical examples of blocked sewer problems and who is responsible for fixing them:

  • Blocked toilet inside your home – Homeowner responsibility
  • Tree roots in backyard sewer pipe – Homeowner responsibility
  • Overflowing inspection point at front lawn – Depends on location; plumber can assess
  • Multiple houses affected on the same street – Likely a Sydney Water responsibility
  • Stormwater flooding driveway – Typically the homeowner, unless council pipes are involved

Our Leak Detection and Prevention team can help identify and map out pipe ownership during inspections.

How to Tell Where the Blockage Is

Licensed plumbers use CCTV drain cameras to inspect the pipework and determine the location of the blockage.

  • If it’s found inside your property line, it’s your responsibility to repair it
  • If the issue is outside your boundary, we’ll prepare a report for Sydney Water
  • We’ll also advise you of your options and costs before proceeding

Don’t wait, if you suspect a blocked sewer, call SE Plumbing on 0414 651 351 or book a camera inspection online.

What If Your Neighbour’s Pipes Are Involved?

Sometimes sewer pipes from two properties join at a common point. In this case:

  • You’re responsible for your own section of pipe up to the connection point
  • If the blockage is after the point where both homes connect, it may be shared responsibility
  • A licensed plumber can investigate and help mediate any confusion

SE Plumbing regularly assists with Broken or Damaged Pipes that involve neighbouring properties and strata.

What If It’s a Council Stormwater Drain, Not a Sewer?

Sewer and stormwater systems are different. If the blockage is in a stormwater line:

  • Council is only responsible for the public stormwater system beyond your connection
  • You are responsible for stormwater drains on your property, including yard pits and gutters

If you’re unsure whether the issue is sewer or stormwater, our Emergency Plumbing team can inspect and advise.

Who to Call First

If you notice any of the following, call SE Plumbing first for fast assistance:

  • Sewer smells coming from the garden or bathroom
  • Water backing up into toilets or floor drains
  • Gurgling sounds in plumbing fixtures
  • Overflowing sewer grates during dry weather

We’ll inspect the drain with CCTV, identify the cause, and let you know who is responsible. If it’s your issue, we’ll clear it on the spot. If it’s Sydney Water’s responsibility, we’ll give you a report to pass on.

Final Thoughts

Knowing who’s responsible for a blocked sewer drain can save you stress, time, and unnecessary costs. In most cases, if the blockage is within your boundary, it’s your job to fix it. But when in doubt, SE Plumbing is here to help. We’ll assess, inspect, and fix the problem, or refer it to Sydney Water if it’s beyond your property line.
Call SE Plumbing on 0414 651 351 or book a drainage inspection online to get clear answers and reliable service from your trusted Sutherland Shire plumbing team.