Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS)
The Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) is an essential service in the Renmark Paringa Council area, managing the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater for residents and businesses within the townships of Renmark and Paringa.
These systems incorporate each property having a septic tank which discharges wastewater offsite through a CWMS connection.
Wastewater is collected from properties through a network of underground pipes that direct it to one of our treatment plants in Renmark or Paringa. The collected wastewater is treated in accordance with environmental regulations to ensure it meets the required standards before being disposed of or reused through our irrigation network.
Did you know? - 22 hectares of open space is irrigated with treated wastewater each year.
Council’s Role
We are responsible for maintaining a network of Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) assets within the townships of Renmark and Paringa as well as the Calperum Industrial Estate. There is approximately 70km of underground pipe assets, including 14.5km of rising mains, 676 flushing points, 2305 inspection points, 9 maintenance pits, 3 sumps and 33 pumping stations. We also own and maintain two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Renmark and Paringa.
The Renmark WWTP, which was upgraded in 1997 to produce Class B quality treated water, provides treated wastewater to 22 hectares of Council public open space (with SA Health and EPA approvals). This plant has recently undergone a major upgrade to further improve our water quality and renew assets that were at the end of their useful life.
Renmark West Rural Neighbourhood Expansion
The Renmark West Rural Neighbourhood project will expand the Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) into the Renmark West Rural Neighbourhood Zone, providing a modern, environmentally safe wastewater network that allows land to be developed responsibly for housing.
How is the CWMS is funded?
Council charges property owners connected to the CWMS an annual service charge that is separately itemised on their rates notice. All fees collected are re-invested in the system.
If you are unsure if your property is connected to the CWMS, check your rates notice. If there is a CWMS charge, your property is connected.
State legislation allows Council to recover the full cost of operating and maintaining the CWMS from users of the service. The cost of the service is detailed in Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Council has undertaken a review on the charges relating to this service, a copy of this review can be found below.
CWMS Methodology Review - March 2025
How is Council investing in the CWMS Assets
The Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan for the Renmark Paringa Council provides a roadmap for maintaining and improving the infrastructure that supports the CWMS. It outlines the strategies, timelines, and funding required to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of the wastewater management system.
Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan 2027-2036
Does Council maintain my septic tank?
No. The septic tank is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain in good working condition. However, Council does include one scheduled pump out of your septic tank every four years. Any additional pump outs are the responsibility (and cost) of the property owner.
How do I connect to the system?
Properties which fall out of the CWMS area are required to have an onsite wastewater management system. Onsite wastewater management systems can include soakage system, aerated wastewater treatment system and wastewater irrigation.
Wastewater Systems Information
Properties which fall within the CWMS area must connect to the system, this can be completed through an application for CWMS connection by using the Undertaking Works on Council Land form below.
Undertaking Works on Council Land Permit Form
For more information on the CWMS Network, please contact our Customer Service team on 8580 3000.