Mysterious Manhole and Sewer Line - Stormwater Gravel Pit Options

Lsimplesierra on 15/08/2023 - 08:49
Last edited 21/08/2023 - 09:36 by 1 other user

Hi,

I’m looking at putting an offer on a property. I’ve discovered that there is a sewer line that runs under the backyard of the property. I understand this means I won’t be able to build over unless I get it concrete encases. I have also discovered a manhole right in the the middle of the yard which BCC or UU has no idea what it is. It also would appear that the manhole isn’t directly over the sewer line. I have attached some photos. The land in question is the one with the red circle on it. The red circle is the manhole.

https://pasteboard.co/oS6pR4Txe7dF.jpg

https://pasteboard.co/qRuRT6yV4xQK.jpg

Questions:

  1. Would you steer clear of a property like this that has a sewer line running under or is this a potential buying opportunity?
  2. What would my options be with moving/building over the manhole?
  3. What other considerations need to be made regarding the manhole?

Thanks!

Update Aug 20

Posted here a week ago with unknown manhole in the middle of the backyard. I’ve since had a plumber out who told me it was a stormwater gravel pit.

I hate the look of the manhole and want to either put in a smaller grate or move it to the back of the yard. What are my options and what are some rough prices?

It looks like the neighbour has installed a stormwater pipe on the back fence FYI.

Thanks,

https://pasteboard.co/yxS9CUZ7yxGC.jpg

https://pasteboard.co/qRuRT6yV4xQK.jpg

https://pasteboard.co/hXwPwjrFm0rS.jpg

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Malik Nasser on 15/08/2023 - 08:56
    +1

    Does this impact your use of the property?
    Are you being compensated for it with a lower purchase price?
    It all comes back to you. Can you live with it?

  • verio on 15/08/2023 - 09:02
    +5

    I would be very careful with this one.

    Getting a concrete encasement means paying extra $$$$. You can get a rough estimate for how much it will cost and assume a lower purchase price, but who knows how much it will actually cost by the time you or someone else decides to build there.

    The manhole is also potentially a problem because nobody knows what it is.

  • juzza87 on 15/08/2023 - 09:04
    +8

    Open it up and take a photo, it's interesting

    • macrocephalic on 15/08/2023 - 09:36

      Yeah I thought that was pretty obvious. It could be another utility other than sewer, it could be the remnants of a septic system, etc.

      • Duckie2hh on 15/08/2023 - 09:46
        +7

        Underground bunker remote access?

      • AustriaBargain on 15/08/2023 - 10:02

        Yeah might not even be in use for decades now.

  • Porker on 15/08/2023 - 09:36
    +2

    If your intention is to further develop the property (ie. dual occ) then the alignment of the pipes and other assets might be a very important factor. If it's just to live there and the area of concern will be backyard, then possibly no issue.

    Everyone will have a different need or purpose for purchasing the property so be mindful of the responses you receive here.

    As to moving the manhole / access hole, it would be easier if you just opened it to see what's inside. Also, if the property is for sale, then review the Section 32 which will have more information about the property than most can deduce from your post.

  • jv on 15/08/2023 - 09:36
    +11

    Mysterious Manhole

    I object to this politically incorrect language.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 15/08/2023 - 15:09
      +4

      Mysterious personnel access cover.
      FTFY

    • OzzyOzbourne on 17/08/2023 - 08:12
      +4

      Womanhole?….no wait…nonbinaryhole

      • RSmith on 17/08/2023 - 09:39

        In the end it's just a.hole

        • paloverde88 on 17/08/2023 - 12:32

          It’s just a ho for Pete’s sakes

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 15/08/2023 - 09:38
    +2

    what would you do if you opened it up, went down and found a prisoner or a doomsday prepper?

  • EightImmortals on 15/08/2023 - 09:46
    +1

    Could be phone lines?

    But yeah pull the cover and take a looky.

