On-site wastewater management systems
On this page:
- Wastewater management on Kangaroo Island
- Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) Kangaroo Island
- On-site wastewater management on Kangaroo Island
- Septic tanks with soakage systems
- Aerated wastewater treatment systems (formerly aerobic systems)
- Alterations to existing homes and premises
- Trade waste
- Relevant documents
- Contact Council
- Reporting a problem with stormwater
Wastewater management on Kangaroo Island
Some properties on Kangaroo Island are serviced by either Council-run Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) or an onsite system. If your property does not have a CWMS connection point you require onsite wastewater systems.
Council approval is required for all wastewater works systems to be installed. Please complete a Wastewater Works application form for the system you are connecting to or installing.
Our preferred method of lodgement is electronic. Please lodge applications electronically by sending them to kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.au.
Please Note:
All information and payment of fees is required for your application to proceed. Wastewater fees can be paid directly to Council via our Customer Service team, please phone 85534500. You will be issued with a tax receipt following payment.
For your application to proceed in a timely manner, applications must be have accompanying documentation and payment of wastewater fees. If relevant information is not provided this will result in a delay of assessment and approval of the application.
Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) Kangaroo Island
The CWMS (Community Wastewater Management System) comprise 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. Please keep in mind if your property is unable to connect via gravity to a sewer system you may be required to install a pump sump or septic tank.
Further information on CWMS please refer to the Kangaroo Island Council Community Wastewater Management Schemes (CWMS) Customer Charter /Policy
For more information please see:
- Flushable wipes - Bin them, Don't flush them
- Council and your responsibilities when connected to CWMS.
On-site wastewater management on Kangaroo Island
All properties not serviced by CWMS require a SA Health approved onsite wastewater system.
For onsite systems an engineer report is required.
Your engineer will design a system that is suitable for the soil type located on your property as per the wastewater code and or the AS1547 Standard. The engineer will provide a report and a scaled site plan showing the location of the septic tank and disposal system in relation to boundaries and buildings which require mandatory setbacks as set out in the code and AS1547 Standard You are also required to provide a scaled underfloor plumbing plan.
There are many systems you can choose and discussion with your engineer will determine a compliant wastewater design for your location.
For example, these are the most common:
- Septic tank with onsite disposal.
- Aerated wastewater treatment systems (formerly called aerobic systems). Including sand filter systems.
Septic tank with soakage systems
Wastewater is collected in the septic tank. The sludge material settles out and the water portion of the wastewater is directed to a underground disposal system that allows the wastewater to be absorbed by the soil.as this system relies on the ability of the surrounding area to absorb the wastewater; the quality of the soil determines if this type of system is suitable. The septic tank pump out frequency will depend on the number of persons using the system and the size of the system, this will be determined by the engineer.
Aerated wastewater treatment systems (formerly aerobic systems)
This system works by initial treatment of the wastewater by a aeration and chlorine to improve the quality of the wastewater to be discharged. Your engineer will determine the amount of irrigation or subsurface disposal required as this is dependent on soil profiles. Please note, recreational area must be shown on plans 100m2 this is dependent on the soil and whether it has been approved under the AS1547 standard.
The irrigation area must be landscaped, preferably with salt tolerant shrubs and trees and should be designed and signed to discourage pedestrian and vehicle access. A domestic septic tank needs to be pumped out on average every 4 years for 6 persons or as reported by the service technician who services the system 3 monthly
Owners are not permitted to undertake servicing of their own aerobic systems without undertaking training and accreditation recognised by SA Health.
Further information on this type of system can be found here:
Alterations to existing homes and premises
If you are going to modify or extend your home to include additional wet areas, such as bathrooms and sinks, you must lodge an application for upgrade to an existing wastewater system.
The fee structure for alternations are based on the number of people who will use the system’s capacity. For example commercial properties will pay a higher fee based on the number people using the system compared to residential property used by one family.
To apply please use the application below:
Trade Waste
Trade waste is a consideration for all commercial premises.
A trade waste is a discharge that can include oils, fats and other corrosive materials. Adequate pre-treatment is required of any trade waste in order to protect wastewater infrastructure.
Commercial business not connected to a town sewer system maybe impacting their onsite wastewater system advice should be sought as to the appropriate disposal method of trade waste.
When connecting to a town sewer system, this information will be required as part of any application for wastewater works through Council and may need to be upgraded as business activities change.
Further information on CWMS please refer to the Kangaroo Island Council Community Wastewater Management Schemes (CWMS) Customer Charter /Policy
Relevant documents
- On-site Wastewater Systems Code
- Wastewater Regulations 2013.
- Application for Wastewater works approval
Contact Council
Wastewater related enquiries such as new septic tank installationsshould be directed to Council’s Development Services Environmental Health Officer on (08) 8533 4500.
Requests for new stormwater or stormwater associated with a Planning Development Application should be directed to Council's Development Services team (08) 8533 4500.
Reporting a problem with stormwater
If you need to report a problem with existing stormwater for example. drains overflowing or damage to stormwater cut outs, please contact Council on (08) 8533 4500.and ask to speak to Council’s Field Services to log a customer service request for investigation and action.