Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to prepare their properties for more rain and storms.
Essential service provider Unitywater said customers should be ready for further wet and wild weather this summer.
Recent rainfall saw sewer and water networks put to the test but the Unitywater team, aided by smart technology and meticulous preparation, performed well to continue delivering essential services to more than 340,000 customers in Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan said with more wild weather expected, as a result of the La Nina weather event this summer, everyone had a part to play and he urged customers to carry out some simple checks at their properties.
“Inspect your Overflow Relief Gully and ensure it’s not covered over with pavers, pot plants or garden ornaments – these are designed to release sewage overflow outside the home in the event of a blockage,” he said.
“Also check that your down-pipe is connected to the stormwater system and not the sewerage system – if it’s incorrectly fitted, large volumes of stormwater can enter the sewer and overload the network.
“Finally, help us prevent blockages by only ever flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper.”
Mr Duncan said excessive rainfall and stormwater can place added pressure on Unitywater’s 800 pump stations and 6200km of sewer mains.
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“We can experience significant volume increases through our sewer network, which puts a lot of pressure on our network,” he said.
“When overflows do occur, we have controlled discharge points to protect private property and ensure the safety of our community.
“We also encourage the community to consider their own health and safety when swimming in any waterway following heavy rain as stormwater can contain contaminants such as animal faeces, oil and petrol, fertilisers and pesticides washed from roads, footpaths and gutters.”
For more simple tips on things you can do inside and outside your home to prevent problems occurring visit the Unitywater website.
