Plumbing in Happy Valley: the local picture
Nine in ten are houses
The 2021 Census found 89.9% of the suburb's occupied homes were separate houses and 10.0% semis or townhouses. Flats and apartments came to 0.0%.
Few renters
Only 10.6% of Happy Valley homes were rented, against 27.6% across South Australia. 46.8% were owned with a mortgage and 33.9% outright.
Tank rules for new houses
Onkaparinga notes that new houses in SA must have a rainwater tank of at least 1000 litres, plumbed to the toilet, a water heater or all the laundry's cold outlets.
Native vegetation law applies
In Onkaparinga, the state's native vegetation legislation applies and can take precedence over the regulated and significant tree rules.
Plumbed rainwater tanks
A tank that feeds the toilet or laundry is part of your plumbing, not just a garden barrel. Onkaparinga's summary of the rule says its inlet and overflow must carry mosquito-proof screens.
When mains water tops a house tank up, South Australia's plumbing code requires an automatic changeover or top-up device, with no one having to flick a switch. If your toilet stops filling when the tank runs dry, that device or the pump is the usual suspect. Our rainwater tank and tank pump pages explain what a plumber checks.
Is your Happy Valley home on SA Water sewer?
- Look at your SA Water bill: Onkaparinga says it shows if the property sits in an SA Water sewer area.
- Check the annual council rate notice: it shows whether a property is connected to a community wastewater system (CWMS).
- On SA Water sewer, wastewater plumbing is regulated by the Office of the Technical Regulator.
- Off sewer, the owner needs council approval before any wastewater works begin.
Roots, trees and approvals
Onkaparinga counts any substantial damage to a regulated or significant tree, its root system included, as needing development approval. Native vegetation rules can apply on top. Before a plumber trenches near an established tree, ask Council which rules cover it.
Roots in a sewer line are a common reason to dig. A drain camera can often show whether relining is possible instead.
More help in Adelaide
Most Happy Valley calls fall under blocked drains, hot water repairs or toilet repairs. Elsewhere in Onkaparinga: Aberfoyle Park and Christies Beach. For the city overview, see plumbers in Adelaide.
What we would do
If your toilet or laundry runs on tank water and suddenly goes dry, check the tank level and the pump's power first. A full tank with no flow points to the pump or the changeover device, which is a job for a plumber who does rainwater systems. Keep your SA Water bill handy too, so you know which sewer system the house is on before anyone quotes.