West Lakes facts
Two Charles Sturt wards
The suburb is split between the City of Charles Sturt's Semaphore Park Ward, which also takes in West Lakes Shore, and its Grange Ward.
Houses and townhouses
At the 2021 Census, 57.9% of occupied homes were separate houses, 32.5% semis, terraces or townhouses and 9.4% flats or apartments.
Owners, mostly
50.9% of homes were owned outright, against 32.8% statewide, and 15.8% were rented. The median age was 54.
Inspection openings and paving
South Australia's plumbing code says inspection openings that don't have to be raised to the surface must not end up under paving, concrete or similar finishes. If yours has been paved over anyway, the plumber will have to lift pavers to get in.
The code also lets the network utility's inspection point sit inside your boundary. SA Water's rule on where its part ends wouldn't load for us, so ask SA Water. For a blocked drain, see blocked drains in Adelaide.
Clay pipes under the house
Under the same code, vitrified clay pipes can't be used for drains under a building unless they've been renovated with cured in-place pipe lining. If a camera finds a cracked clay drain under the slab, ask about pipe relining before anyone breaks up a floor.
Stormwater is a separate system
The EPA says roof downpipes and outdoor drains connect to stormwater, which generally flows untreated into natural waterways, and that polluting it is prohibited. Hose paint, oil and detergent away from yard drains.
We couldn't read the City of Charles Sturt's stormwater pages, so ask Council about a street pit or drain.
Replacing hot water
In South Australia, a new tempering valve is needed on a replacement water heater only if the old one had one, though every solar installation needs one. You should get an electronic certificate of compliance within 7 days. Start with hot water replacement in Adelaide.
What we would do
Find your sewer inspection opening before you need it. If it's under the courtyard paving, plan to have it raised or uncovered so a blockage can be cleared without lifting half the yard. For drains under the house, insist on a camera inspection first, and keep the compliance certificate when the job is done.