Elizabeth South Groundwater Prohibition Area

Consultation has concluded

A Groundwater Prohibition Area will be established in portions of Elizabeth South, Edinburgh, Edinburgh North and Salisbury North, where the groundwater has been contaminated with chemicals from historical commercial, industrial and manufacturing activities.

Historical chemical disposal and handling practices by these industries that were considered appropriate at the time, are no longer acceptable. Chemicals that leaked or spilled, or were tipped out onto the ground, have since moved down through the soil and contaminated the groundwater.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded consultation on the proposal to establish a groundwater prohibition area, which prohibits the taking of groundwater (bore water) due to the contamination.

The EPA will prohibit the taking of groundwater from the three upper Quaternary aquifers (Q1, Q2 and Q3) which extend from 0−35 metres below ground level.

A notice establishing this GPA is scheduled to be published in the South Australian Government Gazette on 10 August 2023.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

A Groundwater Prohibition Area will be established in portions of Elizabeth South, Edinburgh, Edinburgh North and Salisbury North, where the groundwater has been contaminated with chemicals from historical commercial, industrial and manufacturing activities.

Historical chemical disposal and handling practices by these industries that were considered appropriate at the time, are no longer acceptable. Chemicals that leaked or spilled, or were tipped out onto the ground, have since moved down through the soil and contaminated the groundwater.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded consultation on the proposal to establish a groundwater prohibition area, which prohibits the taking of groundwater (bore water) due to the contamination.

The EPA will prohibit the taking of groundwater from the three upper Quaternary aquifers (Q1, Q2 and Q3) which extend from 0−35 metres below ground level.

A notice establishing this GPA is scheduled to be published in the South Australian Government Gazette on 10 August 2023.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Consultation has concluded

  • Can I still eat my home-grown fruit and vegetables?

    supporting image

    Rain and mains water (tap water) are not affected by groundwater contamination.

    Home-grown fruit and vegetables are safe to consume, provided you are not watering them with bore water.

  • What happens if I sell my property?

    supporting image

    Future purchasers of properties within this area will be made aware of the groundwater prohibition via the Form 1 statement provided to prospective buyers at the time of sale.

    This informs future purchasers that existing groundwater bores are no longer able to be used and no future bores can be installed at the property.

    The Form 1 statement is required to be provided by a vendor (the seller of the property), usually through the real estate agent or conveyancer to a prospective buyer, under Section 7 of the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994.

    As a report outlining the need for this prohibition has been prepared, a YES response will also be generated for question 4(c) of the Particulars relating to environment protection in the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Regulations 2010.

    This informs future purchasers of the land that a copy of the Groundwater Prohibition Area determination report is available to them from the EPA Public Register.

    This is in addition to any other EPA interests that have previously been flagged for the title, should they exist.