Preventing blockages
The following steps will assist in preventing blockages
- choose appropriate trees and shrubs for planting near pipes
- don't pour fat down sinks or drains
- check the location of pipes and drains before excavating
- don't flush objects down toilets
- keep external grates and covers in place to stop objects entering drains.
Trees and shrubs
Tree and shrub roots are a major cause of pipe blockages. Roots tap into soil moisture and nutrients. When these are not readily available many species try to break into the sewer system.
Once tree roots break into a pipe they continue to grow until blockages happen and in severe cases break the pipe. When planting it is advisable to locate trees the recommended distance from sewer lines. The following trees are intended as a guide only. For advice on suitable trees and shrubs talk to your local nursery.
Suitable for planting no closer than two metres to pipes
| Botanical name |
Local name |
Acacia buxifolia |
Box-leaved wattle |
Banksia ericifolia |
Heath banksia |
Callistemon citrinus |
Crimson bottlebrush |
Euonymus japonica |
Evergreen spindle tree |
Genista tinctoria |
Broom |
Lagerstroemia indica |
Pink crepe myrtle |
Malus (species) |
Flowering crabapples |
Nerium oleander |
Oleander |
Pyracantha (species) |
Firethorn |
Viburnum tinus |
Laurustinus |
Suitable for planting no closer than four metres to pipes
| Botanical name |
Local name |
Angophora costata |
Smooth-barked apple myrtle |
Betula pendula |
Silver birch |
Eucalyptus cinerea |
Argyle apple |
Fraxinus excelsior "Aurea" |
Golden ash |
Melaleauca armillaris |
Bracelet honeymyrtle |
M. styphelioides |
Prickly paperbark |
Sophora japonica |
Pagoda tree |
Sorbus aucuparia |
Rowan, mountain ash |
Not suitable for planting near pipes
| Botanical name |
Local name |
Acer negundo |
Box elder maple |
Casuarina cunninghamiana |
River oak |
Celtis australis |
Southern nettle tree |
E. globulus |
Californian blue gum |
E. sideroxylon |
Mugga or red ironbark |
Fraxinus oxycarpa |
Desert or caucasian ash |
Further information
For further information on ways to prevent sewer blockages refer to the ActewAGL sewer blockages and surcharges brochure.
For information on clearing blocked sewers and drains contact ActewAGL Emergencies and faults 13 11 93 (24 hours).