CWMS connections

Properties in The Barossa Council may be connected and serviced by our Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS).

Our CWMS is a wastewater management system operated under the Water Industry Act 2012 as a fee for service sewerage treatment system built into your rates.

Sewer from your property flows into the septic tank on your property, which is an underground tank made from either concrete, bricks or plastic. Within the septic tank, the liquid and solid portions of the sewerage are separated. The solids settle to the bottom of the tank where naturally occurring bacteria convert the material into sludge. The liquid effluent passes out of the septic tank, via pipework to the boundary connection outlet drain, into Council’s CWMS.

The effluent water from each property is treated as per EPA requirements to recycled water standards, for use by local irrigators and on Council reserves. This provides a guaranteed water supply in times of drought and reduces our local impact on the River Murray and is a valuable water supply in times of bushfires.

If you are planning to develop i.e. sub-divide, build, alter an existing dwelling, install and/or alter a spa or swimming pool, or connect your property to the Community Wastewater Management System you will need to apply for construction or modification on council property, which is separate to a development application.

If you have an overflow or blockage, locate your boundary connection point (IP) and remove the lid.

If there is no water flow observed through the IP when you turn on a tap in your house, the blockage is most likely on your property. Please contact a licensed plumber to clear the blockage.

If water has filled the IP, the blockage is most likely in Council’s drain. Please contact Council to arrange for one of our CWMS Officers to assess and clear the blockage.

Please ensure that your boundary connection (IP) has clear access at all times. Do not cover or build over your boundary connection points.

If your property is connected to the CWMS, as part of the services included within your annual rates, we will arrange for an EPA licenced contractor to desludge your septic tank. This ensures the effective operation of the septic tank and maintains the efficient operation of the CWMS. This will occur once every four years (maximum) dependent on the size and/or requirements of your system.

Property owners are required to ensure the septic tank lid is exposed for the contractors immediately prior to desludging. Council's contractor will provide advance notice of the required service dates.

The Barossa Council is licensed under Part 4 of the Water Industry Act 2012 (SA) to provide sewerage services at Mount Pleasant, Williamstown, Lyndoch, Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Springton and Stockwell. Specifically, the operation of a Community Wastewater Management System and associated infrastructure to residential and non-residential customers.

The Barossa Council is licensed under Part 4 of the Water Industry Act 2012 (SA) to provide non-potable water services within the boundaries of The Barossa Council and associated infrastructure to residential and non-residential customers.

Our Customer Charter - Water and Sewerage Services provides you with a clear standard of service to expect from us, in relation to non-drinking, non-residential water and CWMS sewerage. It also provides your rights and responsibilities under the Essential Services Commission of South Australia's (ESCOSA) Water Retail Code.

As part of our commitment to open, responsive and accountable government, parties adversely affected by a decision of Council or its delegates can raise their grievances and have their grievances considered in a fair and consistent way. For more information see our Internal Review of Council Decisions.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman SA can facilitate the prompt resolution of disputes between the consumers of energy and water services and the providers of those services, by providing a free, independent, accessible, fair and informal service to consumers.

Vacant residential and non-residential charge (land only)

Paying this charge will provide CWMS infrastructure only on the piece of land. You can only discharge wastewater once an approved septic system is connected to the CWMS. The annual fee will then convert from Vacant to Connected residential and non-residential charge (single dwelling).

Connected residential and non-residential charge (single dwelling)

Paying this charge will allow you to discharge sewerage waste by an approved wastewater system into the CWMS.

For more information please refer to our Fees and Charges Register.