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Smoke rising from roof vents, garden drains or openings in the ground may become an unusual sight around Redcliffe as Unitywater examines the underground wastewater network for leaks and faulty household connections.
Redcliffe, Clontarf, Margate, Woody Point and Kippa-Ring are listed for inspections between July and December 2026. Unitywater’s 12 October 2026 announcement also identifies Scarborough and Rothwell in the wider 2026–27 program, although specific dates for those suburbs have not been published.
What Redcliffe residents can expect during inspections
Rather than digging up pipes to search for hidden faults, crews will introduce artificial smoke into the wastewater network and observe where it escapes. The method can reveal openings that allow rainwater to enter sewer pipes, including damaged joints and incorrectly connected stormwater drains.
Households selected for testing will receive at least 14 days’ notice. Crews may need to enter backyards or other outdoor areas, but residents do not need to be home and wastewater services will remain available throughout the inspection.
The vapour is non-toxic and non-flammable, similar to smoke used in theatrical productions. Smoke coming from a roof vent is generally expected, while vapour emerging from the ground or a stormwater drain may indicate a connection or pipe defect requiring further investigation.
Unitywater determines which areas to inspect by monitoring wastewater pump stations during rainfall. Unusually high flows can indicate that stormwater is entering pipes designed to carry sewage, increasing pressure on the network during wet weather.
Residents notified before crews enter properties
Property owners and residents selected for inspection will receive notification cards at least 14 days before testing begins.
Crews may need access to backyards and other outdoor areas but will not enter homes. Residents do not need to be present, and toilets, showers, sinks and other wastewater services can be used normally throughout the work.
Where defective or non-compliant private connections are identified, Unitywater will issue written advice explaining what needs to be fixed.
Property owners are generally responsible for maintaining plumbing on their private property, while Unitywater manages its public wastewater network. Repairs to private connections may require a licensed plumber.
Thousands of plumbing defects found across Moreton Bay
Unitywater’s five-year testing program has identified approximately 4,000 defects in private plumbing connections, including poorly maintained overflow relief gullies and incorrectly connected stormwater downpipes.
Executive Manager Strategic Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield reported that 85 per cent of identified defects across Moreton Bay had been rectified, contributing to a 24 per cent reduction in stormwater entering the wastewater network.
The utility also inspected approximately 14,600 wastewater maintenance holes during the previous financial year, checking for problems such as tree root blockages and loose covers that can allow water into underground infrastructure.
The reported results relate to the broader Moreton Bay program rather than individual Redcliffe Peninsula suburbs.
Faulty drainage connections raise sewage overflow risks
Wastewater pipes are designed to carry sewage from homes and businesses, while separate stormwater systems handle rainwater runoff. During heavy rainfall, excess water entering sewer pipes can overwhelm the network, increasing the risk of wastewater escaping into properties and waterways.
Overflow relief gullies provide an external outlet if a blockage causes wastewater to back up. Blocked grates or incorrectly installed plumbing can increase the likelihood of sewage entering buildings instead.
Unitywater’s wet weather guidance advises property owners to keep overflow relief gullies clear, maintain their plumbing and ensure roof downpipes are connected to appropriate stormwater drainage.
Residents can find inspection information on Unitywater’s wastewater testing webpage or call 1300 086 489, quoting project reference UW000967.
Published 13-Oct-2026
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