Why am I responsible for sewer pipe that isn't on my property?

It surprises a lot of homeowners. Your house's sewer pipe doesn't stop at your front fence. It runs all the way to where it connects into Sydney Water's sewer main, and if that main is under the footpath or the middle of the road, your private pipe goes there too. Sydney Water's position is that the property owner is responsible for their connection to the sewer, so a blockage or break in that section is usually yours to fix. Here's why, and what happens when it goes wrong.

Where your responsibility ends

Why it works this way

Each home's sewer pipe serves only that home, so it's treated as private, even where it has to cross public land to reach the main. Sydney Water looks after the shared network; owners look after the pipe that serves them. Our sewer responsibility guide explains it in more detail.

When the problem is under the footpath or road

• Find it first: we clear the line and use a camera and locator to see exactly where the problem is and how deep.
• Relining is often best: pipe relining repairs the pipe from inside, so there's often no need to dig up the footpath or road.
• If digging is needed: work on the footpath or road needs council approval and traffic control, which we arrange.
• If it's Sydney Water's: if the camera shows the fault is in the main or junction, or in a section they cover, we'll give you the footage to report it.

You get clear options and a fixed price before any work starts.

In southern Eastern Suburbs homes

In parts of Maroubra, Kingsford and Kensington, the sewer main runs under the street, and private lines cross the footpath to reach it. Street tree roots often get into the section under the nature strip.

Related help: sewer responsibility guide, pipe relining, CCTV drain inspection and shared sewer lines. Local pages: blocked drains Maroubra, blocked drains Kingsford, blocked drains Kensington and blocked drains Matraville.