  • mskeggs on 15/08/2023 - 09:46

    Icon is a fibre broadband provider in ACT. Is that where you are?

    • mskeggs on 15/08/2023 - 09:48
      +5

      More likely https://www.iconwater.com.au/
      In any case, call the dial before you dig people and they will confirm who owns it.

    • jksk13 on 15/08/2023 - 09:52
      +1

      I'm assuming they are in Brisbane as they say BCC (Brisbane City Council) and UU (Urban Utilities, Water Supplier for SEQ).

  • Jake D on 15/08/2023 - 09:55
    +2

    If you are buying with intent to develop and/or build, the sewer may be prohibitively expensive. You'd need more information than is available to you here. You would want to speak to asset owners about what they allow, architects, builders and engineers about how much a solution would cost.

    If you are buying becuase you like the house and location and need a place to live, buy a big pot plant and sit it on top.

  • Devastator0 on 15/08/2023 - 09:55

    I actually have something very similar on my property, just next to my driveway inside from the nature strip. In my case, it's the access to the mains water that runs through the street.

  • Drakesy on 15/08/2023 - 10:29
    +2

    I wouldn't build anything on a sewer line full stop, even with the concrete encasement they may need to trench if the pipe has to be replaced.
    As for the manhole, surveys aren't 100% correct so i'd take it with a grain of salt.
    Do a DBYD if in doubt.

  • AustriaBargain on 15/08/2023 - 10:31
    +8

    Mysterious Manhole and Sewer Line

    Weird, that's my Grindr screen name.

    • Drakesy on 15/08/2023 - 12:43
      +1

      v good

  • seannami on 15/08/2023 - 10:37

    I have a sewer/water easement in my yard and a (at the time of purchase) mystery manhole- the manhole was an inspection hole, probably from when they put my unit in the yard. You manhole looks a bit like the manhole in my rear neighbour's yard which is the actual one. The easement hasn't bothered me, and it clearly didn't bother the previous owner since they built my place in their back yard 30 years ago. The only issue I had was a little bit of sinking around the inspection hole, and I'm thinking of putting a low modular deck down over it anyway (so if they do need access, it just lifts off, and no permits).

    Anyway, it doesn't matter unless you intend to build a full structure, then its all surveys and engineers. If you are just going to live there and it's at the bottom of the yard, make it a garden bed and meh.

  • sumyungguy on 15/08/2023 - 10:39

    Is the property in the Brisbane council area? You can book a virtual drainage plan inspection and select the correct plan to purchase. You can also view water and sewerage infrastructure online via Urban Utilities

    • simplesierra on 15/08/2023 - 20:24

      Thanks no man hole on the map. How does virtual inspection work?

      • sumyungguy on 15/08/2023 - 20:32

        As others have indicated, the inspection cover is likely redundant. Open it and have a look. The only thing you need to be concerned about is the location of the sewer and whether that's an issue for any future development plans. Virtual inspection is done online with Council. What's the land size?

  • spedohero on 15/08/2023 - 10:58

    It should be an inspection hole though smaller, maybe a palm size only, at my side yard. It is usually near the easement.

    Yes, I would avoid if I have the chance again. I bought mine during the period when bidding was like a war.

  • Gdsamp on 15/08/2023 - 11:28
    +2

    Well done on DYOR BTW

  • Gnilgorf on 15/08/2023 - 12:15

    How very curious! As others have said, open it up and take a look.
    My first thought would have been an old septic tank lid from an age before the mains sewer got installed. But i'm unfamiliar with QLD conditions, and others have already mentioned the ICON mark on lid. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    As for thoughts about the property, having a sewer line (or any sort of utility) running through the property will limit what you can do on the site in the future.
    If you have no plans to extend, and are happy with the property as is, then so be it~ Otherwise you'll find you can never really build over it. And always run the risk of the Utility coming through and requesting access.
    Normally they would run along one edge, but this cuts 2/3's into the property…which is odd.

