Drilling water bores in Queensland
Drilling for water
Drilling a bore to find underground water in Queensland can involve high initial financial outlay. You should consider all of the information below to make an informed decision about getting a water bore before hiring a water bore driller in Queensland.
Getting started
Before you hire a driller, you should ask these questions and make a list of your requirements.
- What amount of water do is required and what quality is needed- for example is the water required for house hold supply for drinking and washing or gardens? Or is it only required for watering stock? A higher quality of water is generally required for households but stock can tolerate some salt.
- How deep is the water in my area ?You might need to ask neighbors or others in the area with existing bores.
- What is the cost of drilling and casing my bore and will there be any other charges involved?
- What sorts of drill rigs are available and are they suitable for my soil types. Some types of drill rigs are only suited to soft ground while others are capable of drilling through hard rock.
- Where can I locate a bore on my property? Bores need to be close to where the water is required to keep costs down but sometimes the water is not close to where you need it so considerations for other costs as piping and electric connections need to be considered. Ask your driller to find a spot that is suitable for you.
- What permits are required in my area before starting work? Some area’s in Queensland require a permit to drill so contact your local council to find out and get the necessary permits before you hire a driller as it is the property owners responsibility to acquire the these before work can proceed.
- Are there any license requirements to pump water in your area? Some areas in populated towns require a license to take water from underground reservoirs and some councils have restrictions on the amount of water you can take and also may have pumping time requirements.
- How should my bore be constructed? Water bores should be constructed to government minimum standards and the driller should be licensed and know how to construct and finish your water bore in Queensland to these standards.
License or permits that may required by law in your area.
A water license will be required for the following:
- Pumping water from an artesian aquifer
- Pumping water from a sub-artesian aquifer in a regulated groundwater area.
A development permit is sometimes required to before the commencement of water bore construction before work is started. Some water bores in Queensland that are in a regulated underground water zone will often require a development permit. These permits are issued by DNRM before any water bore drilling in Queensland can be commenced. (even test holes in these areas may require the permit to be obtained before work starts)