Dapto facts for a plumbing job
Steep and fast
The SES plan says the catchment drops from 600 m AHD to 50 m AHD and has been progressively built on, giving very dynamic flash flooding.
The lake is slower
Flooding from Lake Illawarra is slow to rise and fall, and the tidal lake affects it. Rural properties west of Dapto become what the plan calls Overland Access Areas from the 20% AEP event.
Creeks on private land
Wollongong City Council says most watercourses in the city are on private property, and owners maintain them. Council only works on creeks on its own land.
Family houses
At the 2021 Census, 84.7% of occupied homes in the suburb of Dapto were separate houses; 37.9% were mortgaged and 24.7% rented.
Roots in the sewer
Sydney Water says tree roots find small cracks in wastewater pipes. It suggests keeping new trees at least 6 metres from them. Its list of trees to avoid includes the Illawarra Flame Tree, figs, jacarandas, liquidambars, lilly pillies, camphor laurel, bottlebrush and paperbarks.
Roots that get into the junction at the point of connection are the owner's to clear. A sewerage service diagram from Sydney Water Tap in shows where your line runs before you plant. See tree roots in drains.
After heavy rain
Sydney Water says stormwater overloading its network in heavy rain also causes blockages. Sewage spilling from a maintenance hole on public land points to its pipes. So do neighbours with the same problem.
If the overflow happens only when you run water, the fault is more likely in your own pipes. A drain specialist can find it; see blocked drains in Wollongong.
What we would do
If a creek or overflow path crosses your Dapto block, keep it clear of branches and rubbish before storm season, because Council can't do it for you. Get the sewer diagram before planting near the line, and keep figs and other big-rooted trees well away. When a drain blocks, check next door first: if they're affected too, report it to Sydney Water.