Sewer blockage
If you are experiencing difficulty discharging wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers or appliances on your private property, contact a licensed drainer (from the Yellow Pages). If your drainer provides evidence suggesting the blockage is caused by a problem in the ACTEW sewer, you or your drainer should call ActewAGL's 24-hour faults and emergency number 13 11 93 and seek assistance.
If your property is fitted with a 'boundary riser', you may prefer to call ActewAGL's 24-hour faults and emergency number 13 11 93 and ask ActewAGL to check the 'branch line' and network sewer. ActewAGL will tell you if you need to call a drainer.
If previous experience suggests the problem may be in the ACTEW sewer network, you may choose to contact ActewAGL's 24-hour faults and emergency number 13 11 93 before calling a drainer. If ActewAGL do not discover a blockage in the network sewer, you may then need to call a licensed drainer to investigate further.
Sewage entering my home or property
If sewage is discharging from floor wastes, toilets or other sanitary fixtures, contact ActewAGL's 24-hour faults and emergency number 13 11 93 and tell the operator what is happening. ActewAGL will attend as quickly as possible.
While you wait for ActewAGL to arrive, avoid discharging any additional wastewater from washing machines, showers, baths, etc. If possible release grates from external overflow gullies and unscrew the lid from the boundary riser (if fitted). Avoid getting wastewater on your person. Wear gloves and waterproof shoes. Keep children away from the discharge.
Some surcharges are caused by blockages in your property's private sanitary drains. ActewAGL will tell you if you need to call a licensed drainer (from the Yellow Pages).
If there is damage to your property, call your insurance company as soon as possible. They will help you with the clean-up and repair of damage. If you are not insured tell ActewAGL.
Sewage overflow from a manhole
If you see sewage (wastewater) discharging from a sewer access chamber (manhole) either in the verge or on your property, please call ActewAGL's faults and emergency number 13 11 93 and seek assistance. Please tell the operator if the wastewater is damaging property or likely to cause an accident. ActewAGL will attend as quickly as possible.
Stormwater problem
Blockages
If stormwater is overflowing from downpipes or sumps on your private property, contact a licensed drainer (from the Yellow Pages). If your drainer provides evidence suggesting the blockage is caused by a problem in the Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) stormwater system, you or your drainer should phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 and seek assistance.
Flooding
If stormwater is flooding your premises (from the road or public land), phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 and seek assistance. Please tell the operator if the water is damaging property or likely to cause an accident.