Asset Management Plan: Community Wastewater Management Systems 2023 - 2032

April 2022 Update

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on this consultation - CWMS Asset Management Plan is now finalised and available to view on our Council website here. We have also summarised the community feedback we received and you can take a look at the Community Consultation Outcomes Report.

Did you know Adelaide Hills Council operates Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS), which support wastewater management for approximately 1,850 customers in the townships of Birdwood, Charleston, Kersbrook, Mount Torrens, Stirling (Golf Links Road area only), Verdun and Woodside?

A CWMS is:

designed to collect, treat, re-use and/or dispose of primary treated effluent originating from septic tanks on individual properties.
the collection system comprised of a network of pipes and pumping stations, which transport the effluent from the septic tanks to the treatment site.
a highly technical and regulated system and Council has complied with an array of standards to be able to provide this continuous service to its communities who then pay for the service.

How does Council provide CWMS?

Adelaide Hills Council has been providing CWMS service and meeting its technical and regulatory requirements for many years.

The Adelaide Hills Council owns two treatment sites located in Birdwood and Kersbrook.

The Kersbrook site services a relatively small number of properties and operates primarily as an oxidation lagoon system where effluent is stored and treated by aerobic action. The Birdwood treatment site accepts a greater amount of effluent from both the Birdwood and Mt Torrens townships and requires the addition of mechanical aeration to speed up the treatment process. All other effluent received by CWMS is treated at SA Water owned sites located at Bird in Hand and Heathfield.

All the effluent collected at Kersbrook and Birdwood is treated to an acceptable standard and reused via approved recycled wastewater irrigation to local community ovals and vineyards for frost prevention.

What's in the Draft Asset Management Plan CWMS?

The Draft Asset Management Plan - Community Wastewater Management Systems CWMS 2023 - 2032 provides information about Community Wastewater Management Systems supporting the townships as mentioned above.

The Plan also provides details on actions required to provide an agreed level of service in the most cost-effective manner while outlining associated risks.

The plan defines:

the services to be provided
how the services are provided, and
what funds are required to provide these services over the next 10-year planning period.

The Plan will link to Council's Long-Term Financial Plan, which typically considers a 10-year planning period. The allocation in the planned budget is sufficient to continue providing existing services at current levels for the 10-year planning period.

We have identified there is no need for an increase in service over the next 10-year period and customers reliant on the CWMS can expect to receive the same service as they are now. The Asset Management Plan CWMS will ensure Council continues to meet these requirements for the next 10-years, in the most cost-effective manner.

Please note that this consultation does not capture individually owned septic systems on private properties and for those who may need to report an issue with a septic system on a private property, please feel welcome to report it via our customer service number 8408 0400 or report an issue online here.

Additional information can be found in the Draft Asset Management Plan - Community Wastewater Management Systems CWMS 2023 - 2032 or on our website here.

How you can provide feedback

You can share your thoughts and feedback on the Asset Management Plan CWMS by:

Preferably using the quick poll and/or feedback form below
Sending an email to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
Writing a letter to Community Engagement Coordinator PO Box 44, Woodside SA 5244
Collecting a hardcopy information sheet and feedback form from any Council Service Centre or Library at Stirling, Gumeracha or Woodside. Or request from our mobile library service.

If you would prefer to discuss your CWMS and/or the draft Asset Management Plan CWMS, please feel welcome to arrange a time for our project team to be in touch with you by emailing David Collins dacollins@ahc.sa.gov.au

Consultation closes 4pm, Tuesday 6 December 2022.