Groundwater Assessment and Bore Siting

Using available groundwater information, nearby bore records, local drilling experience and on-site assessment to help identify a practical drilling location.

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Groundwater Assessment and Bore Siting

Selecting a suitable location is an important part of planning a water bore. In hard-rock areas, groundwater is commonly associated with fractures, weathered zones and other geological features that can vary significantly between neighbouring properties.

Before drilling, we review the information available for the property and surrounding area. This may include nearby bore records, geological information, topography, reported drilling depths and our own experience working in the region.

We also consider practical site factors such as access for the drilling equipment, overhead and underground services, buildings, septic systems, drainage, fences and the intended use of the bore.

Where requested, traditional water divining may also form part of the on-site assessment. However, neither divining nor geological information can confirm that groundwater will be found or accurately predict its depth, flow rate or quality before drilling.

Our Approach To

Groundwater Assessment

We use several sources of information rather than relying on one bore siting method.

Historical bore records and local drilling experience can provide useful indications of the conditions encountered nearby. An on-site assessment then helps determine whether a proposed location is accessible, safe and practical for drilling.

The purpose of this process is to make a more informed site-selection decision and establish realistic expectations before the rig is mobilised. It does not remove the geological uncertainty involved in drilling a water bore.

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How We Work

01

Review of Available Information

We review available records and information relating to the property and surrounding area.

Depending on what is available, this may include nearby bore depths, reported groundwater inflows, geological mapping, elevation, surrounding landforms and our previous drilling experience in the area.

Records from nearby properties can provide useful context, but conditions may still differ within a relatively short distance.

02

On-Site Property Assessment

We inspect the property to assess possible drilling locations and equipment access.

This includes considering gates, tracks, slopes, vegetation, buildings, fences, overhead powerlines, underground services, septic systems and the operating space required for the rig and support vehicles.

Where requested, an experienced water diviner may also assess potential locations on the property.

03

Comparison of Site Options

We compare the available groundwater and geological information with the practical conditions observed on site.

This helps us identify one or more locations that may be suitable for drilling. Site selection also considers appropriate setbacks and the ability to position and operate the equipment safely.

No location can be verified as water-bearing until it has been drilled.

04

Recommended Drilling Location

We discuss the preferred location with the property owner and explain the reasons for the recommendation.

We can also provide guidance on the depths and conditions previously encountered in the broader area. These are estimates only and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee of the final bore depth, flow rate or water quality.

Once a suitable location has been agreed upon, we confirm the drilling arrangements and applicable pricing.

Groundwater Assessment and Bore Siting

Essential Questions Answered

What is the difference between water divining and geological assessment?

Water divining is a traditional bore-siting practice used by some drillers and landowners when selecting a possible drilling location.

A geological and groundwater assessment uses information such as nearby bore records, regional geology, topography and previous drilling results to understand the conditions that may exist around a property.

Our team may consider both methods when requested, together with practical factors such as access and site safety. Neither method can confirm groundwater or guarantee a successful bore.

Can you tell whether the groundwater will be fresh or salty before drilling?

The quality of groundwater cannot be confirmed until water is encountered and tested.

Nearby bore records and local experience may provide a general indication of water quality in the area. However, salinity and other water characteristics can vary between properties, between different depths and even between separate fractures within the same bore.

Laboratory testing is recommended where the water will be used for drinking, irrigation, livestock or another purpose requiring known water-quality limits.

Is groundwater information available for the Perth Hills?

Some public bore, groundwater and geological information is available, although the level of detail varies between locations.

Hard-rock groundwater conditions throughout the Perth Hills can be highly localised. For this reason, regional information and nearby bore results provide guidance rather than certainty about what will be encountered on an individual property.

We supplement available records with our own experience drilling in the area, while making it clear that previous nearby results do not guarantee the outcome of a new bore.

Is the assessment included with a standard water bore project?

A baseline review of available information and the proposed drilling location forms part of our normal planning process.

The extent of any additional site assessment or water-divining service depends on the property location, the information available and the scope of the project. Any separate charges are discussed before the service is carried out.