Answers to Questions

Oaklands Estate Groundwater Contamination

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (28 February 2017).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): I have sought the advice of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and have been advised that:

The Oaklands Wetland Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) scheme harvests water from the Sturt River which is then treated in the wetland and pumped to the tertiary aquifer, which is almost 100 metres below ground.

Contaminated groundwater is confined to the separate, upper aquifer of less than 25 metres below ground. Results of the groundwater investigations to date do not indicate that the water or aquifer used as part of the MAR scheme is being impacted by the offsite groundwater contamination.

The independent site contamination auditor engaged by Renewal SA, as the site owner of the former Mitsubishi Motors site, is still finalising assessments, however the interim audit advice provided to the EPA indicates that neither the Sturt River nor the wetlands have been impacted by groundwater contamination.