Wastewater legislation

Wastewater regulations and codes have been formulated to reflect changes associated with current trends in wastewater management practice and to protect public health.

South Australian Public Health Act 2011

The South Australian Public Health Act 2011 provides a head of power enabling administration of the Wastewater Regulations and Department for Health and Wellbeing codes relating to on-site wastewater systems.

Wastewater Regulations

The South Australian Public Health (Wastewater) Regulations 2013 detail the legislative requirements for wastewater systems, including on-site wastewater systems including:

  • manufacture
  • installation
  • operation
  • maintenance.

On-site Wastewater Systems Code

The SA Health On-site Wastewater Systems Code April 2013 (PDF 2901KB) is a prescribed code under the Wastewater Regulations. It needs to be read in conjunction with the Wastewater Regulations, other relevant prescribed codes contained therein, the relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards and national codes.

The On-site Wastewater Systems Code has been compiled to assist the relevant authorities with processing applications for approval of on-site wastewater products, on-site wastewater installations and individual connections to a community wastewater management system (CWMS). It also provides information on the requirements to assist manufacturers, designers, local councils, consultants, industry, property owners and occupiers:

  • considerations at the planning stage of on-site wastewater systems
  • design of on-site wastewater systems
  • approval of on-site wastewater products
  • technical information for connection to a CWMS

The On-site Wastewater Systems Code replaces the South Australian Health Commission’s Standard for the Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems in South Australia and its supplements A and B.

Community Wastewater Management Systems Code

The SA Health Community Wastewater Management Systems Code April 2013 (PDF 111KB) is a prescribed code under the Wastewater Regulations. It needs to be read in conjunction with the Wastewater Regulations, other relevant prescribed codes contained therein, the relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards and national codes.

The Community Wastewater Management Systems Code has been compiled to assist the relevant authorities in providing information for applications to install a community wastewater management system (CWMS). It also provides information on requirements to assist consultants, local councils, developers, builders and plumbers, property owners and occupiers on:

  • considerations at the planning stages of a CWMS
  • design of a CWMS
  • ongoing operation and maintenance of a CWMS

Other Acts and regulations

Persons or agents facilitating the design, installation and operation of a wastewater system must ensure compliance with the requirements of other regulatory authorities.