  • foursaken on 15/08/2023 - 13:59
    +3

    Mate, ask the agent about the easement on the property. It should be clearly marked on the sale documents.

    Although I cannot see your pics, I'm in ACT and have an easement that runs up one of my fences to a manhole in my garden. Nothing has ever come out of it or gone into it in 4 years. I have not tried to build over it because… that's what an easement is.

    Also https://actmapi-actgov.opendata.arcgis.com/maps/actgov-easem…

    ACT has amazing geospacial data available.

    • simplesierra on 15/08/2023 - 16:08

      Hi no easements listed but there is a urban utilities sewer line going through the property.

      • greatlamp on 16/08/2023 - 23:10

        Is it possible that some utilities may not require an easement to enter your property? Otherwise they would require your permission to use that manhole.

        You should also be able to get a copy of the zoning plan from the sate office to double check what is provided with the title docs

  • Gros21 on 15/08/2023 - 14:03

    couple of my places have manholes. Means nothing really no one has ever come to check them or so forth.

    I build a shed over similar pipework that goes though my block similar to yours (can go 10M) it had to be a floating slab nothing crazy. All council approved. This property has a man hole cover.

    All was required is a guy from my cities water came over sprayed a 1m wide strip and said yea no issue keep it a 1m under 10m and it will have no issues. 10m if its a mm over they could sting me for extra crap.

  • brad1-8tsi on 15/08/2023 - 19:33

    I had a Sydney Water easement down the driveway at my first property.
    Bought it cheap and sold it cheap with the added bonus that the pool of potential buyers was much smaller.

    edit: the pit cover is probably electrical.

    • spedohero on 15/08/2023 - 21:07

      Does it really push the price down with easements?

      • brad1-8tsi on 16/08/2023 - 16:19

        It did for my place as it prevented any development (unless substantial money was spent encapsulating the pipe) of the property over ~25% of the block.

  • Summoner on 15/08/2023 - 20:53

    Try Before You Dig Australia?

  • megadeth on 15/08/2023 - 22:16

    Looks like an easement…

  • RichB on 16/08/2023 - 08:03

    That looks like a really old stormwater riser and access hatch. If so, there's a good chance of a 4-6ft diameter storm drain running underneath. It also means the property is potentially low lying and subject to flooding.
    The utilities will almost certainly not let you build over it (cover or drain pipe itself), so that requirement will sterilise that whole section of the property, and influence the shape and structure you can build E.g. transversally vs longitudinally. Be very careful, there's a reason properties like this sit around for a while. It takes a creative builder to come up with a design that works around these issues.

    • simplesierra on 16/08/2023 - 10:12

      Thanks. I can’t see any stormwater pipes on the maps of the property and the water line is on the street. What would be the best way to do due dilligence on this? Plumber first to identify and then maybe something else?

      • sumyungguy on 16/08/2023 - 10:31

        Try this one: stormwater manhole

        • simplesierra on 16/08/2023 - 10:38

          https://pasteboard.co/KXj7DcqePSSt.jpg

          Looks like the stormwater goes through a property several houses down the road. Thoughts?

          • sumyungguy on 16/08/2023 - 10:56

            @simplesierra: Does your property slope down towards the road?

            • simplesierra on 16/08/2023 - 11:03

              @sumyungguy: Away from the road (property sits on lower side of the street)

              • sumyungguy on 16/08/2023 - 11:10

                @simplesierra: Then you'll have stormwater running from the pits under the downpipes to those mains. I have no idea where mine run…

                • simplesierra on 16/08/2023 - 14:25

                  @sumyungguy: I found out the neighbour had the exact same manhole in his yard in the same spot. He said it’s not sewer related and he was able to dig it up and replace the manhole with a smaller grate.

                  • simplesierra on 18/08/2023 - 07:22
                    +1

                    @simplesierra: https://pasteboard.co/eIFk4sVjdbUJ.jpg

                    Finally opened it, it is a gravel pit for stormwater run off from the house. One pipe which connects to two pipes running down the side of the house. I think I’m okay to demolish and put in a smaller plastic grate.

