West Lakes and Royal Park groundwater prohibition area

Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.

The EPA has established a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of West Lakes and Royal Park (please refer to the map).

Groundwater is water that is present underground within rocks or sediments and can be accessed by a bore. Most properties do not have access to groundwater.

The EPA undertook an environmental assessment in West Lakes and Royal Park which confirmed the presence of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metals in groundwater above relevant guidelines.

The GPA was established on 14 December 2023 and published in the Government Gazette. The GPA extends to a depth of 13 metres below ground level.

Taking of groundwater is prohibited in the Quaternary sediments (comprising the Saint Kilda Formation and Pooraka Formation), up to 13 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 West Lakes and Royal Park (please refer to the map).

Groundwater is water that is present underground within rocks or sediments and can be accessed by a bore. Most properties do not have access to groundwater.

The GPA was established on 14 December 2023 and published in the Government Gazette. The GPA extends to a depth of 13 metres below ground level.

Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.

Establishing a groundwater prohibition area

The EPA will be establishing a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of West Lakes and Royal Park and would like to hear from residents and groundwater users in the area.
This follows the assessment of groundwater quality in the area and recommendations contained in site contamination audit reports.
If groundwater is affected or threatened by site contamination and action is needed to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety as a result of the taking of that water, the EPA has the ability under the Environment Protection Act 1993 to establish a GPA.
The EPA is prohibiting the taking of groundwater from the upper Quaternary aquifers 0−13 metres below the ground level.
Further information can be found in the determination report in the document library.
The EPA will be establishing a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of West Lakes and Royal Park and would like to hear from residents and groundwater users in the area.
This follows the assessment of groundwater quality in the area and recommendations contained in site contamination audit reports.
If groundwater is affected or threatened by site contamination and action is needed to prevent actual or potential harm to human health or safety as a result of the taking of that water, the EPA has the ability under the Environment Protection Act 1993 to establish a GPA.
The EPA is prohibiting the taking of groundwater from the upper Quaternary aquifers 0−13 metres below the ground level.
Further information can be found in the determination report in the document library.
Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.
Bore water

In 2000, the Department of Human Services issued a public warning regarding the use of groundwater (bore water) in the West Lakes area. Residents in the West Lakes development area were advised that bore water should not be used for the growing of fruit or vegetables until further notice.
The EPA now advises residents that bore water in this area may be contaminated with PFAS and should continue to not be used for any purpose. Rainwater and mains water (tap water) are not affected.
In 2000, the Department of Human Services issued a public warning regarding the use of groundwater (bore water) in the West Lakes area. Residents in the West Lakes development area were advised that bore water should not be used for the growing of fruit or vegetables until further notice.
The EPA now advises residents that bore water in this area may be contaminated with PFAS and should continue to not be used for any purpose. Rainwater and mains water (tap water) are not affected.
Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.
Groundwater contamination - EPA assessment area

Results from the groundwater monitoring network have now been published and the report is available from the document library on this site. They show that groundwater (bore water) in parts of the EPA assessment area is contaminated with PFAS, arsenic and copper, and should not be used for any purpose. The EPA is planning to undertake additional assessment to further understand the extent of this contamination.
Further assessment is planned in 2021 and until the contamination is better understood it should not be used for any purpose. Not all properties have access to bore water. If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss.
This work is scheduled to take place in early 2021, and the EPA will write to residents again with further information. If you have any queries about the assessments at all, please do not hesitate to let us know.
At the conclusion of the groundwater assessment the EPA is likely to propose that a groundwater prohibition area should be established.

Results from the groundwater monitoring network have now been published and the report is available from the document library on this site. They show that groundwater (bore water) in parts of the EPA assessment area is contaminated with PFAS, arsenic and copper, and should not be used for any purpose. The EPA is planning to undertake additional assessment to further understand the extent of this contamination.
Further assessment is planned in 2021 and until the contamination is better understood it should not be used for any purpose. Not all properties have access to bore water. If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss.
This work is scheduled to take place in early 2021, and the EPA will write to residents again with further information. If you have any queries about the assessments at all, please do not hesitate to let us know.
At the conclusion of the groundwater assessment the EPA is likely to propose that a groundwater prohibition area should be established.

Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.
Latest groundwater work results

Based on the results of the November 2020 groundwater study, further work was required to determine how far the contamination extended in the West Lakes assessment area. This involved installing and sampling a groundwater monitoring well network.
Results once again confirmed that shallow groundwater is contaminated with poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metals. The latest groundwater report can be found in the document library.
The next step is for the EPA to compile a determination report ahead of undertaking community consultation on the establishment of a groundwater prohibition area.
Based on the results of the November 2020 groundwater study, further work was required to determine how far the contamination extended in the West Lakes assessment area. This involved installing and sampling a groundwater monitoring well network.
Results once again confirmed that shallow groundwater is contaminated with poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metals. The latest groundwater report can be found in the document library.
The next step is for the EPA to compile a determination report ahead of undertaking community consultation on the establishment of a groundwater prohibition area.
Consultation concluded on 6 November 2023. The West Lakes and Royal Park GPA was established on 14 December 2023.