Playford Council investigating project with SA Water to install sewerage on Virginia’s main street
Sewerage could be included in a multimillion-dollar upgrade of Virginia’s main street under a project being investigated by Playford Council and SA Water.
North & North East
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Mains sewerage could be delivered to the rapidly growing township of Virginia as part of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of its main street.
Playford Council and SA Water are investigating how to include sewerage while undergrounding powerlines and installing new stormwater drainage, footpaths and kerbing.
Funding for the system is yet to be determined, with one option being the council paying for the project and then claiming the cost back from SA Water.
The potential inclusion of sewerage arose last year, when Playford Council was told by businesses in Virginia that the use of septic tanks was holding back the township’s development.
The council has been undertaking community consultation as part of its planning for an upgrade of Viriginia’s main street.
Funding for the project remains uncertain, however, with the council unable to secure government grants.
In a report to elected members, staff have recommended they support a proposal to install mains sewerage within the project to avoid future disruption to businesses and residents.
Businesses and houses within Virginia currently rely on septic tanks, with residential waste being transported by tankers to the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant while commercial waste is stored in holding ponds on the main street.
Virginia is experiencing rapid residential expansion on existing streets and within the Virginia Grove estate on its western boundary, the second stage of which is now well-advanced.
SA Water has prepared preliminary plans to install a mains sewerage junction on council-owned land with a pump station.
A main trunk pipe would run down the town’s main street, with branches into adjoining streets to be added in the future.
In their report, staff said while installing mains sewerage had not been included in the original plans to upgrade the town’s main street, it should be considered.
The staff report said it would make more sense to install the sewerage when road verges were being dug up to remove Stobie poles and underground power lines.
“Whilst not originally part of the project scope of works, council’s administration has undertaken advocacy efforts with SA Water to bring forward the installation of sewer infrastructure to align with council’s upgrade works, help minimise the impact of construction activities on the community and facilitate economic development,” it said.
“As key infrastructure, the works need to occur and it makes sense to incorporate them with the main street upgrade works if possible.”
The estimated cost of installing the sewerage pipeline along Virginia’s main street was $500,000.
Councillors have voted to support including the project in the main street upgrade.