The South Australian Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) Design Criteria has been jointly prepared by the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) and the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW). It replaces the Septic Tank Effluent Drainage Scheme (STEDS) Design Criteria (LGA, DHW).

South Australia has a large number of STEDS which were designed using the STEDS Design Criteria. In recent years there has been a shift towards sewerage systems or combinations of the two, along with the introduction of new technologies and changes to industry practices. The need for a review of the STEDS Design Criteria was identified in light of these industry changes.

The South Australian Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) Design Criteria has been prepared with the objective of providing design criteria for all types of CWMS with particular focus on South Australian conditions. This document is to be reviewed and updated every five years.

The LGA CWMS Management Committee is proud to have provided the impetus and support towards the development of this valuable sector wide resource.

South Australian Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) - Design Criteria

The codes and guidelines that apply to CWMS Design include the:

• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (AGWR) Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1) (2006)
• Community Wastewater Management Systems Code (SA Health 2013)
• On-site Wastewater Systems Code (SA Health 2013)

Guidelines for Non-drinking Water in South Australia, Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) including:

• Part 0 - Glossary of terms, abbreviations and references (2017)
• Part 1- Infrastructure (2017)
• Part 2- Onsite Plumbing (2018)

The following WSAA Codes also apply to CMWS Design:

• WSA 01 – Polyethylene Pipeline Code of Australia
• WSA 02 – Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 03 – Water Supply Code of Australia (Supplement) Dual Water Supply Systems
• WSA 04 – Sewage Pumping Station Code of Australia
• WSA 06 – Vacuum Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 07 – Pressure Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 302 – SCADA Guidelines

Technical design criteria for STEDS are included within the Design Criteria document, as STEDS are not included in any WSAA code.

The EPA Acts, Policies and Guidelines to be read in conjunction with the Design Criteria document include:

• The Environment Protection Act 1993
• EPA Evaluation Distances for Effective Air Quality and Noise Management (August 2016)
• EPA Wastewater Lagoon Construction Guidelines (Updated April 2019)
• EPA Septic Tank Sludge Management (October 2016)
• EPA Draft – South Australian Biosolids Guidelines for the Safe Handling and Reuse of Biosolids (April 2017)
• EPA Liquid Storage Guidelines – Bunding and Spill Management (May 2016)
• Relevant environmental protection policies

The latest edition of each code, standard or guideline should be applied when designing a CWMS and it is the designers’ responsibility to ensure that the latest editions are used.

• SD-00 - Drawing Index and Notes
• SD-01 - Flushing Point and Inspection Opening Details
• SD-02 - Property Connection Details
• SD-03 - Flushing Point and Property Connection Details
• SD-04 - Maintenance Hole DN1050 To DN1500
• SD-05 - Drop Maintenance Hole Details
• SD-06 - Maintenance Hole Junction Details
• SD-07 - Submersible Pumping Station Plan
• SD-08 - Submersible Pumping Station Section
• SD-09 - Pump or Valve Chamber Access Cover
• SD-10 - Non Submersible Pumping Station
• SD-11 - Vent and Base Detail
• SD-12 - Pump Station Switchboard Layout
• SD-13 - Lagoon Transfer Pipe Details
• SD-14 - Storage Lagoon Overflow Detail
• SD-15 - Lagoon Fence
• SD-16 - Marker Post and Warning Sign Details
• SD-17 - Facultative Lagoon Typical Arrangements
• SD-18 - Air Valve and Scour Valve Details
• SD-19 - Common Trench Details

Please note that these shall be applied to STEDS designs only. They shall not be applied to full sewage sewerage schemes.

Technical Specifications

***Coming Soon***

The Government of Western Australia, Department of Health and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has prepared a fact sheet to provide information and best practice guidance for organisations and workers handling human effluent (sewage), biosolids or recycled water.

There is a risk of pathogens being present in treated sewage, biosolids or recycled water even if the human effluent treated at wastewater treatment plants has been disinfected.

People who may be at risk of exposure include:

• Workers at sewage treatment plants
• Workers transporting septage from septic tanks to licenced facilities
• Operators of recycled water schemes
• Workers applying biosolids to land
• Workers and laboratory staff handling sewage or recycled water samples or biosolids or contaminated soil samples
• Plumbers, irrigators and other people involved in maintenance work for wastewater systems or recycled water

The guidance document provides both workers and employers with details on the more common hazards when handling human effluent and the best practice preventive measures required to manage risks.

Please visit their website to find out more information or download the fact sheet here.