EPA ban over unsafe Adelaide groundwater
The state’s environment watchdog has announced a new ban in Adelaide’s north-west over concerns a toxic chemical exposes residents to health risks.
A groundwater prohibition area (GPA) has been established in parts of Athol Park following a four-week community engagement process after the presence of toxic chemicals was discovered.
The ban was announced in the Government Gazette last Thursday, due to concerns that the contamination could impact human health.
According to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), an assessment of groundwater quality in the area confirmed the presence of the hydrocarbons, particularly trichloroethene (TCE), due to historical activities in the area, including those undertaken within the former Finsbury Factory industrial precinct.
According to SA Health, trichloroethene is a colourless liquid industrial chemical that can damage the central nervous system, kidney, liver, immune system and male reproductive system.
Long-term exposure to elevated TCE air levels may also increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney or liver cancers.
Environment Protection Authority manager of site contamination Wendy Boyce wrote that she was “satisfied that site contamination exists that affects or threatens groundwater and that action is necessary … to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety …”
Boyce prohibited the taking of groundwater in parts of Athol Park “other than for environmental assessment or environmental monitoring purposes or as approved in writing by the Authority”.
She said that “the purpose of establishing GPAs is to protect current and future landholders from contaminated Groundwater”.
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“It means existing groundwater bores can no longer be used, and no future bores can be installed,” she said.
“Rainwater and mains water are not affected and can be used.”
There are about 120 property titles in the GPA and three residential properties with a registered bore.
This GPA is the 18th in South Australia and prohibits the taking of groundwater to a depth of 20 metres below the ground, with a maximum $8,000 fine for non-compliance.
GPAs are established to prohibit the use of groundwater for drinking or other purposes to ensure public safety.
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