Groundwater quality in Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach

Groundwater monitoring surveys were completed in parts of Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach. Test results show elevated levels of some contaminants.

Groundwater is the water that collects or flows beneath the soil surface. You access groundwater through a bore. While EPA investigates, we advise residents with groundwater bores to avoid contact with the bore water. If you don't use groundwater on your property you won't be in contact with the contaminated water.

All residential and business premises in this area are connected to the mains water supply, and do not rely on bore water as their only water supply. The mains water supply hasn't been affected, and is safe to drink.

We have contacted residents in the affected areas of Edithvale, Bonbeach and Chelsea. We have tested several residential bores in the area, and provided the results and advice to the bores' owners.

EPA's role

EPA’s role is to reduce harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste.

We are investigating the potential sources of groundwater contamination in the area.

We have issued a clean up notice to CFA, which is still in place. The notice requires CFA to continue sampling and investigating PFAS at the Edithvale CFA fire station, in Station Street Edithvale.

We have contacted people living near the Edithvale CFA fire station about the PFAS issues at the station.

There are low background levels of PFAS in the environment across Victoria. Sites where people have used firefighting foams in the past may have higher levels of PFAS.

As our investigations continue, we will keep the community informed and work with:

How to contact EPA

For more information, or to have your residential bore tested, contact EPA.

1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) – we’re here 24 hours

contact@epa.vic.gov.au

Environmental monitoring

The groundwater monitoring found contaminants including:

low levels of PFAS
heavy metals including arsenic, nickel, lead and selenium
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are chemicals that are formed from the incomplete burning of coal, oil and other organic material.

The levels of these contaminants in the groundwater make it unsuitable to drink.

EPA is investigating the groundwater contamination. We have contacted residents in the affected areas of Edithvale, Bonbeach and Chelsea. We have tested several residential bores in the area, and provided the results and advice to the bores' owners.

If you have a groundwater bore and have not had it tested yet, we recommend you:

Stop using it for drinking, irrigation or recreational use. For example, filling a swimming pool.
Stop using bore water to water vegetable gardens.
Contact us for specific advice if you are using a groundwater bore for other purposes.

For information about having your bore tested, please contact us on 1300 372 842.

If you don't have a bore, you won't come into contact with the groundwater.