Borewellforum

26/02/2021

Borewellforum update:
The Overflow is the official quarterly digital publication of Irrigation Australia in WA region.
In a recent article in that publication I propose some suggestions to improve the current approach to private domestic groundwater bores in : "Domestic private bores in Perth: opportunities for improvement".
Follow the link:

Irrigation Australia the Peak Industry Body for the Irrigation Industry in Australia

08/07/2017

How much should my bore cost? Find out more from this guide.

What does it cost to construct and operate a bore? The capital cost of purchasing and installing a bore will vary depending on: Location of bore pumping capacity required bore depth (depth to water table) system design materials used proximity to electric power and water discharge area. The major co...

22/01/2017

BoreWellForum.com.au

22/09/2016

Shared bores; how to save $100 per year forever

“Great satisfaction comes from sharing with others”.

A shared bore is one that is accessed or used by two or more neighbouring properties.

In Australia, there are about 50 000 shared bores, out of the 1 million owned by householders. If another 50 000 householders decided to share their bore with their neighbours, this would save an estimated 3 GL per year of scheme (water authority) water, enough water for a town of 30 000 people!

How do I go about getting access to my neighbour’s bore?

Here is a simple 5 step process:
1. Ask your neighbour whether they would allow you to access their bore water, and offer to pay all of your costs of connection, and share the ongoing cost of operation and maintenance.
2. If they are agreeable, offer to sign a formal agreement (BoreWellForum can help by providing a model form of Agreement) which should include:
• Responsibility for the costs of connection to your neighbours reticulation pipework;
• Payment terms, and suggest this is based on the additional cost of power (this may need a separate meter to measure the amount of power you will be using);
• Responsibility for maintenance and breakdowns, and an Annual Water Bore Maintenance Check;
• Days and hours of operation (make sure you comply with any water restrictions!).
3. Once this has been agreed, you can go ahead and connect your reticulation pipework and control system to your neighbours system. You will need to ensure that your pump / irrigation controller is wired into your neighbour’s and is operated at times when your neighbour is not using their bore. You might need advice from an irrigation plumber or electrician for this.
4. Test your new bore watering system, and check that it all works smoothly. Check that your irrigation controller operates the bore on days and at times that are agreeable to your neighbour, and comply with any water restrictions.
5. You’re good to go!

What is this likely to cost?

The cost to connect your reticulation pipework to your neighbours, and to connect your controller, is likely to be less than $500. You can also do some of this yourself!
The annual cost of a submersible pump to run for one hour for three days per week in dry months will be about $20.
If you use about 60 kl per year for your garden watering, your water utility will charge you about $120 per year for this water..
Therefore if you share your neighbours bore, you will be saving around $100 per year, a payback period of less than 5 years.
And then think of all those other benefits!

For more details on shared bores and other bore questions, look at BoreWellForum.com.au

14/09/2016

Common domestic bore start-up problems

If you’re one of Australia’s 1 million domestic bore owners, you will be looking at your garden about now and thinking about getting your bore and irrigation system working after its winter break.
If you’re lucky, you will be one of the half a million or so bore owners whose bore and reticulation system will start reliably. You can relax. You may even find that your groundwater levels have risen during winter, and your pump won’t have to work so hard, and possibly will deliver a better flow of water.
However, if you’re in the other unlucky half a million or so bore owners, it’s likely that you will face one of many common problems, including:
• bore won’t start or stops completely
• bore control system fails / fuse blows
• dirty or stained water
• reduced supply or flow of water
• pumping of sand and deteriorating water quality.
If you want to save yourself some time, and lots of trouble, it could be helpful to carry out a basic check on your bore. You should carry out a routine Annual Water Bore Maintenance Check.
If you’re having any of the problems above, and before you call your local bore and reticulation maintenance guy (who should be very busy at this time of year), you may want to do a basic trouble shooting check.
More detailed information on this can be found on BoreWellForum.com.au
When you access this site, you will find a “Guideline on bore trouble shooting” and can download a list of “Solutions to common domestic bore problems”.

30/08/2016

Prepare your bore for Spring

With Spring approaching, your domestic bore has been sitting idle for many months, and it will soon be working hard to provide your garden with water during the hot summer months.
You can do a lot to make sure your bore is ready for work, and also to protect your precious groundwater resources.
To prepare your bore, and to get more reliable long term performance, you should conduct a routine Annual Water Bore Maintenance Check.
What does an Annual Water Bore Maintenance Check Involve?
Your check should include:
• A flow test to determine pump system output, pump motor performance, pump control system, and (if relevant) pressure tank and pressure switch contact.
• An inspection of bore equipment to assure that it is safe and meets local regulations.
• Check the bore cover or bore cap on top of the casing (bore pipe) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
• If your water is used for drinking, you should also test your water for bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. This is important if you notice a change in taste, odour or appearance of your bore water, or when the system is faulty or serviced.
• Ensure hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and oil are kept far away from your bore, and maintain a “clean” zone of at least 15 metres between your bore and any potential hazards including pet kennels or livestock, buildings, waste systems, or chemical storage areas.
You should also do a basic check to see that you are not wasting water. This includes repairing dripping taps and toilets, choosing appliances that are water and energy-efficient, and not letting the tap run when you’re not using the water.

For more details of these tests and other useful information for private domestic bore owners, see BoreWellForum.com.au

26/08/2016

What can you do to ensure your bore is sustainable? Consider the following:

Ensure that it meets local regulations, and is constructed by a licensed (i.e. trained) drilling company
Ensure that you comply with any regulations regarding hours of operation or other restrictions
Ensure you do not over-water your garden
Ensure you follow basic water conservation measures, including repairing dripping taps and toilets, and choosing appliances that are water and energy-efficient
keep your bore properly maintained and inspected regularly
test your bore water regularly so that you maintain the health of your water source.

If you need more information on these matters, you may want to:

Search the BoreWellForum site for guidance and information
Post a question on BoreWellForum

09/08/2016

This old above ground pump and motor is over 20 years old and still doing good work: a well constructed and maintained groundwater bore.

24/03/2016

BoreWell Forum will provide and share information and advice to help Australian private domestic bore and well owners achieve the best performance and value from their bore or well system.

BoreWell Forum encourages and supports the increased development and use of domestic bores and their collaborative and sustainable use.

Go to:

Borewellforum.com.au