More homes facing bore risk An industrial chemical has been identified in groundwater in Adelaide's southern suburbs. The Health Department says trichloroethylene, or TCE, has been found during water testing at Clovelly Park.

It is used as a metal cleaner and degreaser. Clovelly Park residents are being urged to avoid using bore water until more testing has been done. The Department says there more than 300 houses in the contamination zone.

Paddy Phillips, from SA Health, says warning letters have been sent to residents. "The levels are higher than the accepted levels in drinking water but they're not high enough to cause acute toxicity," he said. "It's long-term exposure that we're worried about.

"We're being, playing on the safe side and letting people know that, unless they've had their bore water tested and know that it's safe, they shouldn't use it for drinking, washing or irrigation - and of course tap water is fine."

Last year, bore water in Beverley and Woodville South in Adelaide's western suburbs was found to be contaminated with the same chemical. The Health Department warned residents that prolonged exposure could lead to kidney failure or some cancers.

(ABC, 28/11/2008)