The CWMS (Community Wastewater Management System) comprises of two types of schemes, properties that utilise a septic tank for treatment of effluent waste before connecting to the CWMS (referred to as Septic Tank Effluent Drainage Scheme or STEDS type scheme) and those properties that utilise a direct sewer type connection (no septic tank required) with all effluent treated by the scheme.

Council's CWMS operates in four townships, Kingscote, American River, Parndana and Penneshaw.

Schemes at Kingscote and Parndana require the installation of a septic tank for each property that is connected to the CWMS.

The American River and Penneshaw Schemes are full sewer schemes, for which direct connection is available without the installation of a septic tank. Some allotments may require property pumps to access the CWMS network where gravity drainage is not available.

Please note that some allotments in American River (western extent of Sea Eagle Way, Plover Place and Kestrel Close) require STEDS type connection including septic tank. For further information, please contact Council on 08 8553 4500 or kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.au

Properties outside of the CWMS service areas have an onsite wastewater treatment system appropriate to serve the buildings to which it is connected and the size of the property. Approvals for all connections to CWMS and on-site systems are required under the SA Public Health Act 2011. An application form is available here.

* Information used in this application was derived from digital databases sourced by Kangaroo Island Council. Therefore, Kangaroo Island Council cannot accept any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or positional accuracy displayed on these maps. *

Connecting to a scheme

New Connections for Existing Serviced Allotments
Many vacant allotments within the CWMS service areas have been provided with connection points installed at the time of the scheme’s installation. A series of Plans for the existing CWMS collection networks are available in the related links.

Upon approval of the wastewater system application, development will be able to be connected by the plumber of your choice to your allotment’s connection point.

New Connections to Existing Un-Serviced Allotments
Some allotments may have been established without existing connection points or have existing onsite systems which can be connected to CWMS as the scheme expands or becomes available in new areas.

Where new connections are provided by Council to existing allotments where services are made available:

• Council will advise the property owner prior to commencing construction
• Council MUST install the appropriate connection to the property boundary
• Council will invoice the property owner following installation the advised Connection Fee (if applicable)
• Property owners must connect to the Scheme within 12 months of the infrastructure being installed, undertaken by a qualified plumber and the certificate of compliance forwarded to Council
• The septic tank (where applicable to STEDS type schemes) must be desludged prior to connection
• The Service Charge - CWMS will be effective from 1 July following installation of infrastructure.

New connections will be installed by Council with costs payable by the land owner. CWMS connection works are charged ‘at cost’ e.g. no profit, on installation. Once the connection is installed you will be able to engage a plumber of your choice to finalise the connection between your existing plumbing / septic tank and the CWMS connection.

Development, Re-development and Extensions to CWMS collection networks
Developers creating new allotments by land division, community schemes or re-development of areas will be required to submit engineered plans for new CWMS infrastructure, to Council demonstrating compliant design, layout and connection to the existing scheme, for approval.

Large scale developments may also, if necessary, be required to contribute to the upgrading of infrastructure in anticipated loadings exceed the capability of the existing scheme.

Upon receipt of design drawings and specifications, Council will assess the proposed network, extension or upgrade and provide a cost quote for installation (except with community title shemes where community managed infrastructure is proposed).

Fees and Charges associated with CWMS

Kangaroo Island Council has a number of Fees and Charges associated with the management of Community Wastewater Management Schemes (CWMS) Including CWMS Service Charge (payable as a component of property rating), new connections (infrastructure) and SA Public Health Act applications for approval of connection of household drainage to the CWMS (whether or not incorporating a septic tank). These fees and charges are outlined listed in Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.

The Service Charge - CWMS is payable on Rates Notices. All properties that have access to CWMS infrastructure including Vacant Land, is required to pay the Service Charge. Details on how the Service Charge - CWMS is calculated is available within the Kangaroo Island Council Community Wastewater Management Schemes Policy

Kangaroo Island Council has committed to ensuring the charges for CWMS services is maintained at a sustainable rate and is reported for monitoring to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) to be equivalent to the cost of managing and upgrading the schemes over the life of the scheme. Further information on Kangaroo Island Council’s CWMS operation and management can be found in the Kangaroo Island Council Community Wastewater Management Schemes Policy and the Customer Charter - Sewage Services.

Council's Water Industry Hardships Policy relative to wastewater services and infrastructure is available here.