Water Bore Drilling
Why get a bore?
You can save a lot of money on your water bills! A single bore can save you thousands of dollars a year. See our analysis and calculations at the bottom of this page.
Let us help you along your journey to becoming self-sufficient with your garden and yard watering needs. We can drill a new bore and supply and install your new pump within a morning or afternoon, and you can water your lawn before we drive away. You don't even have to be home at the time!
Bores and pumps and their jargon might be very new to you, so we are here to answer your questions, and if we cannot assist you directly, we will provide you with contacts of those who can help you better. Check out our FAQ on jargon for some more plain English explanations of terms.
There are a few things we need your help with to ensure we can get the job done as quickly and smoothly as possible; refer to our handy checklist.
But, aren't bores expensive?
They are not expensive at all!
We use a local modification to an existing drilling method that is based on the latest international best practice methods, standards and equipment for a completed and cased PVC bore.
Most of our suitable drilling areas can have a bore drilled, and a pump supplied and installed for less than $3900! inc GST
We also offer a Seniors and Carers discount!
15% discount off the original price of water bore drilling and casing installation.
10% discount off the original price to supply and install the pump.
Not valid with any other offer. No other offers are allowed; discount applies to standard drilling rates only and not already discounted rates. We need to see your Seniors or Carers card for the discount to be applied.
OK, what else do I need to consider before having a bore drilled?
While we try our best to make the whole process as simple and hassle-free as possible, here are a few things you should consider before deciding to have a bore drilled.
Where to put the bore
Our drilling rig is mounted on a light truck which will need access to the location you'd like the bore drilled. See the FAQ for truck dimensions and more.
Is there power nearby for the pump? If not, how costly might it be to install? While the pump does not need to be directly on the bore (it can be under the house, in a shed, through a fence, etc.), please consider how easy it will be to distribute the water from the pump outlet to where you will need it.
If you think your preferred location might be difficult to access or needs fence sections removed or trees cut back, call us on 1800 193 194 to discuss your options.
Location of utilities
Please try to locate the underground services on your property, especially the pipe to the sewer mains.
If you're unsure where any services are on your property, we can contact the council for this information (for an additional $100 fee). See the FAQ for more details.
Disposal of soil
Usually, there are 3 - 5 wheelbarrow loads of material you need to find a place for as we cannot take this with us. If you have any holes or low points in your yard, this will be a great time to fill them.
I've decided I want a bore; what's next?
You can call us on 1800 193 194 for a free quote, but why not try our online quote form? It's quick and easy, and we'll typically contact you with a response in less than an hour (during regular business hours)!
$$$ Bore & Pump vs Town Water Supply - a price comparison
Why should you consider a water bore and pump package (around $4300 – $4700) when you can buy town water? Let's break down the true cost savings below.
Assumptions used below
Mackay Regional Council issues water notices every six months. Residential properties receive a 150kL allowance per half-year (300kL per year total) at the base tariff:
Tariff 1 - (First 300 kilolitres per year) $2.09/kL
Tariff 2 - (Excess water over 300 kilolitres per year) $3.09/kL
Note: Council's annual fixed water infrastructure access charge is $467.20. Because this flat rate is paid regardless of where your water comes from, we exclude it from volumetric consumption comparisons.
- Flow and pressure from the bore pump is usually the same as the town supply
- Dry season = May – November usage: 14 hours per week for 34.6 weeks (484.4 hours total)
- Wet season = Dec – April usage: 8 hours per week for 17.4 weeks (139.2 hours total)
- Total active yard watering run-time: 623 hours per year
- Big Pump Package = Premium DAB 132M (1.3kW motor) delivering a continuous operating average of 60L/min (3.6kL/hour)
- Small Pump Package = Efficient DAB 62M (750W motor) delivering a continuous operating average of 40L/min (2.4kL/hour)
- Solar panels are not considered, and power usage is based on Ergon Energy's residential Tariff 11 rate of 24.34c/kWh
- Bore Construction Cost = Average 6m to 9m depth cased PVC bore at $400/m ($3,000 capital value) pro-rated over 10 years = $300/year (Expected lifespan is 20-50+ years)
- Big Pump Package Cost = DAB 132 supplied and installed ($1,700 capital value) pro-rated over 5 years = $340/year
- Small Pump Package Cost = DAB 62 supplied and installed ($1,300 capital value) pro-rated over 5 years = $260/year
Calculations:
Dry season: 8 months x 4.33 weeks per month = 34.6 weeks
Wet season: 4 months = 52 - 34.6 = 17.4 weeks
Flow rates per year:
34.6 weeks x 14 hours usage per week = 484.4 hrs
17.4 weeks x 8 hours per week = 139.2 hrs
Total hourly usage per year: 484.4 + 139.2 = 623.6 hours
Big pump delivery = 3.6kL / hour x 623 hours = 2,242kL per year
Small pump delivery = 2.4kL / hour x 623 hours = 1,495kL per year
Power usage yearly costs:
Big pump = 623 hours x 1.3kW = 810kWh x $0.2434 (Tariff 11) = $197/year
Small pump = 623 hours x 0.75kW = 467kWh x $0.2434 (Tariff 11) = $113/year
Big pump overall yearly costs:
Bore cost pro-rated over 10 years = $300/year
Big pump cost pro-rated over 5 years = $340/year
Big pump electricity costs for 1 year = $197/year
Total Bore + Big pump running cost = $300 + $340 + $197 = $837/year
Big pump water cost per kL for comparison to MRC: $837 / 2242 = 37c per kL
Small pump overall yearly costs:
Bore cost pro-rated over 10 years = $300/year
Small pump cost pro-rated over 5 years = $260/year
Small pump electricity costs for 1 year = $113/year
Total Bore + Small pump running cost = $300 + $260 + $113 = $673/year
Small pump water cost per kL for comparison to MRC: $673 / 1495 = 45c per kL
Town water - the true volumetric calculation
First 300kL annual baseline allowance @ $2.09/kL = $627
Compare to big pump delivery excess volume: 2242kL - 300kL = 1942kL @ $3.09/kL = $6,001
Total town water consumption costs per year compared to the big pump (excluding fixed access charges): $627 + $6001 = $6,628
Compare to small pump delivery excess volume: 1495kL - 300kL = 1195kL @ $3.09/kL = $3,693
Total town water consumption costs per year compared to the small pump (excluding fixed access charges): $627 + $3693 = $4,320
Wrap up and summary
Using town water and comparing water usage to the big pump, your yearly consumption bills would be $6,628 in water and excess water charges to put 2,242kL of water on your yard, pool, and garden.
But, a new premium bore and Big Pump package costs $4,700 up front, and the pro-rated yearly costs (including electricity) are only $837. The system completely pays for itself in less than 10 months!
Using town water and comparing water usage to the small pump, your yearly consumption bills would be $4,320 in water and excess water charges to put 1,495kL of water on your yard, pool, and garden.
But, a new bore and Small Pump package costs $4,300 up front, and the pro-rated yearly costs (including electricity) are only $673. The system pays for itself in its very first year of action!