Why is bore water being prohibited?

Groundwater is water that is present underground within rocks or sediments and can be accessed by a bore. Groundwater (bore water) in the Quaternary aquifers in the proposed Melrose Park GPA is known to be contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Melrose Park has a commercial, industrial and manufacturing history, and past chemical disposal and handling practices undertaken prior to knowledge on the impact of these practices have resulted in contamination of the groundwater in the area.

If contaminated groundwater is a risk to human health, the EPA has the ability, under the Environment Protection Act 1993, to establish a groundwater prohibition area (GPA).

To date, 11 groundwater prohibition areas have been established across metropolitan Adelaide.