As the Friends of Port River promote the concept of a Swimming Facility at Cruickshank’s Corner, community members ask about water quality and possible contaminants.
In response, the testing of water quality and sediments was tackled in the Stage 2 Feasibility Study for the swimming facility.
Water quality:
In a December 2024 meeting with the EPA and SA Health, FPR was advised that water quality was considered suitable for swimming, with tests undertaken in 2017-2018 backing up that assessment.
However FPR was keen to provide the community with more recent tests and contracted the Australian Water Quality Centre to advise on the tests and conduct the analysis. To minimise costs, FPR took the water samples, with six sets of tests undertaken, at fortnightly intervals, between January and March 2025.
The results showed that water quality continued to be suitable for swimming, with some measures similar and seven improved.
Senversa (environmental consultants) were asked to assess the 2025 test results and concluded that ‘based on the results of the laboratory testing program undertaken, at the time the sampling the water quality at Cruickshank’s Corner does not pose a risk to human health during wading or swimming activities.’ Senversa’s report became Appendix 1 of the Stage 2 Feasibility Study.
Sediments:
FPR also engaged Senversa to undertake sediment tests at Cruickshank’s Corner. Since any sediment contamination is site specific, and a considerable area of Cruickshank’s Corner was removed to create a boat turning circle in the 1960s, it seemed possible that contaminants would not be found.
Testing was undertaken at a very low tide on January 30th, 2025 at 6 bore holes (shown below).
Sediments were assessed using the same tests as the EPA (at other sites) plus an additional 116 tests.
Senversa’s report concluded that “soil samples were tested for a broad range of chemicals that could potentially be found in site soils
including metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, PFAS and tributyltin. Analytical concentrations were reported below the relevant human health and ecological criteria for each of the 12 samples analysed, with the majority of chemical analyses reporting concentrations below the detection limits of the laboratory”. Senversa’s report became Appendix 2 of the Stage 2 Feasibility Study.
It was heartening to FPR that the water quality tests and sediment tests gave the all clear for swimming at Cruickshank’s Corner.
Further testing of water at the site is needed after heavy rainfall events for the management of a pool so that swimmers can be given guidance as to how long to stay out of the water after rain. Stormwater run off, along our beaches, and into other waterways has led SA Health and the EPA to generally advise people not to swim within 2 – 3 days of a major rain event.
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