Toxic contamination of groundwater: South Australia residents warned

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDFeb 23 2011

Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has announced fears of groundwater contamination beneath up to 2000 homes. The EPA said that industrial activity at the former Hills Industries site in Edwardstown, south of Adelaide, caused dangerous materials - including a chemical known to cause cancer - to seep into the groundwater.

The chemicals include residues of fuels and industrial solvents, including the known carcinogen vinyl chloride and suspected carcinogens. These were detected in groundwater at levels above Australian drinking-water guidelines. Just minutes before the official announcement, South Australian Environment and Conservation Minister Paul Caica told the State Parliament the EPA was first alerted to the potential contamination in August, 2009.

Chief executive of EPA, Helen Fulcher said the authority was taking every step to protect the health of the community. “Contamination investigations of this type are very complex and it may be some time before we know the full extent…We will keep the community informed of the results,” she added.

The EPA has begun writing to more than 2200 residents of South Plympton and Edwardstown, advising them to stop using bore water for any purpose until further notice. The area of concern is bound by Marion Rd, Oval Tce, Nelson St, Railway Tce, Maxwell Ave and Melville St and includes about 30 registered bores. There may be many unregistered bores. Letters were also sent to Marion Council and the Forbes Primary School, which is in the affected zone.

EPA site contamination manager Greg Hill said correct procedures had been followed in releasing the information to the public. He said, “We had no knowledge of impact on domestic users and domestic bores at that stage… You have no idea of the area to notify of the impact, you have no idea that there’s even off-site concerns at that point.” He said the EPA sought to strike a delicate balance between informing the public and sparking undue panic. People’s Environment Protection Alliance spokesman Gary Goland added that it was “negligent” and “putting the public in danger” to keep them in dark. Yesterday, many Edwardstown residents were still unaware of the contamination. Opposition water spokesman Mitch Williams said the delay may have put residents in danger and called on Mr Caica to take responsibility.