The Water Retail Code (escosa.sa.gov.au) for Minor and Intermediate Retailers developed by ESCOSA is the principal consumer protection document setting out the behavioural standards and minimum requirements to be complied with by minor and intermediate water retailers when dealing with their customers.
One requirement of the Water Retail Code for Minor and Intermediate Retailers is for the City of Onkaparinga to develop a charter to provide water retail customers with a clear understanding of the standards of service they can expect from us and their rights and responsibilities.
The Water Industry is governed by multiple national, state and local government authorities
- ESCOSA are responsible for the economic regulation of water and sewerage services in South Australia. Their role includes industry licensing, consumer protection and retail pricing. Further information about the regulations are available here.
- The Water Industry Regulations 2012 define licensing, technical and safety requirements for water industry entities. The regulations also address the protection and use of water and sewerage infrastructure and equipment, and water conservation measures.
- South Australian Community Wastewater Management Systems and Regulations are governed via the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 and the regulations made under that Act dealing with wastewater. Further information at Community Wastewater Management Systems Code.
- The City of Onkaparinga calculates and charges CWMS connection fees in accordance with CWMS Property Units Code LGA - 2006.
See the Customer Charter document(PDF, 618KB)
See the Complaints and Resolutions Procedure(PDF, 317KB)
For more information in relation to wastewater services please contact CWMS@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Operating the CWMS involves a lot more than simply pumping out septic tanks. Septic tanks are only one part of the entire system, which also includes 145km of sewer pipelines, 16 wastewater pump stations, and two wastewater treatment plants.
Maintaining this $37 million system involves ongoing capital upgrades, preventive maintenance works, 24-7 emergency response, and day-to-day operational matters, including:
- specialist engineering (e.g. hydraulics)
- development control
- water systems design
- regulatory compliance
- risk management
- public and environmental safety
- service continuity
- work, health and safety matters.
Under the provisions of the Water Industry Act 2012, the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) is responsible for the economic regulation of sewerage services (including CWMS).
ESCOSA requires water retailers, in this case the City of Onkaparinga, to comply with established National Water Initiative Pricing Principles.
These principles are based on a full cost recovery framework which includes a return on asset (ROA) component, and allowance for risk component.