Residents across Brisbane’s south-west may see Urban Utilities officers inspecting private properties in the coming months, with Darra, Durack, Inala and Richlands among 31 suburbs included in a program aimed at reducing wet-weather wastewater overflows.
The three suburbs are covered by the Wet Weather Overflow Reduction Program, which runs until 31 December 2026 and targets areas where wastewater overflows have repeatedly occurred during wet weather or where pumping stations and treatment plants have recorded unusually high inflows.
Urban Utilities is trying to determine how stormwater is entering a wastewater system that is not designed to carry large volumes of rainwater. Possible sources include cracked pipes, defects around maintenance holes and non-compliant plumbing or drainage connections on private properties.
During heavy rainfall, stormwater entering the wastewater network can significantly increase flows and contribute to overflows, particularly where the system is already under pressure.
Smoke testing to trace unwanted stormwater
To identify where stormwater may be entering the wastewater network, crews use smoke testing on wastewater pipes and private plumbing. Separately, Urban Utilities uses measures including CCTV inspections and pipe cleaning as part of its broader sewer maintenance work.
Non-toxic smoke is pumped into wastewater lines to trace unwanted flow. In a correctly connected system, the smoke should travel through the wastewater pipes and escape through normal plumbing vents.
If smoke emerges from stormwater drains, downpipes or other unexpected locations, it can indicate a defect or an incorrect connection.
The testing may involve access to private land where officers need to inspect plumbing, drainage or wastewater infrastructure. An inspection does not automatically mean a property has a defect or that a homeowner will face immediate repair costs.
Property access powers come with limits
Under Queensland legislation, authorised officers operating within an approved inspection program have statutory powers to enter private properties at reasonable times without prior occupier consent. However, the inspection-program powers have clear limits: officers cannot use those powers to enter any part of a property where a person resides.
Where an occupier is present, officers must make a reasonable attempt to identify themselves, explain the purpose of the entry and advise that the Act permits entry without consent. For an approved inspection program, they must also provide details of the program.
For households in the affected suburbs, the distinction is important. Statutory access to private land under the program does not amount to an unrestricted right to enter a home.
Public and private infrastructure both under scrutiny
Urban Utilities says excess wet-weather flow can result from a mix of local topography, public infrastructure defects and private plumbing issues. While the program allows testing on private land, the work is intended to establish where stormwater is entering the system before further action is determined.
Depending on what is found, corrective work may involve private plumbing, Urban Utilities infrastructure or both. The utility says the results will help identify problem locations and inform targeted action across the wastewater network.
For residents across the wider Forest Lake area, the key issue is knowing why access may be sought, what officers are permitted to inspect and what happens if a defect is identified as testing continues.
Published 13-Aug-2026
