The EPA is encouraging property owners of residential groundwater bores to have this source of water tested for contaminants before it is used.
The precautionary measure aims to eliminate any uncertainty of the quality of groundwater from bores that can vary across Adelaide’s suburbs.
Operations Director Science, Assessment and Planning, Peter Dolan, said as a consequence of environmental audits which have been undertaken in recent years, residents in some urban areas are now more aware of legacy industrial site contamination.
“Residents in areas such as Clovelly Park, Edwardstown, Beverly, Hendon and Glenelg East have previously been advised through letters and face-to-face meetings with the EPA not to use their groundwater,” Mr Dolan said.
Household groundwater bores are commonly drilled to shallow depths, where contamination is more likely to occur and as a precaution residents who use borewater, are being advised to have it tested.
The EPA will conduct a campaign over summer to encourage people not to use groundwater unless it has been tested.
“Groundwater can have chemical contaminants from past industrial and agricultural activities,” Mr Dolan said.
“Anyone in the Adelaide metropolitan area who uses groundwater for drinking, cooking, bathing, topping up a rainwater tank, watering the garden or filling up a swimming pool, should be aware of the water quality.”
The EPA can offer advice to property owners who have responsibility for testing bore water to determine its quality and potential health risk.
More information on groundwater testing or call EPA on (08) 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 (for country callers).