Have you ever wondered who’s responsible for the maintenance of stormwater drains? While you may usually have a good idea of who takes care of roads, pothole repair, and sewers, this specialised type of infrastructure often gets overlooked. This blog post dives into the diversity of responsibilities behind stormwater management. Who pays for stormwater drains is an important question, and with this blog post we seek to answer it to help you to stay on top of your stormwater responsibilities. But you may need to get a professional plumber to help if you are having issues with this.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water that originates from rainfall events and snow or ice melt, which flows over the land surface rather than infiltrating into the ground. It is an important natural resource that benefits all living things on planet Earth through its ability to help regulate temperature, support healthy watersheds, habitat for wildlife, and more. Although stormwater captures many pollutants from urban areas as it travels over land surfaces, it has the potential to cause significant environmental impacts if mismanaged or poorly planned in urban development projects. In order to manage stormwater sustainably, local governments have enacted regulations to control runoff and ensure appropriate mitigation systems are in place so that our natural resources are protected.
The Responsibility for Stormwater Drains by State
You may be wondering exactly whose responsibility it is to take care of the stormwater drainage in your state, so we’re going to run through some of them here.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory enforces a range of legislation to protect and preserve the environment. All local government authorities have an obligation to flush out stormwater systems and regularly inspect drainage infrastructure. The government shares responsibility with residents too – individuals living within the ACT are duty-bound to keep structures such as drains clear from debris and silt that could cause flooding or blockages. It’s up to everybody to contribute when it comes to preserving the environment.
New South Wales
New South Wales carries a large responsibility when it comes to managing stormwater drains. Stormwater runoff is managed through local councils, which have programs in place for assessing sites, developing and implementing plans, as well as community engagement directed at protecting waterways. Additionally, they are able to step in if stormwater is affecting your private property after coming from another private property.
Queensland
The state of Queensland in Australia is making major efforts to ensure the responsible care of stormwater drains. The Department of Environment and Science is actively leading the charge to promote stormwater treatment solutions, by supporting ventures. However, homeowners are responsible for their own stormwater drains, pipes, gutters, downpipes, pits, and anything else related to their own land, whereas the state covers everything else.
South Australia
In South Australia, stormwater drains are managed by local councils. They develop plans for the construction and operation of the drains, and the maintenance requirements, and ensure that they are safe to use. If a stormwater system is not correctly installed or maintained, it can cause flooding or lead to environmental damage due to pollution or soil erosion. To avoid these problems, property owners must regularly inspect their drainage systems and take action when necessary.
Be sure to stay on top of your stormwater responsibilities or get professional advice about stormwater runoff on your property today.
