Glenelg East groundwater consultation
The EPA is currently carrying out community consultation on a proposal to establish a Groundwater Prohibition Area centred on Glenelg East and taking in parts of Glenelg, Glenelg South and Glengowrie.
The consultation is the latest step in managing historic chemical contamination in the area’s groundwater.
The groundwater has tested positive for number of chemicals, including perchloroethene (PCE) and tricholoroethene (TCE) from a dry cleaning business, petroleum hydrocarbons from degraded underground tanks at a service station, and heavy metals and cyanide from a former blacksmith’s forge.
These compounds can cause serious health problems if people are exposed to high enough concentrations over long periods of time.
The EPA has been in contact with the Glenelg East community for some time in relation to the contamination, and had previously asked bore owners not to use their bore water for any purpose.
In April, residents were informed that extensive testing had shown they were not at risk from hydrocarbon vapours inside their homes.
Council and the schools in the area can still use bore water for irrigation, as they access the much deeper Tertiary aquifer, which is not affected by this contamination.
Home-grown produce is also safe to eat, so long as it has not been irrigated with bore water.
In a prohibition area, it is illegal to use groundwater above certain depths for any purpose, and a maximum penalty of $8,000 can apply.
The EPA has previously established prohibition areas in Edwardstown and the surrounding suburbs, and the Allenby Gardens/Flinders Park area.
Glenelg Dry Cleaners Ltd
