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Septic Tanks, Aerobic Wastewater Treatment systems and
Sand Filters
The information below covers standard
onsite wastewater systems (septic tanks, aerobic wastewater systems and
sand filters) designed in accordance with Codes prescribed under the
Public and
Environmental Health Act (Waste Control) Regulations 1995.
Installation requirements for onsite systems not covered under these Codes
can be found on our Alternative Onsite
Systems page.
Approval
Approval must be obtained from the relevant
authority before a septic tank system is
installed.
Applications for installation must be made to:
-
the
local Council for the area in which the system is to be installed.
Our Council
Finder will assist in the location of the Council responsible for a
particular Town or Suburb
OR
-
the
Department's Regional Services Section
for areas not under local government administration
OR
-
the
Department's Wastewater Management Section
where the system is larger than 50 EP (Equivalent Population). The
EP value is calculated on 150 litres/day per person and a 50 BOD/day per
person at the septic tank outlet. If a large system is to be installed
and you are not sure if it comes within these criteria, contact the
Department's Wastewater Management Section for further advice.
An application fee applies.
Contact officers from the above authorities for the current fee. We
recommend that you discuss the proposed installation with these officers
in the early stages of planning a property development. There may be
important design considerations that need to be identified before planning
decisions are made.
In a sewerage area serviced by SA Water or a
Septic Tank Effluent Drainage Scheme (STED) or other schemes serviced by a local council or
a private scheme, there may be a requirement for wastewater systems to be
connected to these schemes.
If you plan to install an onsite wastewater system in:
the proposal should be
discussed with the service supplier, as a full or partial exemption from
any requirement for connection must obtained before the application for
installation is submitted. SA Water can be contacted in regard to sewerage
systems on (08) 8207-7758 (General Manager - Retail). The local
council Environmental Health Officers can advise you on STED or other schemes in
their area.
Codes and Standards
Standard onsite systems must comply with the following Code under the
Waste Control Regulations:
Standard
for the Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems in
South Australia (PDF 340k)
Two supplements are also available for
aerobic systems that can be used as alternatives to subsurface soakage
systems for septic tank effluent drainage schemes:
Printed copies of these Codes are
available. Contact the Wastewater Management Section or check our EH
Publications list for prices and ordering information.
A septic tank or aerobic waster water system must be an approved
product for sale and installation in South Australia. It is important that
you check with the manufacturer or supplier that the unit is an approved
system. See Approved Products list.
The Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500
(Sections 1, 2 and 5) Plumbing must be complied with during the
installation of a system. The standard can be obtained from the
Standards
Australia at 63 Greenhill Road, Wayville SA 5034 Telephone: 1300 65 46 46
The
Environmental Protection Authority has published the South
Australian Biosolids Guidelines for the safe handling, reuse or disposal
of biosolids (PDF 553k) as a guide to the beneficial, safe and
sustainable reuse of biosolids from wastewater:
Application forms
Information that must be provided with
the relevant application listed below is defined in the Standard for the
Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems or the
appropriate Supplement A or B.
Maintenance
Regular
maintenance of an onsite wastewater system is important for its efficient
operation. If you have a property with a septic tank system or aerobic
wastewater system and would like to know more about the maintenance of
these systems the Department has prepared the following information:
Approved wastewater products list |
Alternative Onsite
Systems | Wastewater systems
for towns and other larger developments |
Pre-manufactured
products for sale and use in installations in SA |
Reclaimed Water
Reuse | Wastewater Management |
Seminar 2006 |
Seminar 2003
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