Owners have a range of responsibilities, which if carried out correctly, will minimise the threat of surface water causing a nuisance in the event of heavy rain.
Property owners must accept natural overland flow from adjoining properties or public land and must not divert or redirect the flow from its natural path on to neighbouring properties. If you are a downstream property owner you cannot erect any type of barrier that interferes with the path of stormwater.
Property owners generally need to ensure that roof water and stormwater is collected and drained to:
- Street Kerb and gutter
- An inter-allotment drainage system
- Council controlled drainage easement or drainage reserve
- An approved stormwater detention pit within the property (only IF one of above cannot be achieved)
The owner is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repair of the stormwater pipes, gutters, downpipes, gully pits and any other components in good condition and in compliance with any Council requirements.
The AS/NZS 3500.3:2003 Plumbing and Drainage Part 3: Stormwater Drainage is the applicable standard used for stormwater system design and installation.