Sydney's Ongoing Wild Weather Prompts Calls for New Drainage Policy

Sydney’s streets, awash with floodwaters yet again in what seems to be becoming an annual occurrence, have residents concerned about the impact of recurrent flood damage to their homes and possessions.

While many of the flooded areas are well known to be within flood zones, residents say that the floods are becoming more frequent, more severe and causing more damage than in the past.

This concern has led some residents to consider what might be contributing to the more severe inundation they are now experiencing, and their scrutiny has fallen squarely on other homeowners.

Amid another flush of wild weather, Sydney residents are demanding a review of current drainages systems, which just don’t seem equipped to cope.

What Have Residential Drainage Systems Got to Do with Flooding?

Residential drainage systems are designed to move water away from buildings and off the property without causing damage.

When they are well designed, they help protect properties from structural damage and unhealthy mould growth.

When they are poorly designed, such as in the case of a rooftop gutter system that isn’t fit for purpose, or poorly maintained, such as in the case of a blocked stormwater drain, they can cause considerable damage.

For the homeowner, this might include shifting foundations or cracked driveways, but what about when the problem literally floods out into the street?

If water isn’t moved through and off a property at the correct rate, a build-up of water can occur with the potential to affect the surrounding area.

City infrastructure is designed to handle a degree of flooding, with systems usually rated based on the frequency and severity of historic flooding.

When the system has to deal with higher volumes of water, for whatever reason, the system is placed under strain.

This is where homeowners come in, with some residents pointing at the large deciduous trees in areas such as the eastern suburbs of Sydney as potential culprits in blocking drains.

Short of cutting these magnificent old trees down, what can residents do?

A Plumber’s Role in Flood Mitigation

Before taking the axe to any tree, residents are advised to commission an outdoor drainage plan from a trusted local Sydney plumber.

This will help identify any drainage issues on the property and provide homeowners with a set of proposed solutions that help protect their property and minimise any contribution to town flood inundation.

With a professionally prepared outdoor drainage plan, residents can even put strategies in place to move water away from infrastructure while retaining it for longer in times of drought, making it a worthwhile investment in minimising the impact of extreme weather.