QUARRY CONTAMINATION

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (2 July 2013).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation I have received this advice:

Following an investigation of the activities at the Keast Road quarry in 2011, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued the District Council of the Copper Coast with a Clean Up Order to remediate the site, undertake post-excavation soil sampling and assessment, and prepare and submit a report to the EPA.

The remediation of the site, as per the Clean Up Order, is complete. A report submitted to the EPA, prepared by Alano Water (wastewater treatment and management specialists), identified that the sludge disposal pit was unlined and that contamination has passed below the site into underlying soil. The report also suggested that contamination may have passed into the underlying groundwater.

The assessment undertaken by Alano Water could not find any evidence that showed groundwater underlying the site was affected by the sludge disposal. It should be noted that if contaminated water (nutrients and biodegradable organic matter) had passed below the site (either into the ground or underlying groundwater), the pollutants will reduce naturally over time.

Based upon Alano Water's review of the hydrogeological data surrounding the site, the closest known viable water wells are located at least 1.5 km away and the nearest environmental receptor (a salty depression) is located 1 km away. For these reasons, the risk to offsite users and the environment is considered low.

The site will continue to be monitored by the EPA and the information provided for the site placed upon the Public Register under the site contamination provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1993.