What is the difference between sewer and stormwater drainage?
We are often surprised that most households are not aware of the difference between their sewer drainage and their stormwater drainage.
So we have made it our number one priority for this month to inform our customers of the difference, and ensure that they know of the measures they can put in place to eliminate any plumbing problems in the future.
What is Sewer Drainage?
The sewer drainage in your home is the system of underground pipes that carries your waste and sewerage from your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, sinks or other plumbing components in your home. It is then drained through to respective waste treatment plants where waste is then discharged into our waterways.
What is Stormwater Drainage?
Stormwater drainage is any water which rains off a site due to rainfall. So, when we are talking about the stormwater drainage in your home, we are referring to stormwater as any rain which runs off your roofs, driveways, roads or pathways. This water then runs directly into our waterways and does not get filtered in the process.
Why do we need drainage for stormwater?
When areas become urbanised there are more hard surfaces, such as rooftops, driveways, roads and pathways, and these do not absorb the rainfall. In natural landscapes the grasslands or gardens could soak up the water, but in developed areas, it doesn’t seep through the places surfaced with concrete, asphalt, paving or tiles, so stormwater drainage systems have to be added. The stormwater drains funnel the shed water and carry it away from buildings. However, the stormwater is then released in the sea, streams, rivers or lakes.
What is the difference between sewer and stormwater drainage?
- Sewers are designed to carry solid waste. Stormwater drains are designed to carry water.
- Sewers carry waste to sewage waste treatment plants where the sewage is properly treated before disposal in waterways. Stormwater drains transport excess rainwater directly to waterways, such as the sea, streams, rivers and lakes usually without any treatment.
- Sewage systems are man-made systems. Stormwater drainage can be man-made or natural.
- Sewers have to be closed systems. Stormwater drains can be open to the elements.
- In NSW, sewers are generally maintained by the water utility (such as Sydney Water), up to the connection point with a property. In NSW, the water utility maintains stormwater channels and pipes across LGAs; the local councils maintain the stormwater drains outside a property; and property owners are responsible for maintaining drains within their home up to the mains connection.
Some important things to note when it comes to both your sewer and stormwater drainage:
- It is essential that you do not pour chemicals down any drainage to relieve a blockage, as this can often make it much worse,
- Keep stormwater drains clear of debris such as leaves or grass clippings,
- Maintain leakages or burst pipes throughout your sewer drainage. If left unattended leaks can lead into much more serious problems. Such as requiring the excavation of your gardens or driveway, making simple drainage maintenance a costly measure, and
- Always contact a plumber if you think they may be an issue with your sewer or stormwater drainage, we can provide expert advice and superior services to ensure we get to the bottom of every plumbing problem you may be experiencing throughout your home.
For a plumber throughout the Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Sutherland Shire call Curran Plumbing today.
