EPA to test for dangerous chemicals in Thebarton amid groundwater contamination fears

UP to 50 soil vapour bores and 20 groundwater monitoring wells will be established in Adelaide’s inner west in a sweeping probe for dangerous levels of a toxic chemical. Here’s the affected area.

THE Environmental Protection Authority will probe parts of Thebarton for groundwater contamination by the same chemical that caused evacuation of homes in Beverley and Clovelly Park.

The potential contamination is believed to be have been caused by past industrial use of a chemical called trichloroethene (TCE), commonly used in industrial solvents.

TCE was found in dangerous levels at five properties in Beverley last year and in 2015 forced a precautionary evacuation of residents and demolition of 25 homes in Clovelly Park.

The EPA wrote to residents in the affected area on Monday and advised them not to use their bore water for any purpose.

Mains water is not affected – and home-grown fruit and vegetables are safe to eat provided they are not watered with contaminated bore water.

Groundwater in some areas of Thebarton are believed to be affected by past industrial chemical use.

A number of homes and industrial sites will be tested across May and June in an area bounded by Port Rd, Smith St, Dew St and Goodenough St.

The Thebarton Ice Arena and Coca-Cola Amatil factory sites are included in the affected area.

The Thebarton Ice Arena is in the affected area.

EPA director Peter Dolan said past contamination was probably caused by chemical disposal and handling practices considered appropriate at the time, but no longer acceptable by today’s standards.

“It has been long understood that some chemicals such as trichloroethene (TCE) can be transported in groundwater for several kilometres,” he said.

“More recently, it has been found that they can also be located in the air spaces between soil particles as vapour.”

According to the EPA, the tests “will assist to determine if soil vapour and/or groundwater contamination exists in this area”.

The planned testing process will include installation of up to 50 soil vapour bores and 20 groundwater monitoring wells.

Data obtained from the testing will determine the concentrations of TCE in the area and whether further work needs to be done.

The EPA is hosting an information evening on Tuesday, May 23 (6pm - 9pm) at the Hindmarsh Bowling Club, 80 South Rd, Torrensville.