The success of the joint effort to reduce the occurrence of sewage spills arising from heavy rainfall is dependent on a $2.5 million council capital works investment over the coming two years, and also the elimination of residential stormwater pipes, incorrectly connected to council’s sewerage network.

Council’s water and sewerage services manager, Jim Collins, said a joint effort by council and property owners was needed to improve the overall performance of the sewerage network by reducing inflow and infiltration of stormwater during heavy rainfall.

Mr Collins said no sewerage system was entirely storm proof.

“During heavy rainfall we can experience inflow from residential stormwater pipes that have been incorrectly connected to the council sewerage system,” he said.

“Property owners with the non-compliant plumbing are being informed of the problem.”