Athol Park Groundwater Prohibition Area

The EPA proposes to establish a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in a section of Athol Park (please refer to the map below).

Groundwater is water that is present underground within rocks or sediments and can be accessed by a bore with an outdoor pump. Most properties do not have access to groundwater or use it for drinking or household purposes.

The need to establish a GPA follows the review of recent environmental assessment undertaken on behalf of the EPA, which commenced in May 2025. The findings of the assessment indicate that groundwater is contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons, mainly trichloroethene (TCE). Based on the information reviewed, the EPA is taking action necessary to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety.

The EPA proposes to gazette the groundwater prohibition on 15 October 2026. Once established, the taking of groundwater in the area to a depth of 20 metres below ground level will be prohibited. After this date a maximum fine of $8,000 may be issued to persons using bore water at their property.

We invite you to provide feedback about this proposal by 2 October 2026, and we encourage groundwater users in the area to contact us for further information.

E: yourepa@sa.gov.au
P: (08) 8429 7554

The EPA’s priority is to protect public health and safety through the establishment of a GPA. We will proceed to gazette the Athol Park GPA on 15 October 2026 if no new information relevant to the proposed boundary is received.

The EPA proposes to establish a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in a section of Athol Park (please refer to the map below).

Groundwater is water that is present underground within rocks or sediments and can be accessed by a bore with an outdoor pump. Most properties do not have access to groundwater or use it for drinking or household purposes.

The need to establish a GPA follows the review of recent environmental assessment undertaken on behalf of the EPA, which commenced in May 2025. The findings of the assessment indicate that groundwater is contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons, mainly trichloroethene (TCE). Based on the information reviewed, the EPA is taking action necessary to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety.

The EPA proposes to gazette the groundwater prohibition on 15 October 2026. Once established, the taking of groundwater in the area to a depth of 20 metres below ground level will be prohibited. After this date a maximum fine of $8,000 may be issued to persons using bore water at their property.

We invite you to provide feedback about this proposal by 2 October 2026, and we encourage groundwater users in the area to contact us for further information.

E: yourepa@sa.gov.au
P: (08) 8429 7554

The EPA’s priority is to protect public health and safety through the establishment of a GPA. We will proceed to gazette the Athol Park GPA on 15 October 2026 if no new information relevant to the proposed boundary is received.

  • Map

  • How will the GPA be communicated to future purchasers?

    Under the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 and its associated regulations, the EPA is required to provide details about information it holds when land is being sold. Relevant details are included in the Form 1 statement provided to potential buyers. This supports a transparent approach to sharing important environmental information and helps buyers to make informed decisions.

    After a GPA is established, potential buyers of properties within the area are made aware of the groundwater prohibition via the Form 1 statement provided when a property is being sold. This informs them that existing groundwater bores are no longer able to be used and no future bores can be installed at the property.

    Where the EPA has also undertaken an environmental assessment, the associated reports are recorded in the EPA Public Register. Potential buyers are informed of the environmental assessment and associated reports in the Form 1 statement.

    Under the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 and its associated regulations, the EPA is required to provide details about information it holds when land is being sold. Relevant details are included in the Form 1 statement provided to potential buyers. This supports a transparent approach to sharing important environmental information and helps buyers to make informed decisions.

    After a GPA is established, potential buyers of properties within the area are made aware of the groundwater prohibition via the Form 1 statement provided when a property is being sold. This informs them that existing groundwater bores are no longer able to be used and no future bores can be installed at the property.

    Where the EPA has also undertaken an environmental assessment, the associated reports are recorded in the EPA Public Register. Potential buyers are informed of the environmental assessment and associated reports in the Form 1 statement.

  • What is the risk to residents?

    For site contamination to become an issue, there needs to be a source (contaminated groundwater), a pathway (extracting that water from a bore), and a receptor (a person coming into contact with that water).

    Using contaminated groundwater for drinking, showering, washing, filling swimming pools, watering lawns or irrigating produce over a long period of time is considered a health risk.

    Prohibiting groundwater use removes the exposure pathway and protects public health. It prevents the spread of the contamination by preventing the use of existing bores, and also prevents the installation of new bores in the future.


    For site contamination to become an issue, there needs to be a source (contaminated groundwater), a pathway (extracting that water from a bore), and a receptor (a person coming into contact with that water).

    Using contaminated groundwater for drinking, showering, washing, filling swimming pools, watering lawns or irrigating produce over a long period of time is considered a health risk.

    Prohibiting groundwater use removes the exposure pathway and protects public health. It prevents the spread of the contamination by preventing the use of existing bores, and also prevents the installation of new bores in the future.


  • Are my fruit and vegetables safe?

    Rainwater and mains water (tap water provided by SA Water) are not affected by the groundwater contamination and can be used.

    Home-grown fruit and vegetables are safe to consume if they are not watered with groundwater.

    Rainwater and mains water (tap water provided by SA Water) are not affected by the groundwater contamination and can be used.

    Home-grown fruit and vegetables are safe to consume if they are not watered with groundwater.

Page published: 03 Sep 2026, 08:18 AM