Power supplier Energex has asked an inquiry into Queensland's summer floods to recommend it be given greater control over the placement of substations as a safety measure.
Brisbane residents say lives were in danger when apartment block basements flooded, inundating electrical substations in January.
The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry has in recent weeks heard several residents, business owners and body corporate members say the buildings' electricity supply hadto be cut when floodwaters became electrified.
Energex network performance general manager Christopher Arnold told the inquiry in Brisbane on Tuesday that Energex always aimed to have substations installed above the defined flood level.
But commercial interests often prevented them from being installed on a higher floor, he said.
Mr Arnold said legislation should be amended to give Energex more control over the situation.
Asked whether the legislation should include a mandatory requirement for substations to be placed on a particular floor, he said Energex should be given discretionary involvement.
The inquiry, which has just eight days of hearings remaining, on Tuesday also heard from Paul Belz, of water retailer Queensland Urban Utilities.
Mr Belz said a number of investigations were under way to examine the performance of the city's sewerage systems, including pipes that cross the Brisbane River, which were fractured by floating debris.
He explained the company was developing a number of strategies to prevent sewage backflow, including a "Think at the Sink" public awareness campaign.
About 2.5 million people were affected and at least 35 died when more than 70 per cent of the state flooded last summer.
Several insurance bosses are scheduled to give evidence to the inquiry on Tuesday afternoon.
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