What shapes a plumbing job in Mundaring
Shire drains, your pipes
The Shire maintains every public drain in the area except those on Great Eastern Highway, a mix of piped and open drains kept clear of silt and leaves. Report a blocked public drain to the Shire; a blocked pipe on your land needs a plumber.
Owner-occupied houses
At the 2021 Census, 92.2% of the suburb's occupied homes were separate houses. 45.8% were owned outright and just 12.4% rented, against 27.3% across Western Australia.
Scheme water isn't everywhere
The Shire says a large proportion of properties within it have no scheme water and rely on rainwater or bore water instead.
No sewer, so a septic system
Where sewer is not available, an effluent disposal system must be installed. The Department of Health approves the types allowed in WA, and the Shire approves most systems for single homes.
Looking after a septic system
A conventional system has two septic tanks (or one baffled plastic tank) and two leach drains. The Shire's routine is simple: have the tanks pumped out every four years for an average four person household, or every eight to nine years for two people, and switch the leach drain diverter over every 12 months so one drain can rest.
Only a licensed liquid waste contractor may pump out. Secondary treatment systems need servicing by an authorised provider, usually quarterly. Keep figs, ficus and willows well away: the Shire says they do great damage to septic systems.
Lost the tank? The Shire has digital records for homes built 2008 onwards; older homes need an archive search of around a week.
Tank water and bore water
If you drink rainwater, the Shire suggests regular maintenance of the whole system, roof to tank to tap. Our rainwater tanks page covers pumps and tank plumbing.
Bore water is another matter. The Department of Health doesn't recommend drinking it unless it is professionally treated or regularly tested, though it suits irrigation, toilets, laundry and washing the car. On a lot that also has scheme water, Water Corporation warns that a bore pump cross connected to the house pipes can push bore water back into the supply, which is backflow.
When sewer reaches your street
Once Water Corporation advises that sewer is available, the Shire says you have five years to connect, or one year from settlement if the property is sold. From then on Water Corporation's line applies: clearing a blockage in your own connection, up to the junction with its main, is the owner's cost. See who owns the sewer pipe and our septic systems page.
Other Perth jobs: blocked drains, leak detection, hot water or an emergency plumber.
What we would do
On a dry day, find your septic tank lids and the leach drain diverter. If you can't, ask the Shire for the plans now, not during a backup. Book pump-outs on the Shire's schedule instead of waiting for a slow toilet. When something does go wrong, we will match it with a plumber who specialises in septic and drainage work, and only the plumber who accepts the job sees your phone and email.