Regional drain help
Call if sewage is overflowing or water is threatening the property. For a slower problem, tell us whether one fixture, several fixtures or an outdoor drain is backing up.
Immediate drain help
What to do first in the North Shore
Start with what the drain is doing now. Tell us what is backing up, whether water is still rising and where the drain can be reached safely.
01
Active overflow
Stop using the drains or fixtures that make the water rise, keep people and pets clear and call for blocked drain help in the North Shore.
02
Recurring or slow drains
Tell us which drains are slow and whether the same problem has been cleared before. CCTV may help if it keeps returning.
03
Shared or rain-related symptoms
Tell us if several homes or units have the problem, or if pooling appears only during rain.
Not sure who is responsible?
North Shore addresses can sit within different council areas. The address and location of the blockage help show whether the property owner, strata, a council or Sydney Water needs to arrange the next step.
- Hornsby Shire CouncilStormwater drainage on private properties
- Ku-ring-gai CouncilBlocked drains and pits on council land
- Lane Cove CouncilDrainage and stormwater
- Willoughby City CouncilStormwater flooding and private property
- North Sydney CouncilDevelopment Control Plan 2025: stormwater management
- Mosman CouncilStormwater management
- Sydney WaterWastewater blockages and responsibility
Relevant services
Blocked drain services across the North Shore
Choose the service closest to what is happening now. If you are unsure, call Scott and describe the blockage.
View all drain servicesNeed a different drain service?
The three cards above are useful starting points. If you already know what is affected, choose another service or open the complete service list.
Open the complete service directoryLocal drain help
Getting a drain checked in the North Shore
Tell us which drains are involved, when the problem started and where the pipe can be reached safely.
Blocked drain help across the North Shore starts with what is backing up, whether there is an overflow and the nearest safe access point.
If the same drain keeps blocking, a camera inspection may be useful after it is flowing so the cause and problem location can be seen.
Access and who arranges the work
North Shore properties span several council areas, so public stormwater responsibility changes by address.
Find the drain involved
Wastewater, outdoor drainage and rain-related symptoms are traced through separate pipe systems.
Choose the next step
Completed stormwater installation work is available to view from Lane Cove.
Completed drain work
Drain work from the North Shore
See completed drain work with the project suburb shown on each record.
View all drain projectsFind your suburb
Suburbs we service in the North Shore
Choose a featured suburb or open the council area that contains the property.
Featured service areas
Regional questions
Blocked drain questions for the North Shore
Practical answers about urgent overflows, access, shared drains and who may need to arrange the work.
View all drain questionsDo you service both Upper and Lower North Shore?
Yes. Tell us the suburb, which drain is backing up, the access available and whether water is still rising.
Who handles stormwater problems on the North Shore?
Property owners generally arrange work on private drains. The address identifies the correct council for a relevant public stormwater drain, while Sydney Water manages its wastewater network.
What does a CCTV inspection show?
Once a camera can pass through the line, it can show the obstruction, pipe condition and where the problem sits. That helps decide whether clearing is enough or repair should be considered.
Urgent overflow
Call for North Shore drain help
If wastewater is backing up, a toilet is overflowing or water is threatening the property, call now and tell Scott what is happening.
Call 0472 753 487Add photos if they help show the drain, overflow or access point.
Request help
Send the drain details
Send your suburb, which drains are backing up and any useful access details. Scott will come back to you with the next step.