Stormwater Connections

1. Information for Property Owners

Property owners wanting information about water, sewerage and storm water need to know what plumbing zone they are in because associated services and facilities are part-managed by TasWater.

 

Contact TasWater if:

  • water and sewer issues are outside a property boundary;
  • stormwater issues that are outside the boundary of a property in a combined plumbing zone.

Contact our Infrastructure Department if:

  • you believe your property is in a combined plumbing zone;
  • stormwater issues that are outside the boundary of a property in an area other than the combined plumbing zone.

2. Stormwater Connections

In urban areas, stormwater from private property travels to the public network through a stormwater connection. Some stormwater flows directly to the underground infrastructure and in other locations to kerb. In older parts of Launceston the sewage and stormwater travel within the same pipe network, called the combined drainage system.

Apply for a stormwater connection

Property owners are responsible for maintenance of stormwater connections to their boundary.  Outside of the property boundary the City of Launceston or TasWater are responsible for maintenance depending on your location. 

Parts of West Launceston, South Launceston, Newstead, East Launceston, Launceston City, Invermay and Mowbray have a combined drainage system.  If you are located in these suburbs please visit our mapping platform to understand if you are in the combined drainage area and if so, refer any stormwater connection queries to TasWater.

If you are outside of the combined drainage area and experiencing issues with your stormwater connection outside of your property boundary, please contact us

3. Stormwater

4. Urban (Stormwater) Flooding 

 The City of Launceston has used computer modelling to develop an urban (stormwater) flooding map. The map shows the 1% AEP flood event, flooding that has a 1% chance of happening each year.

Download the map online here

Display options include:

  • the flood extent (the area that is modelled to be wet);
  • the flood depth within this area;
  • the flood hazard (combination of depth and velocity) within the area.

Flood hazard relates depth and velocity gives an indication of the potential impact of the flood waters. It can be used to inform emergency and flood risk management, as well as strategic and development planning.

It is recommended that you review the mapping to understand how your property may be affected by stormwater flooding and develop an appropriate flood plan based on your flood risk. Urban (Stormwater) flooding may occur quickly, and as such preparedness is the best mitigation method. It is important to avoid stormwater flooding where possible. View more about stormwater safety here. 

Please note: the maps are produced from computer models. The models are based on the best data available to Council at the time the models were developed. The maps are indicative only of possible flood extents, if the data and assumptions on which they are based are reproduced in a future weather event. 

Flood Hazard Categories.png

Image: Flood Hazard Categories

5. Flood Emergency Management - Stormwater Safety

Stormwater Safety

Everyone must take particular care when they are in the vicinity of the stormwater system as storm water drains, manholes, pits and grates pose a danger in both wet and dry weather.  

The stormwater system criss-crosses the city taking rainwater away from our streets and homes, sending it to the ocean. The system is more than 438 kilometres long, which is approximately the distance from Launceston to Hobart and back.   

Some sections of the stormwater drains are only a few metres long but others run for kilometres. They consist of pipes that narrow down, and expand back out.  They have debris traps and deep pits with no ladders - and no means of escape. 

When it is not raining they are homes to rats, snakes and spiders. When it rains, the pipes flow to full capacity, sucking in anything they can from bicycles to wheelie bins.  The stormwater system is dangerous in the dry and can be deadly in the wet. 

Manholes
Manholes indicate a change in direction for pipes.  Manhole covers weigh between 20 and 30 kilograms (the same weight as a large full suitcase).  When really full, manhole covers can sometimes be lifted and thrown by the pressure of water below. That means a person wading through floodwater risks falling into an open manhole full of water. Then, when the water begins to subside, it can rush in like a whirlpool, sucking you in. 

Grates
A grate is constructed of steel weighing between 80 and 110 kilograms (the same weight as a small motorbike). Do not lift stormwater grates or lids under any circumstances as these could cause serious injuries.

Stormwater pits
Stormwater systems have pits and debris traps which range from 1.2 to 3.6 metres long. The pits have no ladders and therefore no way to get out. 

Fast moving stormwater
Flowing stormwater and hidden debris can easily knock a person over and sweep them away, possibly into storm water drains.  It also has the potential to sweep cars of flooded causeways and roads.  Never drive through flood water.  Turn around and find a safer route.