Proposed bore water ban for Hendon area
Community consultation is under way on a proposed groundwater prohibition area (GPA) taking in parts of Hendon, Royal Park, Seaton and Albert Park in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
Groundwater in the area is contaminated with a range of hazardous chemicals due to historic industrial activity, and residents have been asked not to use the bore water for any purpose.
Western Adelaide has a long history of industry, and chemical disposal and containment in the past did not meet current standards.
The Hendon Industrial Estate is the primary source of contamination, but there are at least 14 contaminated sites in this area.
Testing has found a number of chemicals of concern in the groundwater, including volatile petroleum and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethene (TCE), dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC).
Chlorinated hydrocarbons are of particular concern because they are known to be carcinogenic if people come into contact with them over a long period.
They also remain in the environment for many years because they are notoriously difficult to remove once an aquifer is contaminated.
The main way people come into contact with these chemicals is by using groundwater, either to irrigate gardens and lawns, or for drinking, showering or filling swimming pools.
Mains water is not affected by the contamination, and home-grown produce is safe to eat so long as it had not been irrigated with bore water.
Several groundwater protection areas have been declared around the Adelaide metropolitan area, including the areas surrounding Edwardstown, Allenby Gardens and Glenelg East.
For more information, visit https://engage.sa.gov.au
