Who Is Responsible For Stormwater Drains In Victoria?

Have you spotted a pool of water in your yard after heavy rain? Maybe you’ve seen the wet stuff gushing from a blocked drain near your driveway. No matter what’s led you right here, it’s perfectly natural to wonder – who is responsible for storm water drains? Do you need to fix it, or is it the council’s problem? Let’s dive in.

In Victoria, as is basically the case in the rest of Australia, stormwater drainage responsibility is split between homeowners, local councils, and water authorities. But where does your responsibility begin and end? Knowing this helps you avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs – even potential legal issues!

In our guide, we’re going to break down:

Exactly what you’re responsible for as a homeowner
What’s handled by the local council or Melbourne Water and Barwon Water
And answer ‘How do I find stormwater pipes on my property VIC wide’ if you have no idea where to even begin!

Stormwater Melbourne and Geelong: Understand your responsibilities

Managing your stormwater is absolutely critical for preventing flooding, erosion, and property damage – particularly in Victoria! Our notoriously heavy downpours can overwhelm drainage systems in a flash. But understand this as well: Not all stormwater drains are your responsibility. Some responsibility belongs to the council, some to Melbourne Water or Barwon Water, and some to private developments.

So how on earth do you figure out what’s yours to deal with? Let’s break it all down step by step:

1. Start by identifying where the problem is

The first step in determining responsibility is locating where the drainage issue is occurring.

Is the issue on your property?: It’s most likely your responsibility. This includes gutters, downpipes, drains, and pipes that direct water away from your house.

Is the problem outside your property boundary?: It may fall under the responsibility of your local council or Melbourne Water and Barwon Water.

As a general rule of thumb, if the drain is within your property, it’s your responsibility. If it’s under a public road, a footpath, or a park, it’s the council’s responsibility.

2. How to find stormwater pipes on your property

Do you suspect a blockage, a leak, or overflow? You’ll need to locate your stormwater pipes before taking any further action. But how?:

Check your property plans: Your property’s drainage layout should be in the documents you received when buying or building your home.

Ask your local council: Councils keep drainage plans and can provide information about approved stormwater discharge points.

Use a pipe locator service: Some professional plumbers (like Fix-It Right Plumbing!) use advanced tools to locate stormwater pipes underground.

If your property lacks clear drainage plans, getting a professional to map out your stormwater plumbing can help prevent future flooding issues.

3. Who is responsible for stormwater drains on public land?

Once stormwater leaves your property, it flows into public drainage systems – and they’re managed by the local council or Melbourne Water and Barwon Water.

Local councils manage public drains and pits under roads, parks, and footpaths.
Melbourne Water and Barwon Water oversee major drainage networks and flood prevention infrastructure.

If you notice a blocked or overflowing drain on a street or public land, contact your local council – don’t try to fix it yourself!

4. Your responsibilities as a property owner

If your home’s stormwater system is blocked or not working properly, let us reiterate – You, yes you, are responsible for fixing it!

Your responsibilities include:

Maintaining gutters and downpipes, by regularly clearing leaves, dirt, and debris to prevent blockages.
Ensuring legal discharge of stormwater, because your property’s drainage must connect to a legal stormwater outlet, such as the council stormwater system.
Fixing damaged or blocked private drains, remembering that if a drain on your property is blocked, cracked, or collapsed, you need to arrange those repairs by yourself.

EXTRA TIP: If stormwater from your home is flooding a neighbour’s property, you may be legally liable for damages if your drainage system is faulty.

5. Understanding stormwater runoff regulations in Victoria

Did you know that redirecting stormwater incorrectly can get you into quite big trouble?

Victoria has super-strict stormwater runoff regulations that prevent homeowners from illegally discharging stormwater onto neighbouring properties or into natural waterways.

The stormwater runoff regulations VIC-wide force you to ensure that:

Your stormwater does not flow onto neighbouring properties (this can lead to disputes or fines).
All stormwater is directed into a legal point of discharge, as approved by the council.
Any alterations to your drainage system comply with council and plumbing regulations.

EXTRA TIP: Before making major changes to your stormwater drainage, check in with your local council to ensure compliance with often very strict stormwater laws.

6. Where does stormwater go after it leaves your property?

Have you ever wondered where stormwater goes once it leaves your property? Well, in Victoria, stormwater follows these paths:

From your roof and driveway into underground stormwater pipes.
Into council stormwater drains under roads or parks.
Flowing into larger Melbourne Water or Barwon Water-managed drainage systems.
Eventually discharging into rivers, creeks, or the ocean.

Proper stormwater drainage ensures water does not cause flooding, erosion, or environmental damage – which is why managing it correctly is so very important.

7. When to call a plumber for stormwater issues

Are you dealing with any of these problems at your place? The time may have come to call a professional Melbourne plumber or a Geelong plumbing specialist – like the friendly team right here at Fix-It Right Plumbing!

What are you dealing with?:

Blocked stormwater drains: Water pooling in your yard or near drains? You may have a blockage.
Flooding/erosion around your property: Poor stormwater drainage can cause major structural issues.
Water backing up inside your home: This could indicate a serious stormwater plumbing failure.
Unclear stormwater discharge points: If you’re unsure where your stormwater drains are, a plumber can easily help to locate and assess your system.

Get expert help for all your stormwater issues

Sure, understanding who is responsible for stormwater drains can clear up some of your confusion – remembering that these issues on your property are 100% your responsibility, which is a big deal.

But for expert help with:

Blocked or damaged stormwater drains
Stormwater pipe mapping & inspections
And ensuring legal discharge compliance.

Get in touch with Fix-It Right Plumbing ASAP if you need a Melbourne blocked drain plumber or a Geelong drainage specialist. Rest assured: We’ll find the problem, fix it quickly and affordably, and ensure your drainage system works properly for years and years to come.

Call us now for fast, expert, affordable stormwater plumbing solutions!