Kilburn Groundwater Prohibition Area

Consultation concluded on 2 May 2025. The Kilburn GPA was established on 22 May 2025.

The EPA has established a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of Kilburn (please refer to the map).

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.

The need to establish a GPA followed the completion of a site contamination audit, undertaken on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) in relation to the former Islington Railyards site. The audit report concluded that groundwater is contaminated with hexavalent chromium and trichloroethene (TCE) related to historical workshop activities. Based on the information reviewed, the EPA has taken action necessary to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety.

The GPA was established on 22 May 2025 and published in the Government Gazette. The GPA extends to a depth of 30 metres below ground level.

Taking of groundwater is prohibited in the watertable aquifer and any deeper water bearing zones hydraulically connected to the watertable aquifer up to 30 metres below ground surface within the specified area. A maximum fine of $8,000 may be issued to persons using groundwater at their property.

The EPA has established a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of Kilburn (please refer to the map).

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.

The need to establish a GPA followed the completion of a site contamination audit, undertaken on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) in relation to the former Islington Railyards site. The audit report concluded that groundwater is contaminated with hexavalent chromium and trichloroethene (TCE) related to historical workshop activities. Based on the information reviewed, the EPA has taken action necessary to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety.

The GPA was established on 22 May 2025 and published in the Government Gazette. The GPA extends to a depth of 30 metres below ground level.

Taking of groundwater is prohibited in the watertable aquifer and any deeper water bearing zones hydraulically connected to the watertable aquifer up to 30 metres below ground surface within the specified area. A maximum fine of $8,000 may be issued to persons using groundwater at their property.

Consultation concluded on 2 May 2025. The Kilburn GPA was established on 22 May 2025.

  • How will this be communicated to future purchasers?

    After establishment, 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 GPA 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.

    After establishment, 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 GPA 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.

    Consultation concluded on 2 May 2025. The Kilburn GPA was established on 22 May 2025.

  • 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 into the Quaternary aquifers 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 into the Quaternary aquifers in the future.

    Consultation concluded on 2 May 2025. The Kilburn GPA was established on 22 May 2025.

  • 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.


    Consultation concluded on 2 May 2025. The Kilburn GPA was established on 22 May 2025.