Funding to innovate regional community wastewater systems
The Community Wastewater Innovation Fund, managed by LGA South Australia, provides $230,000 in State Government funding to eligible organisations to advance strategic CWMS initiatives.
Demand for funding is high, with last year’s round receiving 14 applications seeking around $730,000 for projects with a combined value of around $1 million.
Importance of CWMS
Community Wastewater Management Systems are critical infrastructure supporting regional communities and their growth.
Not only do they remove potential health and environmental risks caused by ageing septic tanks, but they also encourage and facilitate the construction of new housing in regional South Australia, which is essential to increase housing stock and affordability.
The Community Wastewater Innovation Fund supports smarter, more efficient approaches to wastewater management by funding projects that help regional communities now and into the future.
Who can apply
All South Australian councils, regional local government associations, education institutions and universities, local government professional bodies, and organisations interested in collaborating with local government can apply for funding.
Projects must deliver clear outcomes and address the CWMS needs of local councils to be eligible for funding.
Applicants are encouraged for all aspects of CWMS, covering any of the following funding priorities:
- asset management and infrastructure sustainability
- capacity and strategic planning
- innovation, technology and data solutions
- sector capability, governance and collaboration
- enhancing skills and knowledge
- operations and incident management.
Applications for the 2026-27 funding round for the Community Wastewater Innovation Fund close 4:00 pm Friday 18 December 2026.
For more information or to lodge visit Community Wastewater Innovation Fund.