Perth Water Bore Drillers With Over 30 Years' Experience

Aquarian Drilling provides much more than new bore drilling.

Our services cover the complete life of a water bore, including new installations, pump systems, electrical controls, bore development, fault diagnosis, repairs, rehabilitation and specialist restoration of older wells and bores.

We work on modern submersible water bores as well as traditional Perth concrete wells using centrifugal pumps.

Where an existing bore has failed, we assess whether it can be economically repaired, rehabilitated, re-sleeved, re-bored or re-speared before recommending complete replacement.

How We Assess Your Property Before Drilling

Water bore depth and drilling conditions can vary significantly across Perth, sometimes even between nearby properties.

Before providing a proposal, Aquarian Drilling assesses the expected groundwater and geological conditions at the property.

We use more than 30 years of our own drilling records together with available groundwater information, including the Perth Groundwater Atlas, to assess factors such as:

• Expected depth to groundwater
• Likely target drilling depth
• Geological formations
• Likely drilling method
• Potential salinity
• Iron-staining risk
• Required bore diameter
• Intended water demand
• Site access
• Proposed bore location

This allows us to provide an informed estimate of the likely bore requirements and drilling costs before work begins.

If you proceed, site access, bore position, underground and overhead services, power supply and connection requirements can then be confirmed before drilling.

How Deep Are Water Bores in Perth?

There is no standard depth for a Perth water bore.

The required depth depends on the property's location, groundwater level, geology, seasonal groundwater variation, aquifer conditions and intended use.

Some parts of the Swan Coastal Plain have relatively shallow groundwater, while other locations require significantly deeper drilling.

Perth Hills properties can be very different because groundwater may occur within weathered zones and fractures in granite and other rock formations.

Aquarian Drilling uses local drilling records and available groundwater information to establish a target depth before drilling. The final bore depth is determined by the actual conditions encountered.

Perth Water Bore Geology

Perth's geology varies considerably, which is why local drilling experience matters.

Swan Coastal Plain

Depending on location, drilling can encounter:

• Bassendean Sand
• Spearwood Sand
• Tamala Limestone
• Quartz sands
• Coffee rock
• Clay and silty formations

Perth Hills & Foothills

Ground conditions can include:

• Clay
• Laterite
• Weathered rock
• Decomposed granite
• Hard granite
• Fractured granite

Aquarian Drilling uses drilling methods appropriate to the formation, including rotary drilling and DTH hammer drilling for hard-rock conditions.

The geology encountered can influence bore depth, casing and screen design, development requirements, available yield and ultimately the type of pump system required.

We also have extensive experience drilling water bores throughout Western Australia so if you need a quote outside the Perth metro area give us a call to discuss your requirements.

Depth to water links

Find the depth to water on your property in Perth metro area

Find depth to water outside metro area

New Bore Installation (Domestic & Commercial)

Aquarian Drilling has been constructing water bores throughout Perth and surrounding areas since 1994.

We install:

• 4-inch water bores
• 6-inch water bores
• 8-inch water bores
• Domestic garden bores
• Commercial water bores
• Rural water bores
• Irrigation bores
• Bore-to-tank systems

Our drilling equipment is capable of drilling through sand, clay, limestone, laterite and hard rock.

Bore diameter and construction are selected according to the geology, available groundwater, pump requirements, required flow and intended application.

 We are licensed drillers with the ADIA.

Domestic Water Bores Perth

A properly designed domestic water bore can provide groundwater for garden and landscape irrigation and reduce reliance on scheme water.

A complete Aquarian domestic bore installation can include:

• Bore drilling
• PVC casing and screen
• Gravel pack where required
• Bore development
• Submersible pump
• Rising main
• Electrical cable
• Pump controls
• Electrical connection
• Reticulation connection
• Bore automation

The complete system should be designed around the available groundwater and the property's irrigation requirements rather than simply installing the largest possible pump.

Commercial & Rural Water Bores

Aquarian Drilling also constructs larger water bores for commercial, rural and higher-demand applications.

Applications can include commercial landscaping, irrigation, rural properties, vineyards, tank filling, facilities and other groundwater requirements.

