Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area
The EPA established the Edwardstown and surrounding areas groundwater prohibition area (Edwardstown GPA) in January 2018 to protect people from accessing groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC).
Information collected in September 2023 from the Melrose Park EPA assessment area, adjacent to the Edwardstown GPA, identified the need for further assessment of deeper groundwater to the west of South Road.
In May 2024, the EPA further investigated groundwater in the South-Eastern Edwardstown assessment area, which is a part of the Edwardstown GPA, to understand whether previously identified CHC contamination is also present in groundwater deeper than the existing GPA.
This assessment found that the deeper groundwater is impacted by CHC contamination, with trichloroethene (TCE) detected at concentrations above the drinking water guideline at several monitoring wells.
The EPA is now reviewing the boundaries of the GPA. The GPA will need to be extended and further assessment is required to determine the necessary boundaries. A map of the existing GPA is available here.
Stage 1 assessment of the GPA review will involve installing new groundwater monitoring wells and sampling new and existing wells in the southern portion of the GPA to better understand the extent of the groundwater contamination. This work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2025.
The EPA established the Edwardstown and surrounding areas groundwater prohibition area (Edwardstown GPA) in January 2018 to protect people from accessing groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC).
Information collected in September 2023 from the Melrose Park EPA assessment area, adjacent to the Edwardstown GPA, identified the need for further assessment of deeper groundwater to the west of South Road.
In May 2024, the EPA further investigated groundwater in the South-Eastern Edwardstown assessment area, which is a part of the Edwardstown GPA, to understand whether previously identified CHC contamination is also present in groundwater deeper than the existing GPA.
This assessment found that the deeper groundwater is impacted by CHC contamination, with trichloroethene (TCE) detected at concentrations above the drinking water guideline at several monitoring wells.
The EPA is now reviewing the boundaries of the GPA. The GPA will need to be extended and further assessment is required to determine the necessary boundaries. A map of the existing GPA is available here.
Stage 1 assessment of the GPA review will involve installing new groundwater monitoring wells and sampling new and existing wells in the southern portion of the GPA to better understand the extent of the groundwater contamination. This work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2025.
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area has finished this stage
Community engagement commenced.
September 2017
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area has finished this stage
The EPA held community information sessions.
October 2017
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area has finished this stage
All feedback collected from surveys, feedback forms,
meetings, phone calls, and emails was collated and analysed.
November 2017
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area has finished this stage
The community engagement report was published, summarising the community
engagement process, feedback received, queries, and suggestions.
9 January 2018
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area has finished this stage
Groundwater Prohibition Area established and published in the Government Gazette.
From 9 January 2018
Edwardstown and surrounding areas Groundwater Prohibition Area is currently at this stage
Taking of groundwater from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quaternary aquifers is prohibited within the specified area, as defined in the Gazette notice. A maximum fine of $8,000 may be issued to persons using groundwater at their property.
Videos
Click here to play video
Groundwater Prohibition Area in Edwardstown, South Australia (9 January 2018)
Animation video showing how past industrial wastes affected groundwater in Edwardstown and the demarcation of the groundwater prohibition area. More info - https://engage.epa.sa.gov.au/edwardstown-and-surrounding-areas