New South Wales drainage is dominated by two realities: the reactive clay soils of western Sydney that pool water for days, and the high-rainfall coast and ranges where volume is the issue. French drains are a common fix across the Sydney basin, the Central Coast and the Northern Rivers.
Sydney's western suburbs sit on some of the most reactive clay in the country, while the Blue Mountains and Northern Rivers deal with sheer rainfall. Drainage solutions here lean on stormwater connections rather than soak wells.
Each area has its own drainage conditions, tap through for local context and recommended installers.
Greater Sydney spans free-draining sandstone ridges and heavy clay basins, so drainage advice that works in the Sutherland Shire can be wrong in…
Out on the western plains, Penrith and surrounds sit on heavy reactive clay that holds water on the surface long after rain. Soak wells frequently…
Newcastle mixes coastal sand near the beaches with clay and old industrial fill further inland, and a high water table in low-lying suburbs. Drainage…
Hemmed between the escarpment and the sea, Wollongong blocks often deal with water coming downhill off the ranges in heavy rain. Interceptor French…
The Central Coast around Gosford and Wyong has many low-lying, high-water-table suburbs near the lakes and waterways. Drainage often contends with a…