Community Reference Group

The City of Onkaparinga has been considering whether it should be in the business of owning and operating Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS) assets and the Water Business Unit’s stormwater harvesting/alternative water supply scheme.

To assist with answering this question, council has already undertaken two phases of community engagement which in 2022 included an online community survey.

A third phase of engagement is now underway via the establishment of a Water Assets Strategic Review Community Reference Group to deepen consideration of council’s approach to owning and operating water assets and better understand what the community values regarding council’s water assets.

View the Terms of Reference here.

Expressions of interest closed at 5pm on 7 June 2023. Applicants have been notified of the outcome.

Background Information

Following a Registration of Interest process and community consultation in 2018, council has received proposals to reveal whether or not management of our water assets can be improved, either through sale or a different management model under continued council ownership.

The City of Onkaparinga currently owns and operates two licensed water utilities:

• a Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS)
• a Water Business Unit (WBU) that captures and stores recycled and stormwater for resale to local businesses

Most metropolitan councils do not manage wastewater, however in Onkaparinga we currently service several areas that do not have access to SA Water's wastewater network. The CWMS is an essential public and trade waste service provided to around 4500 households and businesses, mainly in the rural or township parts of the city.

We also provide recycled water for the irrigation of public spaces. The WBU assets harvest recycled water and stormwater which can then be pumped to irrigate ovals, parks and open spaces. These assets provide a sustainable alternative to mains water supply.

A significant investment is required to maintain and improve the operation of our stormwater recycling assets, and any future expansion of the network for the CWMS.

Click on the images below to learn more about our water assets: