West Lakes

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 PFAS and metals. The environmental assessment report (July 2021) provides information about the Stage 1 environmental investigations and results.

Results from the groundwater monitoring network have now been published and the report is available in the Reports section on this page. The results 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.

An environmental assessment is planned for early 2021, and until the contamination is better understood groundwater should not be used for any purpose. Most properties do not have access to groundwater.

At the conclusion of the environmental assessment the EPA is likely to propose that a groundwater prohibition area should be established.

Laboratory testing of fish from West Lakes has confirmed that PFAS are not present at levels that would make fish unfit for human consumption. The EPA also tested for heavy metals in the samples, because of the cadmium found previously in West Lakes soil in some areas. The results confirm that cadmium is also not present at levels that would make fish unfit for human consumption.

Results did however, confirm that lead was found in both fish and crustaceans sampled, above levels that are set by the Foods Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). SA Health has therefore advised that fish fillets from West Lakes are safe to eat, but whole or macerated fish and mussels are not recommended for human consumption. The taking of mussels and all bivalve shellfish is banned in West Lakes under the Fisheries Management Act 2007.

The report is available in the Reports section on this page.

The EPA took water samples from several locations around the lake in late August 2020. Test results have confirmed that the lake is safe for recreational use, with no detectable concentrations of PFAS in the water samples collected from West Lakes at any of the sampling locations. Traces of PFAS were found in stormwater, which feeds into the lake system, but at levels that were well below the national standard.

These results confirm our previous advice that it is safe for swimmers and rowers to use the lake.

The report is available in the Reports section on this page.

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.

There are reports of PFAS accumulating in the eggs of chickens housed at a fire station in Adelaide. While it is possible for PFAS to accumulate in eggs sourced from chickens in your backyard, it is unlikely to be a route of PFAS exposure for residents in the West Lakes region due to implementation of previous mitigation and remediation recommendations used to manage historic cadmium contamination in the region.

If mitigation and remediation measures recommended in 2001 for properties where sewage sludge is known to exist have not been maintained at your property, avoid consumption of the eggs sourced from your backyard until the measures are restored.