Q. We are considering a bore, however some people have told us there is no water underground and what’s there is salty. Other neighbours are using bore water with lovely green gardens. We are a little unsure as to how to proceed?
A. Records are available about water quality of bores in surrounding areas, as well as depth etc. This information is available via the link http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/waterdata. Bores are listed by parish and information is available free. As we advise all new clients “ do your research first”. An experienced driller with a good knowledge of the area should also be able to advise you.
Q. We have heard that all bores will have to have meters fitted and people will have to pay for water. Is this true?
A. This is only true for irrigation and commercial extraction. Stock and domestic bores have no requirement for meters. Stock and domestic usage is set at no more than .1 ML per day, which is roughly 100,000 Lt per day or 22,000 Gallons per day in the old scale.
Q. We are experiencing difficulties with a driller for various reasons. He will not return or answer our phone calls. What do we do?
A. Contact the water authority that issued your bore permit and ask for their drilling inspector. He will be able to advise you as to the drillers obligations, what is expected of him and his standard of work. He will also be able to advise you as to the Minimum Construction Requirements for Waterbores in Australia (ARMCANZ1997).
Q. We have had a bore drilled and were told there is “plenty of water”. The bore is 42Mt deep but that’s all we know. How do we find more information about the bore?
A. When a bore is drilled, both the landowner and the relevant water authority must receive a “bore completion report” by the driller. The report will outline all details of the bore, from depth, yield, geological conditions, borecasing etc etc. As a matter of law, these details must be forthcoming from the driller.
Q. We had a bore drilled after getting the cheaper of two quotes. The second driller asked to see the first quote, promising to “get under it”. Our bore worked fine for two days, now it is pumping dirty muddy water for a short time, then nothing. The driller will not return our calls and the pump installer (recommended by the driller) said the problem is with the bore. What is wrong with our bore and what do we do?
A. As you have discovered, cheaper is not better, usually worse, especially when there is a Labour/Skill/Knowledge/Professionalism factor involved. I would suggest the driller did not line the bore to full depth with borecasing, saving time and materials etc. Or he did not develop the bore after casing was installed, once again saving time and fuel etc. If the driller will not return to rectify the problem, you will need to have a camera inspection of the bore to determine how much casing has been installed. The bore will need to be cased to full depth and developed as well. The bore may possibly need a screen or gravel pack (filter systems) as well. If this is not done, apart from running out of water, the bore may collapse and you have lost everything, or continue pumping dirty water, which will destroy the pump. People really need to ask themselves what type of work is carried out by “cut price” contractors?
Q. We have decided to engage your company to construct a bore for us. What exactly happens?
A. After divining the best location, the bore will be drilled to the optimum depth. It will be developed (flushed clean of drilling slurry), then cased, that is lined to full depth with not less than class9 PVC lead free bore casing. It will then be developed again and flow tested to determine the amount of water available. Your bore will be logged to determine different geological formations and water intersections and flow rates etc. It will then have a concrete surface seal and cap fitted, ready for pump selection and installation. All work will either be in accordance to or exceed the Minimum Construction Standard For Waterbores in Australia (ARMCANZ1997). You will then be given a bore completion report and all details pertaining to the bore.
Q. We have an existing bore on the property, about 12 years old, and the flow has started to diminish in the last few weeks. Is the bore running out of water?
A. It is possible, however there are a number of more likely reasons. If the pump and control system have been checked and found to be within tolerances, then the bore may have a buildup of mineral deposits, such as Iron, Calcium, Manganese or simply sediment. Either chemical treatment or air development will resolve the problem and hopefully restore the bore to its full capacity.
Q. Our bore pump has a pressure controller connected to our watering system. Even with the taps turned off, the bore pump still cycles on and off. Why does this happen and is it bad for the pump?
A. Your pump operates on a pressure sensing system. With the taps turned off, the pump should build up to pressure, usually 40-60PSI, then switch off, not turning back on until a tap is opened and the pressure drops. Cycling of the pump is due to either two reasons. Either there is a leak in the watering system, stopping it from holding pressure, or there is air in the system. Either way, the problem needs to be rectified or it will burn out the pump.
Q. We want a bore to water our garden, fill a tank and wash down horses. Will the bore pump do all these things or do we need more than one pump?
A. A good bore pump with the right control system will do all these things. Both the garden and tank can be filled and watered automatically and water for washdown also available.