Useful publications and resources
SA Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) – Design Criteria (PDF 839.8 KB)
This design criteria has been prepared by 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.
It's the designer's responsibility to make sure they apply the latest edition of each code, standard or guideline when designing a CWMS.
Codes and guidelines
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) (PDF 2.1 MB)
- Community Wastewater Management Systems Code (SA Health 2013) (PDF 110.4 KB)
- On-site Wastewater Systems Code (SA Health 2013) (PDF 2.8 MB)
- Guidelines for Non-drinking Water in South Australia (Office of the Technical Regulator) which comes in three parts:
View a summary of changes made to the guidelines for non-drinking water in 2024 (PDF 115 KB).
Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) codes
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.
Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) website
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) policies and guidelines
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) (PDF 1.3 MB)
- EPA Wastewater Lagoon Construction Guidelines (Updated April 2019) (PDF 535.6 KB)
- EPA Septic Tank Sludge Management (October 2016) (PDF 91.7 KB)
- EPA Draft – South Australian Biosolids Guidelines for the Safe Handling and Reuse of Biosolids (April 2017) (PDF 733.6 KB)
- EPA Liquid Storage Guidelines – Bunding and Spill Management (May 2016) (PDF 154.3 KB)
- Relevant environmental protection policies
Standard drawings
These must be applied to Septic Tank Effluent Drainage Scheme (STEDS) designs only. They should not be applied to full sewerage schemes.
- SD-00 – Drawing Index and Notes (PDF 463.7 KB)
- SD-01 – Flushing Point and Inspection Opening Details (PDF 453.1 KB)
- SD-02 – Property Connection Details (PDF 471.0 KB)
- SD-03 – Flushing Point and Property Connection Details (PDF 349.8 KB)
- SD-04 – Maintenance Hole DN1050 To DN1500 (PDF 576.9 KB)
- SD-05 – Drop Maintenance Hole Details (PDF 291.3 KB)
- SD-06 – Maintenance Hole Junction Details (PDF 276.0 KB)
- SD-07 – Submersible Pumping Station Plan (PDF 501.6 KB)
- SD-08 – Submersible Pumping Station Section (PDF 807.4 KB)
- SD-09 – Pump or Valve Chamber Access Cover (PDF 603.5 KB)
- SD-10 – Non Submersible Pumping Station (PDF 771.7 KB)
- SD-11 – Vent and Base Detail (PDF 541.3 KB)
- SD-12 – Pump Station Switchboard Layout (PDF 1.6 MB)
- SD-13 – Lagoon Transfer Pipe Details (PDF 537.7 KB)
- SD-14 – Storage Lagoon Overflow Detail (PDF 376.4 KB)
- SD-15 - Lagoon Fence (PDF 500.3 KB)
- SD-16 - Marker Post and Warning Sign Details (PDF 406.3 KB)
- SD-17 - Facultative Lagoon Typical Arrangements (PDF 370.4 KB)
- SD-18 - Air Valve and Scour Valve Details (PDF 382.0 KB)
- SD-19 - Common Trench Details %asset_summary_554613
Technical specifications
***Coming Soon***
The following guide offers best practice advice for organisations and workers handling human effluent (sewage), biosolids or recycled water.
Reducing the health risk for workers handling sewage, biosolids or recycled water (PDF 319.1 KB)
The guide was developed by WA's Department of Health and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
There's 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 licensed 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.