Bore driller responsibilities during and after construction
As a bore driller, you are responsible for all of the below during and after bore construction.
Bore casings and joints
Water bore casings and joints must do all of the following:
- stop the strata collapsing when drilled
- help construct and seal the bore and stop intermixing
- be strong enough for all construction pressures
- give access to the water producing zone
- be the right size to safely house the pump selected for the hole
- have an adequate operational life.
During and after bore construction
Take water samples during or immediately after construction. These should represent the groundwater and be a guide for water quality during drilling.
Bores should be plumb and straight so they do not interfere with installation, alignment, long-term operation or future removal of the pump.
The water entry zone of the bore should let water enter the bore, stabilise the formation, and stop unacceptable entry of materials from the formation.
Bores are sealed to protect the groundwater from contamination, keep aquifer pressures and quality, and keep the production zone separate from other formations.
Bores are developed to remove introduced products, improve well permeability, reduce entry losses, reduce entry of suspended solids and increase well efficiency.
All water supply bores should be tested to work out how much water they will produce.
Drilling equipment should be disinfected to stop the transfer of microbiological organisms or bacteria between sites. The bore should be free of these once it is finished.
Record information on the drilling, construction, reconditioning and decommissioning for the use of drillers, landholders and regulators.
Headworks must control the flow of water.
The protruding casing should be completed so it is protected from damage, stops surface runoff or potentially contaminated fluids from entering the bore.
After finishing drilling, the site should be restored to its original condition as much as possible.
Bores must be maintained to keep the bore performing and in good condition.
Repair bores that have failed.
Failed or unwanted bores should be taken out to restore the aquifer isolation that existed before the bore was drilled and constructed.