Vacuum Sewer Systems

A reticulated Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) provides for the collection and carriage of septic tank effluent or sewerage by either gravity flow or by pumping (either positive, or negative pressure (vacuum)) to a treatment facility that is owned, operated and maintained by the local Council, or another agency.

A vacuum sewer system is an alternative method of sewage collection to the principally installed gravity sewer system. Connecting to a vacuum sewer system on your property, or to service your property, is subject to approval by Alexandrina Council.

The developer is required to provide sufficient detailed  information, plans and possibly a development application to enable a proper assessment to be undertaken.

If approved, the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) Vacuum Sewerage Code of Australia (WSA 06-2008) is used as the basis for design and construction of a vacuum sewer system.

The WSA 06-2008 Code together with relevant Codes, Council Standards, Typical Drawings, Authorised Products, Materials & Suppliers documents and other information cover the more detailed requirements and provide ‘deemed to comply’ solutions.

Reference Documents

The following Codes & Criteria also apply to any CWMS design undertaken;

• Alexandrina Wastewater - Typical Drawings
• WSA 01 – Polyethylene Pipeline Code of Australia
• WSA 02 – Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 04 – Sewerage Pumping Station Code of Australia
• WSA 06 – Vacuum Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 07 – Pressure Sewerage Code of Australia
• WSA 302 – SCADA Guidelines
• Community Wastewater Management Systems Code, April 2013 (SA Health)
• Code for Establishing & Applying Property Units as a Factor for the Imposition of Annual Service Charge for Community Wastewater Management Systems, 20 April 2006
• South Australian Community Wastewater Management (CWMS) Design Criteria, July 2019
• SA Water – Authorised Products TS 0506 Vacuum Sewer Systems, Revision 1.0, 8 April 2016 or later approved document; with exception to a small number of items documented

For more information in relation to Wastewater Services or Stormwater Reuse, please contact cwms@alexandrina.sa.gov.au