                    • TiredKitty78 on 24/08/2023 - 18:33

                      @simplesierra: Don't 'think' KNOW with this type of shit.
                      Better to call every mofo saying 'who put this here, who 'owns' it, and what can i legally do, then to get massive fines or something because you fooked with government property.
                      And if no one knows nothing? Get records of that to so 10-20 years from now you can say you did you due diligence.
                      Or don't. We're all lazy and dumb. Legit.

  • kaleidoscope on 16/08/2023 - 22:04

    Would you steer clear of a property like this that has a sewer line running under or is this a potential buying opportunity?

    No why?

    What would my options be with moving/building over the manhole?

    You can't build permanent structures over the manhole or easement.

    What other considerations need to be made regarding the manhole?

    Depends on what you have plans for… If that was to the corner of the block you can put in something like a deck over it such as outdoor bbq area or something like that but not limiting access to it. I personally would not bother. Generally speaking blocks that are non rectangular, corner or with easement sells less for per sqm compared to the ones without such. But that's nothing new.

    • simplesierra on 18/08/2023 - 07:22

      https://pasteboard.co/eIFk4sVjdbUJ.jpg

      Finally opened it, it is a gravel pit for stormwater run off from the house. One pipe which connects to two pipes running down the side of the house. I think I’m okay to demolish and put in a smaller plastic grate.

  • Kikkoman56 on 16/08/2023 - 23:29

    As others have suggested it may be stormwater related but it's odd that it's completely covered if it is. I would get someone to pop it open and have a look.

    The fact you have sewer running through your lot like that though would suggest it's old combined drain. Refer BCC link and fact sheet for more about combined drains.

    Generally speaking it's a pain to deal with and is not allowed in current developments. The amount of fixtures allowed may be limited on the line due to size/grade and you could be up for the cost of upgrading if your intended development needed it. Also from a structural perspective anything you do build will need to comply with QDC MP1.4 as per below, skip the wordy bits and just scroll down straight to the diagrams. They're pretty straightforward. Note the clear to sky requirement usually applies to the location of your house connection/stub. In your screenshot there you can see a little stub.

    I'm an RPEQ but structural only atm, but I can try an answer any other queries.

    • simplesierra on 18/08/2023 - 07:21

      https://pasteboard.co/eIFk4sVjdbUJ.jpg

      Finally opened it, it is a gravel pit for stormwater run off from the house. One pipe which connects to two pipes running down the side of the house. I think I’m okay to demolish and put in a smaller plastic grate.

      • Kikkoman56 on 18/08/2023 - 07:58

        I heard about these and I know we had to do one in Ipswich before in old estates with no lawful point of discharge. Since you don't have any stormwater structures you have a soaker pit of sorts to discharge the water to the surrounding soil.

        Would be prudent to get someone to verify it'll be fine for the situation. Stormwater usually is designed to produce a "non-worsening" effect. If your replacement pit causes significant overland flow to end up in the neighbours lot and floods their house for instance. Investigations could find your "new works" responsible for the damage. This is blurred though because it's clearly an old estate and I wouldn't be surprised if there already is some form of overland flow anyways due to the lack of actual pipes to convey flow.

  • fredk1000 on 16/08/2023 - 23:37

    I have 60cm pizza looking access hole in the corner of the house close to the fence. In the 15 years or so, no one has asked for access.
    Never bothered me before.

    • Kikkoman56 on 16/08/2023 - 23:48

      All things going well it's unlikely anyone ever will bother you about it, but if you intend to develop the lot beyond it's current state someone needs to certify it and that could mean triggering assessment by the likes of council or your local utilities service provider.

      • fredk1000 on 17/08/2023 - 21:29

        Nah I am unlikely do anything with the house this stage.

  • OmboKing on 17/08/2023 - 07:36

    I agree that it depends on whether it will impact your use of the house.

