Wastewater Management Systems
Wastewater is generated from domestic activities where people live and work and it is important to dispose of it safely. In most cases, this will be through connecting to the SA Water Sewer system. In other circumstance, a wastewater control system may be required.
Wastewater control systems include:
- onsite Wastewater Systems in non-sewered areas
- permanent Greywater Systems in sewered areas
Onsite Wastewater Systems in non-sewered areas
If your property is not able to connect to SA Water’s sewerage system, you may need an onsite wastewater system to collect and manage your wastewater.
They include a septic tank with a soakage trench, aerated wastewater treatment systems and permanent greywater systems.
Before installing or altering any onsite wastewater system, you need to apply to EHA for approval, and contact your council for development requirements.
Alterations and new installations must:
Permanent Greywater Systems in sewered areas
Greywater is generated from bathrooms, laundries and kitchens, and may contain significant levels of organisms that cause disease. Improperly designed, installed, and maintained systems could pose a public health risk and affect the environment.
If you want to install a permanent greywater system, you will need EHA approval, as well as approval from the Office of the Technical Regulator, responsible for plumbing regulation in sewered areas.
Alterations and new installations must:
To find out more about permanent greywater systems and usage, visit the SA Health website.
Temporarily diverting greywater
You are allowed to temporarily use greywater by manually bucketing, or temporarily attaching a hose to your washing machine outlet for your lawn and garden if you follow this advice from SA Health:
- don’t use greywater from washing clothes that have been soiled by faeces or vomit, such as nappies
- don’t use greywater if anybody living in the house has diarrhoea or an infectious disease
- don’t store untreated greywater for more than 24 hours, as bacteria and organic contaminants in greywater will cause it to turn septic and produce strong and offensive odours
- don’t use greywater to irrigate fruit, vegetables or areas where fruit can fall to the ground and be eaten
- avoid splashing greywater
- keep children away from areas watered with greywater until it has soaked into the ground.
For more information, call EHA and on 8132 3600 or email eha@eha.sa.gov.au.
