Bore water ban proposed
A groundwater prohibition area has been proposed in Adelaide’s west.
The proposed GPA covers parts of Thebarton, and is bounded by South and Port roads to the west and east, and the River Torrens to the north, with the southern border beginning at Rose Street and ending at Livingstone Street.
The area’s groundwater had been contaminated by a number of hazardous chemicals associated with manufacturing and industry, including chlorinated and petroleum hydrocarbons such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), and nitrates.
The EPA has been undertaking environmental assessment work related to a former metal processing site on George Street, Thebarton, since 2017, and it is this contamination that has resulted in the move towards a GPA.
PCE and TCE can cause serious health problems – including cancer – if people come into contact with them over long periods of time, and the bore water ban is designed to remove the major pathway for exposure.
TCE and PCE remain in the environment for a long time and are notoriously difficult to remove from groundwater once an aquifer is contaminated, meaning these chemicals could still be there in hundreds of years.
Western Adelaide has a long history of manufacturing and industry, and there are several other sources of contamination as well as the George Street metal works.
Groundwater testing undertaken by a third party at 25 West Thebarton Road found heavy metals, including a small amount of uranium relating to testing of mining samples.
Radiation levels at the site are not of concern, being indistinguishable from background levels on most of the property.
Mains water and the deeper tertiary aquifer accessed by West End Brewing, including the community water fountain on Port Road, are not affected by the contamination.
Home-grown produce is also safe so long as it has not been irrigated with bore water.
Community information sessions will be held later this month. For more information, visit www.engage.epa.sa.gov.au.