    I have a stormwater and sewerage easement along the entire back fence of my quite long block.
    I bought the house being a bit concerned about what it would mean to have to deal with it, but honestly, have not had to deal with it at all. The major issue would be whether you wanted to renovate and extend the building, in which you can’t build close to the easement. Also, if there was a problem with the line, people would have to come out and enter the property and open it up and work on it.

    However, the manhole for the sewer is actually great. I use it as a concrete platform for my birdbath. Absolutely perfect as the lawn has a slope!

  • greater mimic on 17/08/2023 - 07:44

    I have a sewer line in my backyard and it's been fine because it runs right next to the back fence and my garden is built over it. There's a part which I wanted to pave and part of the sewer line was sticking out, but I was able to have this lowered and paving done around it and it's pretty flush

    For the manhole cover could it be a soakwell? Any pipes leading to it? Pretty strange design but you could probably put something on it or investigate it a bit more

    • simplesierra on 18/08/2023 - 07:20

      https://pasteboard.co/eIFk4sVjdbUJ.jpg

      Finally opened it, it is a gravel pit for stormwater run off from the house. One pipe which connects to two pipes running down the side of the house. I think I’m okay to demolish and put in a smaller plastic grate.

  • scissorspaperrock on 17/08/2023 - 09:05

    Gray water tank?. Septic ones normally have inspection ports
    Looks like the one we had when we lived in QLD

  • Rear CreviceEruption on 17/08/2023 - 10:00

    It may be useful if you eat a lot of suspicious meat and need to emit a gigantic eruption out of your rear crevice.

  • JimB on 17/08/2023 - 10:00

    From the drawings, the property already looks subdivided so unlikely you'll be able to develop further (without the easement) anyway.

    The good news is that your neighbour to your left can't develop either and block your light.

  • factor on 17/08/2023 - 10:13

    Icon-Septech might have been the manufacturer? It looks a bit like some septic tank access holes too.

  • FezMonkey on 17/08/2023 - 10:53
    +1

    Looks like the rectangular bit is the opening so probably not sewer, but either way be careful when opening it.
    Sewers release gasses that can knock you out, so don't be standing with your face directly over it just in case.

    • thisusernameistaken on 17/08/2023 - 12:12

      Maybe don't go inside either as the gas can be odorless and be toxic.

  • TiredKitty78 on 18/08/2023 - 03:25

    Reverse image search suggests this might be an underground 'fire hydrant', for connecting to the main water lines if the firefighters ever need it. https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9260

    Idk, seems like you'd have to consider if there's extra specifics on what you have to do so that the potential hydrant remains accessible and usable. Especially since the firefighters would need immediate direct access. No fences, no nothing. Unless it's become obsolete or something. Might be good to give water corps a call and see if hey have any records of it.

  • rushil01 on 18/08/2023 - 10:51

    Just submit a request for Dials to your property:

    https://www.byda.com.au/

  • simplesierra on 20/08/2023 - 18:44
    Merged from Stormwater Gravel Pit Options

    Posted here a week ago with unknown manhole in the middle of the backyard. I’ve since had a plumber out who told me it was a stormwater gravel pit.

    I hate the look of the manhole and want to either put in a smaller grate or move it to the back of the yard. What are my options and what are some rough prices?

    It looks like the neighbour has installed a stormwater pipe on the back fence FYI.

    Thanks,

    https://pasteboard.co/yxS9CUZ7yxGC.jpg

    https://pasteboard.co/qRuRT6yV4xQK.jpg

    https://pasteboard.co/hXwPwjrFm0rS.jpg

    • MITM on 20/08/2023 - 18:53
      +4

      So what did the plumber suggest ?

      • djones145 on 20/08/2023 - 18:59
        +9

        he suggested to post on ozbargain

        • jv on 20/08/2023 - 21:37
          +1

          I still think it's a nuclear bunker.