Depending on the application, we can assess the required bore diameter, expected groundwater supply, pump duty, pipework, controls and storage requirements as part of the complete system design.

Perth Hills & Hard-Rock Water Bore Drilling

Water bore drilling in the Perth Hills is very different from drilling many conventional Swan Coastal Plain garden bores.

Ground conditions can include clay, laterite, weathered and decomposed granite and hard fractured granite. Groundwater may occur within weathered zones or fractures in the underlying rock.

Aquarian Drilling has experience drilling throughout areas including:

Gidgegannup, Mundaring, Stoneville, Mount Helena, Kalamunda, Parkerville, Glen Forrest, Darlington, Mahogany Creek, Hovea, Boya, Greenmount, Helena Valley, Gooseberry Hill, Lesmurdie, Walliston, Bickley, Carmel, Pickering Brook and Roleystone.

Where required, DTH hammer drilling is used to penetrate hard-rock formations.

Because groundwater in fractured-rock environments can vary substantially between properties, the final depth, yield and water quality cannot be guaranteed before drilling.

Our experience and available groundwater information allow us to assess the likely conditions and explain the drilling risks before work begins.

More Information

Shared Bore Installation

Aquarian Drilling has extensive experience installing shared water bores between neighbouring properties.

Where a shared bore is suitable, we can coordinate the complete installation including:

• Bore drilling and construction
• Pump selection
• Plumbing
• Electrical connection
• Pump controls
• Independent reticulation operation
• Bore automation
• System commissioning

A written shared-bore agreement is strongly recommended to establish responsibility for electricity, water use, servicing, repairs, access and future replacement costs.

All drilling, bore pump and specialist electrical work can be coordinated through Aquarian Drilling without relying on multiple unrelated contractors.

Water Bore Automation Perth

Older Perth water bore systems commonly use a manual pump switch and gate valves that must be opened and closed by hand.

Aquarian Drilling can convert suitable manual bore and reticulation systems to automatic operation.

Depending on the existing installation, automation may include:

• Automatic reticulation controller
• Direct Online Starter (DOL)
• Appropriately sized solenoid valves
• Pump controls
• Electrical protection
• Automatic watering programs
• Tank level controls

Our in-house bore electrical capability allows the pump and reticulation controls to be integrated into one system.

We supply and install major irrigation controller brands including Hunter, Rain Bird and Weathermatic.

Call our Bore specialist Electrician James on 0407885091 and he will give you a an idea of cost over the phone.

Reboring or Re spearing Old Fashioned Bores or Wells Has Your Old Bore Started Pumping Sand?

A bore pumping sand does not automatically mean that the entire system needs to be replaced.

Aquarian Drilling specialises in assessing and repairing old-style Perth water bores and concrete wells, including systems that other contractors may recommend replacing with a new submersible bore.

Depending on the condition of the existing well and groundwater supply, repair may involve:

• Re-boring
• Re-spearing
• New slotted PVC
• Non-return valve replacement
• Suction repairs
• Pump repairs
• Bore development
• Re-sleeving

Where suitable, repairing or re-spearing the existing system can avoid the cost and disruption of drilling a completely new bore and replacing the existing pump and electrical system.

If the old bore is no longer practical or economical to repair, we can assess and quote a new submersible water bore.

More Information

Call us now for an obligation free quote, 0417928330 or 0407885091

Bore Air Development and/or Chemical Treatment

Water bore performance can deteriorate because of drilling fines, clay, sediment, mineral deposits, iron fouling, biological fouling or material restricting water movement through the screen and surrounding formation.

Aquarian Drilling provides bore development and rehabilitation using methods appropriate to the bore construction and identified problem.

These can include:

• Air development
• Air-lifting
• Mechanical agitation
• Surging
• Chemical development
• Combined rehabilitation techniques

Air development uses compressed air to agitate and lift water and accumulated material from the bore.

For newly drilled bores, development helps remove clay, silt and drilling fines from the bore and surrounding formation and stabilises the formation around the screen.

Where bentonite-based drilling mud has been used, appropriate products such as AMC WELLCLEAN™ may be used where suitable to assist in breaking down residual drilling mud and wall cake.

