Groundwater Cleanup Project - Community Outreach Projects

What is it?
An important part of the Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project is the sampling of residential bores for the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) associated with Orica's past operations. Orica voluntarily commenced sampling residential bores in October 2003. Orica provides sampling results to the owners of tested bores and NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. A summary of the results is provided to NSW Health and the City of Botany Bay Council, and published in the local newspaper and CLC newsletters.

The sampling is carried out by Orica's environmental consultants, URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS). Testing is usually carried out every six months, around May and November of each year (refer to Year Planner).

What is the bore water tested for?

Bore water samples are analysed for CHCs only. While there may be other contamination present in the bore water, such contamination is not associated with Orica's historic activities at Botany Industrial Park and is not analysed.

Sampling events for 2010 are scheduled for May and November.

If you would like more information call the Community Hotline 1800 025 138.

What does the test result show?
Bore testing results are reported in comparison to the limits set for CHCs in water under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and World Health Organisation standards. A reading above these limits means the detection of CHCs is higher than what is acceptable for drinking water. Readings below these limits means the detection of CHCs is within the range that is acceptable in drinking water. Although bore water is unlikely to be used for drinking, the guideline standards serve as a reference point for residential bore sampling results. They are not, however, an indication of whether the bore water is permitted to be used.

URS also compares the results with values previously considered in Human Health Risk Assessments to evaluate whether the conclusions of the risk assessments remain valid.

Am I eligible to participate?
Residents living within the area known as the Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA), or Zone 1 of Botany groundwater management zones, can request to have their bore tested.

Orica reminds residents that the NSW Office of Water (formerly the Department of Water and Energy) prohibits the user of groundwater for domestic purposes in the GEEA.

What are the conditions?

Requests for residential bore testing are considered on a case-by-case basis with the following principles in mind:

Previous test results in areas of the GEEA:

If previous test events for a residential bore indicate that CHCs are present above the Australian or World Health Organisation Drinking Water Guidelines, testing of the bore can be requested on a six-monthly basis;
If there have been detections of CHCs below guideline values, Orica will test that bore on an annual basis;
If Orica contaminants are consistently not detected, Orica will reconsider the need for on-going testing; and

Residents who have received Orica's Rainwater Tank Rebate:

Bore testing is not automatically available to residents who have accepted Orica's Rainwater Tank Rebate.

Further Information

For further details on the program including summaries on the outcome on human health risk assessments for volatile CHCs contamination in groundwater in residential areas within the GEEA, please view Fact Sheet 21: Residential Bore Monitoring Program (39KB).

Last updated: Tue Apr 20 14:15:42 2010