Woy Woy facts that shape a plumbing job
Tides and storm surge
The SES says coastal suburbs including Woy Woy are susceptible to tidal influences and storm surges, which worsen flooding in extreme weather.
Townhouses and renters
At the 2021 Census, 29.0% of occupied homes in the suburb of Woy Woy were semis, terraces or townhouses, and 38.3% of homes were rented.
A formula for floor levels
Council sets the Central Coast flood planning level at the 1 in 100 chance flood level plus a freeboard. For homes, that freeboard is 0.5 metres, plus a climate change allowance.
An aquifer underneath
Council is licensed to take groundwater from the shallow aquifer at Woy Woy Peninsula, through a borefield built during the millennium drought.
Sewage coming up? Council first
Central Coast Council's charter asks owners to call it at the first sign of a sewer blockage or overflow in the property's pipes. It will tell you whether a plumber is needed. Blockages in Council's own pipes are Council's to clear.
Its response list puts water and sewer main breaks and dry weather sewer overflows in the top emergency group, and a blocked sewer main in the urgent group below. While you wait, stop flushing and keep everyone clear of the spill.
Your overflow gully is the safety valve. Council's charter says owners must keep it unobstructed so sewage can't overflow inside the house.
Raising or rebuilding
Flood controls generally apply where any part of a block lies in the Flood Planning Area. Check it in Chapter 9 of a current Section 10.7 Planning Certificate or on Council's online map. Council has also consulted on a Woy Woy Peninsula Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.
A raised floor changes the plumbing layout, so bring the plumber in at the design stage. See Central Coast blocked drains and hot water.
What we would do
Find your overflow gully today and make sure nothing sits on it. If sewage appears, ring Council before a plumber: if the fault is in Council's main, Council clears it. If the fault is yours, book a drain specialist and ask what made it back up. Planning a rebuild? Get the planning certificate first so the plumbing is designed around the right floor level.