    • oscargamer on 20/08/2023 - 19:16

      That is what i would call a soakaway pit

      You could easily line it with geofabric, fill the geofabric with large gravel/stones (larger than 100mm size) to a level above the grey pipe, cover the gravel/fill with more geofabric and then put soil on top, then grass. The geo will stop any movement of soil but will allow the gravel to 'hold' water and allow the water to soakaway in time.

      • simplesierra on 21/08/2023 - 09:56

        Would this mean that this patch of grass in the yard would pool when there’s heavy downpour and then eventually flow downhill to the back of the property? Would a grate need to be installed instead? Do you think the pit is the best option or would a water tank or some other method be better?

        • oscargamer on 21/08/2023 - 10:59

          The pit would continue to operate as it currently does. There would be no pooling.a water tank would not be a better option.

    • Muzeeb on 20/08/2023 - 19:43
      +1

      What MS Paint black magic are you using here? God tier.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 20/08/2023 - 21:17
      +1

      Can't you just put a pot plant over the manhole?

      • jv on 20/08/2023 - 21:41
        +1

        or a statue…

        • Muzeeb on 20/08/2023 - 23:07

          At least have the decency to credit me for taking a nice photo of you at last Fridays BBQ.

          • jv on 20/08/2023 - 23:13

            @Muzeeb: I told you to use the portrait lens.

            • Muzeeb on 20/08/2023 - 23:37

              @jv: My bad. I thought you were banging on about the poor treatment of your decaying statues.

    • AngoraFish on 20/08/2023 - 22:16
      +2

      Cheaperst option would be to cover with a manhole cover like this https://www.reece.com.au/product/surface-drainage-c14/grates…

      Second cheapest would be to drop one of these on top so it looks like a surface drain. Backfill around the edges with soil and grass seed so you only see the grate. https://www.reece.com.au/product/surface-drainage-c14/grates…

      You could also cover with a fiber cement sheet with artificial turf glued to it, the nice stuff with some decent pile and coloured fleck. https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuff-turf-1-8m-wide-25mm-pile-k9…

      Relocating the soakwell probably won't leave you with much change from $5k, maybe twice that for all new, but you've got plenty of options at that point https://www.soakwells.com/whatis.html

      I wouldn't have called it a gravel pit. There's no need for there to be any gravel in that system. Gravel would just reduce the capacity of the system for no obvious reason. Odds-on your soakwell is just full of crap and needs to be cleaned out.

    • franco cozzo on 21/08/2023 - 07:56

      I hate the look of the manhole

      its 2023 bigot…..dont you mean 'personhole'???

    • 82norm on 21/08/2023 - 07:56

      Easy job, dig a similar size pit further at the back, line with Geotech fabric and dump blue metal, place another layer of geotech, bit more blue metal, then soil, grass, Bobs your uncle. Make the pit decent size. Also instead of 90mm pvc, use the flexible pipe with holes to connect to existing pipe. Makes your pit the last line of defence for big down pours. Have a rainwater tank on back of shed and did this, rather than let the water run to neighbours yard. Haven’t had any issues for 20 years (no clogging, no spongy area, no bog marsh).

      • simplesierra on 21/08/2023 - 08:27

        Thanks for that! Would you suggest redirecting the new pipe to the side fence and then down the fence to the back? Reason I don’t want the pipe all the way down the middle of the yard is in case I want to put a pool in down the track.

        Is a rainwater tank required or is the back neighbours yard not my responsibility?

        • 82norm on 21/08/2023 - 08:54

          Yes, you can run the pipe along the side, that would be better, use the black ag pipe with holes and a sock.

          The rainwater tank was my choice.
          The neighbours yard us not my responsibility…. I could have easily run the pipe to the neighbour and not give a shit, but it’s about doing the right thing. I didn’t want to be responsible for causing damage.

          Btw when I said easy, it’s easy, just need elbow grease for digging. I didn’t mention about buying a pit (plastic)… personally , I think you can get away with it… I certainly have.

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