Victorian authorities have urged plumbers to ensure drainage work is compliant after nearly one-third of projects were flagged during recent checks.  

Building and Plumbing Commission inspectors conducted 440 investigations of below-ground drainage works over two weeks, finding 146 drains that either did not meet standards or were not ready to be inspected.

The commission issued 35 immediate fines, totalling more than $20,000, and another 51 rectification notices for non-compliant jobs.  

Common problems included failure to meet minimum gradients for efficient water flow, incorrect alignments and a lack of openings and fittings for maintenance and inspection purposes.  

Inspectors found at least four unregistered workers, and another 14 people were referred for further investigations.  

Victorian law requires plumbers to book a drainage inspection by the commission before works can be backfilled.  

The Victorian Building Authority’s state building surveyor Steven Baxas says the findings show inspections are “mandatory for a reason and plumbers must comply.

“Getting underground drainage right is critical to preventing long-term problems for homeowners, and that’s why BPC inspectors will continue to be out in force.”