Rogue tree roots behind increase of gross problem across Adelaide in dry conditions

Entire suburbs are complaining about the foul stench from streets and backyards – now we know what’s causing it.

Deprived of water in SA’s dry conditions, tree roots are being drawn to sewerage pipes.

Tree roots desperate for water amid South Australia’s drought are increasingly seeking out moisture from sewerage pipes, causing havoc as residents report their gardens filling with poo.

An SA Water spokesman said tree root intrusions increased during prolonged dry periods and the problem was most common in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs and foothills.

“Particularly in prolonged periods of dry and warm conditions, similar to what we have recently experienced, tree roots can seek out water through joints in pipes, which can lead to blockages or wastewater overflows,” he said.

“Typically, Adelaide’s eastern suburbs and foothills experience a higher number of blockages caused by tree root intrusion, due to the presence of more trees, including in open spaces such as parks and gardens.

“Tree root intrusion to underground pipes remains the leading cause of blockages within our statewide wastewater network, contributing to approximately 60 per cent of total blockages every year.”

The spokesman said 285 blockages caused by tree roots were recorded across the sewer network in March this year, compared with 172 in March 2024.

A resident from Hackham, who requested her name not be published, said she returned from work on Monday night to find her garden flooded with sewage, with poo and debris “running at high speed”.

She said an SA Water employee attended her home and explained a tree root had grown in the middle of her street’s main sewerage pipe – and hers was the fifth similar job SA Water had attended on Monday as dry conditions worsened the issue.

Tree roots are increasingly blocking sewerage pipes amid SA’s drought.

“I could smell it from inside the house; I could smell it in the street,” the resident said.

“It was very upsetting because I had spent so much time on the garden.”

She said the SA Water employee told her the dry winter and dry summer had made trees creep into pipes for water across Adelaide.

Her garden continues to be “covered in s**t”, even after clean-up crews removed “contaminated” items from her house, including her firepit.

Tyson Boyd, a plumber at Camden Park, said his business had seen an increase in blockages because of the dry conditions, especially in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.

“Clients have had to deal with sewer debris externally and internally within their households,” he said.

“We have seen a recent elderly client have her entire basement filled with sewage.”

Mr Boyd said people should clean their drains regularly to avoid high weekend call-out fees and property damage caused by intrusive tree roots.

A spokesman said SA Water “actively undertakes proactive measures” to prevent tree root blockages, including CCTV camera inspections to monitor the condition of pipes and using “using high-pressure jet rodders to dislodge and cut through pipes” blocked by tree roots.

“We encourage our customers to use our online tree planting guide when planting new trees and shrubs on their properties, to ensure selected species that can minimise tree root intrusion on their private pipework or our sewer network,” he said.

Originally published as Rogue tree roots behind increase of gross problem across Adelaide in dry conditions