Unlike many inner or metropolitan council areas, residents of the Adelaide Hills cannot assume that they are connected to an externally managed sewer system. Many factors contribute towards this, including low density living, the age of many dwellings and topography that is not supportive of sewer networks.

Wastewater treatment and disposal throughout the Adelaide Hills Council is therefore undertaken with mixture of available methods. These include:

• traditional gravity sewer
• pressure sewer (whereby each property has a maceration unit)
• Council Waste Management Systems (CWMS, previously referred to as STEDS)
• onsite systems (septic, aerobic or alternative).

Each of these methods has its own unique responsibilities, benefits and drawbacks. As a property owner or resident of the Adelaide Hills, you should make yourself aware of the type of system on your property and the best methods of managing this system.

We provide CWMS services to customers in Birdwood, Kersbrook, Mount Torrens, Charleston, Verdun, Woodside and some parts of Stirling. Wastewater from Councils CWMS systems located at Birdwood, Kersbrook and Mount Torrens is treated and disposed of by Council owned and operated treatment facilities. Wastewater from CWMS systems located in Charleston, Woodside, Verdun and Stirling is collected through Council infrastructure and disposed of through SA Water owned treatment facilities.

Council's CWMS assets are currently included in a consortium seeking expressions of interest from specialist water companies that may have an interest in owning and operating these assets. To help you understand the impact of this investigation we have developed some Frequently Asked Questions.

We have a CWMS Wastewater Service Charter in place with the aim of providing our CWMS customers with a clear understanding of the standards of service they can expect from us and their rights and responsibilities. To inform CWMS customers on how the current prices have been developed and the rationale for price movements between the current and previous year Council has developed a CWMS Pricing Policy Statement.

For information on our CWMS, including inspection and connection contact us on (08) 8408 0400.

For information on mains sewer, including inspection and connection, call SA Water on 1300 650 951.

Wastewater System Failures and Repairs
We are all starting to feel the impact of poorly managed septic systems in our growing society. Leaking septic systems can have insidious effects, seeping into and contaminating ground water supplies, and mixing with the water in our favourite swimming holes without us even being aware of it.

There is a growing crisis facing areas where septic systems predominate. Many of these septic systems are leaking, posing health risks to families and communities and to those further downstream. Many of us are simply not aware of the risks, and are not managing these systems safely.

You may have had a septic system for years, or just recently installed one. You may be about to move to the country from the city, or you may be thinking about installing a new septic system. Whatever your situation, you need to know how to manage and operate a septic system safely without causing sewage pollution and risking your family's health or the quality of your local environment.

Click here to download Waste Control Systems Information Sheet

Wastewater System Application Form
For all onsite wastewater system works please click here to access the onsite wastewater system application form. This now covers all options including modifications to existing systems as well as applications for new installations.

Click here for waste water application fees.