The Importance of Stormwater Drain Maintenance

This year we’ve seen terrible flooding throughout several parts of Australia. And while this is part of the natural cycles of our climate, some localised flooding may be avoided, with properly maintained stormwater drains. This is particularly important, during the Autumn and early Winter months.

Alex Nelson, Managing Director at Limcora says that while stormwater drain maintenance didn’t play a part in the recent Hawkesbury floods – “it was just the fact the water had nowhere to go!” – it’s important that stormwater drains are regularly maintained to ensure they continue to work properly, when floods do occur.

“Both residential and commercial stormwater drains require periodic maintenance,” he explains. “If maintenance isn’t kept up, resulting floodwater could potentially cause water damage to both inside and outside the property.”

Business and homeowners must make sure gutters and stormwater pits are checked and cleaned regularly of any obstructions like leaves and silt, to prevent flooding and drains backing up within the property. Filters and leaf screens on rainwater tanks also require maintenance to ensure they are performing properly. During late Autumn and early Winter, as trees are shedding their leaves, drainage systems are particularly vulnerable and must be properly serviced.

And while property owners are responsible for the upkeep of their own stormwater drains, councils and governing bodies conduct routine maintenance of stormwater drainage systems throughout entire regions to confirm that everything is working correctly.