Water Bore Drilling

Why get a bore?

You can save a lot of money off 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 and, if not, how costly it might 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 bore and pump (around $3900) when you can buy a lot of town water for that price? Let's discuss it below.

Assumptions used below

Mackay Regional Council issues water notices every six months in May and November. Water consumption charges for the 2024/2025 financial year are:

Tariff 1 - (0-150 kilolitres) per half year $1.86/kL

Tariff 2 - Over 150 kilolitres per half year $2.91/kL

• Flow and pressure from the bore pump is the same as the town supply
• Dry season = May – November usage: 2 hours per day, 14 hours per week. 8 months
• Wet season = Dec – April usage: 8 hours per week. 4 Months
• Big Pump = DAB 132M or similar Onga JJ600 or Davey with 1.3kW motor and up to 75L/min delivery
• Small Pump = DAB 62M or similar Onga JJ400 or Davey with 750W motor and up to 45L/min delivery
• Solar panels are not considered, and power usage is at the highest Ergon tariff (Tariff 11) at 24.34c/kWh
• Original bore cost of $2600 pro-rated over 10 years (expected lifespan of a bore is 20-50+ years)
• Original big pump cost of $1300 pro-rated over 5 years (expected lifespan of a protected, maintained and serviced DAB is 6-12+ years)
• Original small pump cost of $1100 pro-rated over 5 years (expected lifespan of a protected, maintained and serviced DAB is 6-12+ years)

Calculations:

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

Big pump = 3.6kL / hour x 623 hours = 2242kL per year

Small pump = 2.4kL/ hour x 623 hours = 1495kL per year

Power usage yearly costs:

Big pump = 623 hours x 1.3kW = 810kWh x $0.2434 (Tariff 11) = $197.54

Small pump = 623 hours x 0.75kW = 467kWh x $0.2434 (Tariff 11) = $113.66

Big pump overall yearly costs:

Bore cost pro-rated over 10 years = $260/year

Big pump cost pro-rated over 5 years = $260/year

Big pump power costs for 1 year = $197

Total Bore + Big pump cost = $260+$260+$197 = $717

Big pump cost per kL for comparison to MRC: $717/2242 = 32c per kL

Small pump overall yearly costs:

Small pump cost pro-rated over 5 years = $220/year

Small pump power costs for 1 year = $113

Total Bore + small pump cost = $200+$220+$113 = $533

Small pump cost per kL for comparison to MRC: $533/1495 =36c per kL

Town water - the easy calculation

First 150kL @ $1.86/kL = $279

Compare to big pump delivery: 2242kL - 150kL = 2092kL@$2.91/kL = $6,087

Total town water costs per year compared to big pump (excluding network charges): $279 + $6087 = $6366

Compare to small pump delivery: 1495kL - 150kL = 1345kL@$2.91/kL = $3,913

Total town water costs per year compared to small pump (excluding network charges): $279 + $3913 = $4192

Wrap up and summary

Using town water and comparing water usage to the big pump, your yearly costs would be $6366 in water and excess water charges to put 2,242kL of water on your yard/pool/garden.

But, a new bore and pump only cost $3900 and the pro-rated yearly costs for the same volume are $717

Using town water and comparing water usage to the small pump, your yearly costs would be $3991 in water and excess water charges to put 1,495kL of water on your yard/pool/garden.

But, a new bore and pump only cost $3900 and the pro-rated yearly costs for the same volume are $533