Edinburgh Groundwater Prohibition Area (Stages 1 and 2)

Consultation has concluded

Edinburgh airport - photo courtesy Defence Australia

A Groundwater Prohibition Area was established in the stage 1 area on 3 February 2022 from the Edinburgh RAAF Defence Precinct to Port Wakefield Road.

The second stage from the Precinct area to the Barker Inlet was established on 23 February 2023.

The prohibition is required to protect bore users from known per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated groundwater and the future migration of this contamination.

The purpose of a groundwater prohibition area is to protect both current and future landholders from accessing contaminated groundwater via a bore on their property.

Please view the interactive map below as the depth of the prohibition varies depending on the location within the groundwater prohibition area.

All copies of reports, community updates and information are available on this page. If you cannot find what you’re looking for, or if you have any feedback, questions or concerns, please contact us on: Ph: 08 8429 7245 or email

A Groundwater Prohibition Area was established in the stage 1 area on 3 February 2022 from the Edinburgh RAAF Defence Precinct to Port Wakefield Road.

The second stage from the Precinct area to the Barker Inlet was established on 23 February 2023.

The prohibition is required to protect bore users from known per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated groundwater and the future migration of this contamination.

The purpose of a groundwater prohibition area is to protect both current and future landholders from accessing contaminated groundwater via a bore on their property.

Please view the interactive map below as the depth of the prohibition varies depending on the location within the groundwater prohibition area.

All copies of reports, community updates and information are available on this page. If you cannot find what you’re looking for, or if you have any feedback, questions or concerns, please contact us on: Ph: 08 8429 7245 or email

Consultation has concluded

  • Groundwater use to be banned from 3 February 2022

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    The EPA wrote to residents in Edinburgh and surrounding suburbs on 20 January 2022 advising that it will be proceeding with the establishment of a groundwater prohibition area.

    Environmental assessments undertaken by the Commonwealth Department of Defence have determined that groundwater in aquifers 0-60 m below ground level in portions of Edinburgh, Direk, Burton, Salisbury North, Penfield, Paralowie and Waterloo Corner has been contaminated by per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS).

    These chemicals are a potential health risk if people are accessing it over a long period of time. After completing an assessment of all the information the EPA held in this area, a groundwater prohibition area was established in the area shown in this map.

    Notification is scheduled to be published in the South Australian Government Gazette on 3 February 2022, making this the eighth groundwater prohibition area established in South Australia to date.

    Groundwater from aquifers up to 60 m below ground (depending on the location) will be banned under section 103S of the Environment Protection Act 1993.

  • Home grown produce

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    Rainwater and mains water (tap water) are not affected by groundwater contamination. While it is possible for PFAS to accumulate in some plant materials, fruit and vegetables sourced from your backyard are safe to consume, provided you are not watering them with bore water.

  • We value your input!

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    The EPA has established seven groundwater prohibition areas in metropolitan Adelaide.

    Community consultation on the proposed Edinburgh groundwater prohibition area is open until 16 November 2021, and we encourage you to please get in contact with us during this time. We are especially keen to hear from existing bore users, whether your bore is registered or unregistered.

    We are available over the phone and online, and you can reach us during and outside of business hours.

    • Phone: (08) 8429 7245
    • Email
    • On this site: Q&A, 'How you would like to be engaged' poll, and register to stay informed
    • Video conference or in person: please contact us to make arrangements

  • Health impacts

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    Although the understanding of the effects of PFAS in the environment is still emerging, there is limited evidence on the impact of PFAS on human health. As a precaution, SA Health recommends exposure to PFAS to be reduced wherever possible. Please visit the SA Health website for more information.

  • Please do not use your bore water

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    Groundwater (bore water) in the upper 4 Quaternary aquifers is contaminated and should not be used for any purpose. The depth of the known contamination extends from 0–60 m below ground level.

    This prohibition does not extend to Tertiary aquifers deeper than 60 m, such as those used by schools and councils.

    Health problems can occur if people come into contact with the contaminated water over a long period of time. The contamination presents a potential risk to human health if groundwater is utilised for drinking, showering, washing, filling swimming pools, watering lawns or irrigating edible produce.