Sewer blockages
South East Water's blockage guidance states that a blockage within the home or a combined drain is the customer's responsibility to unblock. A combined sewerage drain is privately owned and collects sewage from multiple properties before connecting to the utility sewer main.
Where the location is unclear, South East Water says to engage a licensed plumber to determine whether the blockage is in private pipes or its sewer. A symptom at a fixture does not establish that location. The utility's source page explains the relevant repair and claim arrangements; do not assign responsibility from the symptom alone.
While the blockage is being fixed, limit water use, including flushing toilets and using water-requiring appliances. For a rented home with a blocked or broken toilet system, Consumer Affairs Victoria says to contact the rental provider or agent straight away.
Water meters and leaks
South East Water's leak reporting guidance distinguishes ordinary meters from check meters in unit blocks. It maintains its ordinary meter and the pipes from the street to the meter. For check meters, it maintains the physical meter, not the pipes or stop taps.
Confirm the actual arrangement when reporting a fault near metering equipment. A water meter boundary and a sewer drain responsibility question are different matters.
Request plumbing help
Use the relevant utility reporting route where its assets may be involved. For a household repair, use the Contact page to Request Plumbing Help or read the blocked drains page.