What is the risk to residents

Poor quality and polluted groundwater can seriously threaten the health and viability of communities, agricultural operations and the environment. The EPA advises that the groundwater in this area is contaminated and should not be used for any purpose. Coming into contact with it can pose a serious risk to human health.

This is especially the case if you ingest by drinking, water your fruit and vegetables, wash your food or cook with it (even when boiled). When used to water the garden or lawns, fill a pool or top up a rainwater tank, polluted groundwater creates the opportunity for dermal exposure to the chemicals of concern with absorption through the skin.

Contaminated groundwater from bores should also never be used to wash down paths or driveway, or even as grey water for toilet flushing. Preventing the extraction of contaminated groundwater is necessary to protect human health and prevent the spread of contamination.