What’s an ORG – Overflow Relief Gully?
Discover what an Overflow Relief Gully (ORG) is, why it’s a critical part of your plumbing system, and how it helps protect your home by safely redirecting sewage in case of a blockage.
What Is an ORG?
An Overflow Relief Gully (ORG) might not be the flashiest part of your home, but it’s one of the most important when it comes to keeping your house safe from messy plumbing disasters.
An ORG is a drain-like fitting located outside your home, usually close to an exterior wall and often near the laundry or bathroom. Its main job? To act as a pressure-release valve for your sewer line. If there’s ever a blocked drain in your plumbing system, the ORG ensures that any overflow is safely diverted outside—rather than coming up through your shower or bathroom drains. Trust us, that’s not the kind of surprise anyone wants.
Why You Should Care About Your ORG
Here’s the thing: your ORG needs to be visible, accessible, and completely clear of obstructions—no pot plants, mulch, garden decorations, or anything else that could block it.
We’ve seen firsthand what can go wrong when it’s neglected. In one case, a homeowner went away for a few days and unknowingly left a pot plant sitting right over the ORG. While they were gone, the upstairs neighbours kept using their plumbing like normal. With nowhere for the wastewater to escape, it backed up and flooded the unit below—over two inches of raw sewage across the floors. The result? A costly clean-up, ruined flooring, and a whole lot of stress. And it all could have been avoided if that little grate had been left uncovered.
How an ORG Works
- 📍 Location: It’s always installed lower than your home’s internal waste outlets, meaning it will be the first point to overflow if your sewer line gets blocked.
- ✍ Design: The ORG usually has a plastic pop-up grate. In case of a blockage, the pressure will lift the grate and let sewage escape outdoors instead of backing up inside.
- ⚙ Function: It’s a safety valve—plain and simple. It protects your home from internal flooding by giving the sewage a place to go.
Important ORG Tips for Aussie Homes
Keep It Clear:
Never cover your ORG. Make sure it’s free from dirt, debris, or obstructions that could stop it from doing its job.
No Stormwater Connections:
ORGs are only for sewer overflow—not for draining rainwater. Connecting stormwater pipes or downpipes into your ORG is a big no-no. It’s illegal, and most councils will fine you for it.
Avoid Backflow:
Ensure your ORG is positioned higher than stormwater runoff so heavy rains won’t cause water to flow into the sewer system. Mixing stormwater with sewage puts extra pressure on treatment plants and can cause major environmental headaches.
Check for Proper Installation
Your ORG should be installed at the correct depth and in the right location. If you’re not sure it’s been done properly—or can’t find it at all—it’s time to call in the pros.
Why Stormwater and Sewerage Should Stay Separate
We know it might be tempting to let excess rainwater run through the ORG during a storm, but here’s why it’s a terrible idea: When stormwater gets into the sewer system, it overloads treatment plants, causes overflows, and can contaminate local waterways. Plus, imagine how high your sewer bills would be if councils had to treat every bit of rainwater too!
That’s why stormwater and sewerage are kept on two completely separate systems, and it’s why ORGs should only ever deal with sewage overflow from your home—not the rain coming off your roof.
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