In Australia, heavy rain and floodwater can take a huge toll on council assets, especially drains and pipes. There have been plenty of instances where sub-par drain infrastructure has led to excess flooding in Queensland suburbs, from inland towns right through to the coast. Drain surveys on the Sunshine Coast have shown that plenty of infrastructure issues (such as blockages and broken pipes) could be avoided with early detection of damaged drains or substandard infrastructure. The difficult question is how can we be aware of issues before seeing the effects? Drains and pipes aren’t always the most easily accessible for assessing damage, let alone pre-empting it. One solution that local councils are using is to to identify any issues though drain surveys and put in place strategic plans for the areas that are most affected.
Timing
The one positive we can see when it comes to Australia’s drain infrastructure (especially in Queensland), is that the rainy season is typically restricted to the warmer months. This leaves councils and authorities with a large portion of the year to take precautionary measures to assess and repair damage while the drains aren’t under excess stress. We have seen from past cases that pipes and drains that have been ignored and left damaged have resulted in terrible flooding and emergency situations. Because of this, Local councils and authorities on the Sunshine Coast are using drain surveys to take measures to ensure that the current infrastructure isn’t threatened by cracked or blocked pipes.
Causes
Pipes can become blocked or broken due to a wide variety of issues. Cracked pipes can easily arise from the earth moving and putting pressure on weak earthenware pipes. On top of this, tree root intrusion and poorly backfilled pipes can put excess pressure on the drainage system and cause cracks in the system. A very common cause for blocked drains is dislodged or dislocated joints and collars in the pipes, which collect dust and dirt and stop rainwater from properly draining away from roads and properties. A drain survey can quickly identify what the problem is so that the council can put in place measures to rectify these problems.
Drain Surveys on the Sunshine Coast
With revolutionary CCTV camera technology, all the above problems can quickly and easily be identified and fixed. Rather than waiting for the pipes or drains to become an expensive issue, you can simply book a quick assessment to identify any weaknesses or future issues in the infrastructure. By investing in these assessments, the council can plan and manage its local drainage infrastructure using some of the newest technology on the market.
Typically, an assessment will include the use of a CCTV camera being inserted into a drain, to clearly identify and record where any issues are in the system. Technicians are trained not only to point out where there are already cracked or blocked pipes, but also to identify where future problems are likely to arise. From this, our local councils are then able to prepare a proper solution and plan.
A CCTV camera assessment can help to identify the root causes of any previous issues, and point out red flags when it comes to future stormwater management. Companies that offer CCTV drain services, such as Drain Medics in Queensland, are well equipped to assist in the analysis of drainage issues, and can help implement a drainage strategy plan for future infrastructure development and investments. Ensuring the drainage assets in the Sunshine Coast are well maintained and issues are kept to a minimum.
