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Sewer Inspection Program

We regularly inspect the condition of the sewerage network on both our infrastructure and private properties.

The purpose of this work is to detect pipe cracks, breaks and other defects in the sewerage network that may allow rainwater, stormwater and groundwater to enter the sewerage network. Sewers aren’t designed to carry this water and it can contribute to sewage overflows.
Places covered by the Inspection Program from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 include:
  • Albion
  • Aspley
  • Boonah
  • Bridgeman Downs
  • Carseldine
  • Chermside West
  • Clayfield
  • Dugandan
  • Fitzgibbon
  • Gatton
  • Kalinga
  • Keperra
  • McDowall
  • Mitchelton
  • Taigum
  • Woolmar
  • Wooloowin
  • Zillmere
  • Aratula*
  • Northgate*
  • Toogoolawah*
  • Virginia*
*Due to unforeseen delays in the July 2023 to December 2023 inspection program, these suburbs are still being tested.

What can I expect?

The program involves smoke testing and visual inspections of the sewerage network and private properties.
The testing and inspections will be carried out by our water connection officers who can be easily identified by their identification cards (that must be produced on request).
Testing will be carried out Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
There should be no interruptions to sewerage services for customers as a result of these works and customers can use their taps, toilets, etc. as normal during inspections.

What is smoke testing?

Smoke testing is a method of detecting leaks and other defects in the sewerage network and involves blowing non-toxic smoke into sewer maintenance holes, which will then enter the sewerage pipes connecting to a property.
If the sewer pipe is functioning correctly, the smoke will escape through the household sewer vent. These vents are usually located through a roof or run up the side of a property.
If a sewer pipe has a crack or roof stormwater down pipe connected to it, the smoke will escape through the ground or from the roof guttering.

Do I need to do anything?

Each property will receive notification prior to inspectors entering private property. A Water Connection Officer from Urban Utilities may lawfully enter your property to assess the condition of the sewerage network, and any connected pipes.
Please provide clear and safe access to the outdoor areas of your property, and ensure that pets, particularly dogs are restrained.
If you need to make special arrangements for our visit, for example if you have a security system or locked gates, then please email our delivery partner, RAIN.
If there are any problems identified, we will send you a letter outlining the defects and how we can work together to rectify them.
Resolution
1. The Board APPROVED the Selective Inspection Program pursuant to sections 53CP and 53DNB of the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 (DR Act) under which a Water Connection Officer (appointed under section 53CK of the DR Act) may enter and inspect a place and perform a Water Connection Officer’s functions under the DR Act.
2. The Board APPROVED the:
a) PURPOSE of the Selective Inspection Program identification of:

  • points of stormwater inflow and infiltration into Urban Utilities’ network from private drainage or otherwise;
  • illegal discharges of prohibited substances (including stormwater) into Urban Utilities' network;
  • illegal connections to Urban Utilities' network on private property;
  • circumstances where a third party has built over or restricted access to Urban Utilities' network; and
  • changes in the surface of the land in a way that allows ponding of water over an access chamber in Urban Utilities network; and
  • reduction or elimination of customer impacts caused by sewer overflows from Urban Utilities' network.

b) DURATION of the Selective Inspection Program as the 6-month period commencing on 1 January 2024 with the expiry date of 30 June 2024.
c) OBJECTIVE CRITERIA for selecting the places to be entered and inspected by Water Connection Officers under the Selective Inspection Program include properties in the catchment areas where:
  • Repeated sewer overflows are occurring during wet weather from Urban Utilities’ network in location(s) where the customer or environmental impact has been assessed as high; or
  • A sewage pumping station or treatment plant is repeatedly experiencing significantly higher than normal wet weather inflows when compared to other similar sites in similar sized wet weather events; or
  • Such an inspection is required in order to ensure compliance with an environmental licence condition.
3. The Board APPROVED Urban Utilities publicly notifying and advertising the Board Resolutions 1 and 2 as required under sections 53CP and 53CQ of the DR Act.

4. The Board NOTED the update from Water Connection Officers regarding the Selective Inspection Program currently being carried out by Urban Utilities for the period 1 July 2023 - 31 December 2023.