Campbelltown in numbers and rules
The suburb's homes
At the 2021 Census, 51.1% of occupied homes in the suburb were separate houses, 34.9% flats and 13.8% townhouses or semis. 49.0% were rented.
The wider city
Across Campbelltown City Council's area, 78.3% of occupied homes were separate houses and 33.9% were rented.
Draining to the Georges River
Council says most of its area drains into the Georges River catchment, with a smaller part draining to the Nepean River.
Homes off the sewer
A house not connected to Sydney Water's sewer mains is likely to have an on-site system, and Council says an Approval to Operate is mandatory for each one.
Is the blockage yours or Sydney Water's?
- Probably Sydney Water's: the overflow is outside your boundary, such as a maintenance hole on public land.
- Probably Sydney Water's: the neighbours have the same trouble, or it keeps overflowing while nobody is using water.
- Probably yours: the neighbours are fine, your drainage isn't shared, and it only overflows when you run water.
- Early signs either way: slow sinks or toilets, gurgling, or water rising out of the gully near an outside tap.
What goes down the toilet
Sydney Water says non-flushable wet wipes contribute to 75% of wastewater blockages. Only pee, poo and toilet paper should go down; paper towels, tissues, cotton buds and hair don't break down. Campbelltown City Council warns the same way: waste in the drains can make wastewater back up and overflow into homes and backyards.
If the blockage is on your side, which runs up to and includes the point of connection, it's yours to clear. Overflows on your property or in a public place should be reported to Sydney Water's 24/7 faults line, and you should keep clear of them.
Not on the sewer?
If your house isn't connected to Sydney Water's sewer mains, the on-site system is your responsibility to keep working. Council requires an Approval to Operate and runs an ongoing inspection program for every on-site system in Campbelltown City. See our septic systems page.
Related pages
Start with blocked drains in Sydney. If sewage is coming up inside, get an emergency plumber. Pipes cracked by roots may suit pipe relining.
Our advice for Campbelltown
Before you call anyone, check with the neighbours and look at the gully near your outside tap. If the street or next door is overflowing too, ring Sydney Water's faults line first. If it's only your place, a drain specialist is the right call, and a bin for wipes in the bathroom helps stop the next one. We can match you with a licence-checked drain plumber.