Groundwater prohibition area established at Royal Park
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has established a groundwater prohibition area (GPA) in parts of Royal Park.
The EPA has completed a 35-day community engagement process. The GPA came into effect when it was gazetted on 7 November 2024 and is the 15th in South Australia.
It follows further assessment of groundwater quality in the area that confirmed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The GPA is adjacent to two other existing GPAs, the West Lakes and Royal Park GPA and the Hendon and surrounding suburbs GPA.
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 has now prohibited the taking of groundwater to a depth of 13.5 metres below the ground.
EPA's Director of Operations Andrew Pruszinski said the purpose of establishing GPAs is to protect current and future landholders from accessing contaminated groundwater.
“Rainwater and mains water are not affected by the groundwater contamination and can be used,” he said.
There are approximately 500 property titles in the GPA, of which 75% are residential properties and parks.
For further information please visit https://engage.epa.sa.gov.au/royal-park-groundwater-prohibition-area
