|
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 (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. Further information can be obtained by contacting
the Environmental Health Officer at your local council or the Department of
Health. Go to the
Local Government website to locate 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
| 
