Groundwater and your health

Groundwater is water that collects or flows under the surface of soil. It fills spaces in soil, sand, clay and rocks. Groundwater quality varies across Victoria. In some areas, groundwater is not suitable for human use.

Drinking untreated groundwater can lead to illness. This includes gastroenteritis, known as 'gastro'.

About groundwater and your health

Although most of Victoria’s drinking water is sourced from surface water such as rivers, streams and reservoirs, some areas rely on groundwater. Even where mains water is available, some people use private wells to access groundwater.

Using untreated groundwater for drinking, irrigation or recreational purposes can be a health risk. EPA recommends groundwater is tested to make sure it is suitable for its intended use.

Water quality risks should be understood before using groundwater, especially for:

drinking
cooking
cleaning teeth
bathing
other personal uses.

EPA recommend that those who want to use groundwater for drinking consider treating it first to protect against potential chemical and microbial contamination. It’s important to re-test groundwater regularly, as its quality can change over time. Mains water is reliable and treated to a level that's safe for human use.

Victoria Unearthed has information about contaminated groundwater locations and quality restrictions.

Where there is known groundwater contamination, EPA can create areas called” Check Your Groundwater” (CYG) areas. We share this information with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to publish on Victoria Unearthed.

When groundwater from a particular location is not listed on Victoria Unearthed, it doesn't mean it's suitable for use. The groundwater may not have been tested.

To find out about accessing water from a residential groundwater bore, contact:

your local water authority
the Department of Health (DH).

Refer to the Department of Health's guidelines on groundwater for more information.

Contact a doctor about any health concerns after accessing or drinking groundwater.

How groundwater can become contaminated

A range of sources can contaminate groundwater, including:

sewage
waste
run-off from farms
stormwater
industrial pollution (contaminants include chemicals such as TCE and PFAS).

Natural rock and soil can also contaminate groundwater. Contaminants may include:

arsenic
sulphates
iron
naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS).

About EPA's role when groundwater is contaminated

EPA identifies potential groundwater contamination through a range of programs, including Victoria’s environmental auditing system.

Contaminated groundwater must be cleaned up or managed. When sites play a part in groundwater contamination, EPA requires site assessment, clean up and management.

It’s not always possible for sites to completely clean up groundwater contamination. In those cases, EPA may:

put in place a “Check Your Groundwater Area” to track the contamination and formally communicate issues with groundwater use
require management of contamination based on the potential risk of harm
stop certain activities that may worsen groundwater contamination