Community Wastewater Management System
Light Regional Council is licensed by the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) to operate as an intermediate water retailer under the Water Industry Act 2012 (WIA) to provide wastewater services in South Australia.
The Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) comprises of two major components, properties that utilise a septic tank before connecting to the CWMS and those properties that use sewer connections (no septic tank required). Both are legislated by the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 and the South Australian Public Health (Wastewater) regulations 2013 to protect public health.
Council's CWMS operates in five townships within the district:
- Kapunda
- Freeling
- Greenock
- Nuriootpa (Neil Avenue)
- Roseworthy
Currently there are two sections in Freeling and one section in Kapunda that utilise sewer connections.
Sewer and Septic Maps
- Freeling South Sewer Map
- Kapunda (5 Shillings Estate) Sewer Map
- Wasleys Field Estate - On-site Septic System Map
For specific details of CWMS line locations and invert levels please, Contact Us.
Maintaining a septic tank
The septic tank is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain in good working condition. However, Council does include one scheduled pump out of your septic tank every four years. Any additional pump outs are the responsibility of the property owner.
Your septic tank is required to have an accessible lid to provide access for pumping out. The hatch is usually accessible by a riser with a concrete lid (as most tanks are buried).
The CWMS inspection point, where wastewater enters Councils CWMS must not be covered as Council may need to access it from time to time for maintenance.
Figure 1 below shows the responsibility of the CWMS drain.
Fees and Charges
State legislation allows Council to recover the full cost of operating and maintaining the CWMS from users of the service. The cost of the service is detailed in Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges. Properties connected to the CWMS are charged an annual service fee that is itemised on the rates notice. All fees collected are re-invested in the system.
Charges cover:
- Routine four (4) yearly pump outs of septic tanks
- The operation and maintenance of the network
- Renewal and upgrade of the mains
- Service support
- Treatment and reuse of the effluent
- Costs associated with depreciation, capital and risk.
Septic tanks for properties connected to the CWMS are pumped out by a contractor engaged by Council once every four years; usually in the first quarter of the calendar year i.e., between January and March.
Septic Tank Pump Out Program
2023: Kapunda Area A/Freeling Area B
2024: Kapunda Area B/Freeling Area C/Greenock Area A
2025: Kapunda Area C/Greenock Area B/Nuriootpa
2026: Kapunda Area D/Freeling Area A/Roseworthy Township
To determine which area your property is located in, refer below:
Before you lodge a Wastewater Application
To understand what is required to lodge a wastewater application, please read:
- Aerated Waste Water Treatment System (AWTS) Fact Sheet
- Application Guide Sheet on-site 2022
- Community Wastewater Management System Guide - CWMS
- Community Wastewater Management System Guide - Sewer
- SA Health On-site Wastewater Systems Code
- South Australian Public Health (Wastewater) Regulations 2013
Properties that have existing septic tanks cannot be converted to a sewer system.
Fees and Charges
| Normal Dwelling | New Transportable | Sewer (Freeling Estate, Schuster Estate Freeling, and Kidman Rise Kapunda) | Amendments to Existing System | |
| Wastewater Application Fee | $125.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Inspections @$139.00 each | x3 = $417.00 | x2 = $278.00 | x2 = $278.00 | x2 = $278.00 |
| Total | $542.00 | $403.00 | $403.00 | $403.00 |
Application for variation of a condition $125.00
Postponement of expiry of a wastewater works approval $125.00
Augmentation Fee $4,400.00
Where the wastewater control system capacity exceeds 10 EP an additional $27.50 for each 2 EP in excess of 10 EP will apply to the application fee of $125.00
Lodging a Wastewater Application
All Wastewater Application fees must be paid and the application must include:
- your wastewater plans and supporting documentation
- a completed and signed Wastewater Application form
Lodge your application, or for more information or assistance, Contact Us.
Freeling Wastewater Treatment Plant - Environment Improvement Program
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