Redland facts that change the job
Council owns the meter
Redland City Council owns the water meter and the pipes feeding it. From the meter to the house, the pipes are yours. Meters usually sit on or near the street boundary and are read every quarter.
A large, ageing network
City Water supplies about 73,000 properties through 1325 km of pipes. In August 2026 Council said the city's water and wastewater systems are ageing.
Houses, with a Cleveland mix
Across the council area, 83.9% of homes were separate houses at the 2021 Census. In the suburb of Cleveland, Council's civic and business hub, it was 60.4%, with 19.9% townhouses and 19.5% flats.
Storm tide on the coast
Council says the Redland coastline is vulnerable to storm tide inundation. In Cleveland, the main flood risks are creek flooding along Hilliards Creek and Ross Creek, overland flow and storm tide.
A blocked sewer: yours or Council's?
Start with the inspection opening near a boundary. It belongs to your plumbing, and installing or maintaining it is your job. Council says houses built after 1990 should have one, usually within 1 to 2 metres of a boundary.
If the overflow relief gully is spilling while nobody is using water, Council says the blockage is probably in its sewer main, so contact Council. If the inspection opening stays dry while a tap runs inside, the blockage is more likely in your own pipes.
When a plumber's camera shows the fault is in Council's main and it's reported straight away, you may be able to claim back part of the plumber's bill, capped at $500 including GST. Digging, work on the inspection opening, repeat visits and blockages from wipes aren't covered. Council decides claims within 20 business days.
Pressure sewers and septic tanks
Gravity sewers are the norm on Redlands Coast, but some properties use a pressure sewerage system with a pump and tank in the yard. The owner looks after the boundary kit, pump, tank, control box and the pipes on the property, and Council takes over at the isolating valve on the footpath.
On the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Council says most older houses have separate septic and sullage systems, while new houses need combined ones. It advises a yearly tank check and cleaning the kitchen grease trap every three months. See septic systems.
Stormwater on your block
Owners maintain their own gutters, downpipes, stormwater pipes and gully pits, and must accept natural overland flow from higher land. Water from roofs and paving has to reach a lawful point of discharge: the kerb and channel, an inter-allotment drain, or a Council easement with approval.
See blocked drains, stormwater or an emergency plumber; our Brisbane service pages follow Urban Utilities, which doesn't serve Redland.
What we would do
Before calling anyone about a blocked sewer, look at the overflow gully and the inspection opening. If the gully is overflowing with no water running, contact Council first. Otherwise book a drain specialist with CCTV and a jet rodder, and if the camera shows Council's main, have them report it on the spot and keep the reference number: without it, there's no claim.