Groundwater prohibition area established at Melrose Park
The EPA will establish a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of Melrose Park.
The EPA has completed a 45-day community engagement process and considered all submissions.
The GPA will come into effect when it is gazetted on 21 December 2023 and will be the 13th in South Australia.
It follows assessment of groundwater quality in the area showing it has been contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
If groundwater is affected or threatened by site contamination and action is needed to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety as a result of the taking of that water, the EPA has the ability under the Environment Protection Act 1993 to establish a GPA.
The EPA is proposing to prohibit the taking of groundwater from the quaternary aquifers to a depth of 49 metres below the ground.
EPA Director of Policy, Assessment and Finance Kathryn Bellette said rainwater and mains water are not affected by the groundwater contamination and can be used. The prohibition covers the entire area of known contamination and a buffer zone.
There are approximately 250 property titles in the GPA, of which 25 per cent are residential.