Development should continue until the bore is producing acceptably clear water and unstable fine material has been adequately removed.

Correct development can improve bore performance, reduce sand and sediment production and help provide a more stable water supply.

bore Pump Supply & Installation

Aquarian Drilling supplies and installs domestic and commercial bore pumps.

Our experience includes:

• Submersible bore pumps
• Centrifugal pumps
• Pressure pumps
• Jet pumps
• Tank pumps
• Commercial pump systems

We work with established pump manufacturers including Grundfos, Lowara, Calpeda, Davey, Pumpmaster and Onga.

Selecting the Correct Bore Pump

The correct pump cannot be selected from bore depth alone.

Pump selection should consider:

• Available bore yield
• Static water level
• Pumping water level
• Pump installation depth
• Total dynamic head
• Required pressure
• Required flow
• Pipe diameter and length
• Irrigation demand
• Tank requirements

Installing a pump capable of drawing water faster than a bore can sustainably produce can cause excessive drawdown and poor system performance.

Where bore recharge is relatively low, particularly in some Perth Hills and rural bores, a lower-flow pump combined with a storage tank may provide a better solution.

Pump Sales 

Aquarian Drilling can supply quality pumps and associated equipment for customers requiring replacement or new equipment.

We supply leading pump brands with proven performance in Perth water bore applications.

Correct pump selection is important. If you are unsure which pump is suitable, contact us with the bore depth, water level, required flow and application before purchasing.

Pump Repairs Has Your Bore Pump Stopped Working?

A bore with no water or poor pressure does not automatically require a new pump.

The fault may be caused by:

• Pump failure
• Motor failure
• Electrical fault
• Failed capacitor
• Pump controller
• Non-return valve
• Suction leak
• Damaged pipework
• Falling water level
• Blocked bore
• Reduced bore yield

Aquarian Drilling diagnoses the bore, pump and associated controls before recommending repair or replacement.

We repair and replace submersible, centrifugal, jet and pressure pumps and can supply suitable replacement equipment where required.

All water bore, pump and specialist electrical work is coordinated in-house.

Down Hole Camera Services (DTH)

Some bore problems cannot be accurately diagnosed from the surface.

Aquarian Drilling uses specialist down-hole camera equipment to inspect the internal condition of water bores and wells.

Camera inspections can help identify:

• Cracked or damaged casing
• Holes or casing breaches
• Damaged screens
• Corrosion
• Root intrusion
• Biofouling
• Sediment build-up
• Obstructions
• Down-hole equipment problems

Real-time down-hole and side-view imaging can provide valuable information before deciding whether a bore should be repaired, rehabilitated or replaced.

Retrieval of Stuck or Dropped Pumps

Aquarian Drilling specialises in retrieving stuck, jammed and dropped submersible bore pumps.

Common causes include:

• Tree roots entering the casing
• Damaged casing
• Pumps installed too close to the bottom
• Sediment and silt build-up
• Bore or casing misalignment
• Deformed PVC casing
• Electrical cable becoming wedged
• Stainless-steel support cable failure
• Rising main failure
• Previous unsuccessful attempts to pull the pump

Trying to forcibly remove a stuck pump can make the problem considerably worse.

We use specialist retrieval equipment and industry experience to assess whether recovery is practical and, where possible, recover the pump while protecting the existing bore.

Pump recovery always involves some risk, particularly where the bore casing is already damaged, and these risks are explained before work begins.

Re sleeving Bores

A bore producing fine sand does not always require complete replacement.

Where the existing bore construction and condition allow, an appropriately sized internal slotted PVC screen may be installed inside the existing bore.

Re-sleeving can help control fine material entering the system and may restore a bore at significantly lower cost than drilling a completely new installation.

The bore must first be assessed to determine whether re-sleeving is technically appropriate.

Non Return Valve Replacement (NRV or “Check Valve”)

The non-return valve, also known as a check valve or NRV, is a critical component of many traditional centrifugal water bore systems.

A failed valve can cause the system to lose prime, resulting in the pump running without delivering water.

Aquarian Drilling supplies and installs quality Australian-made brass Alderdice non-return valves for suitable applications.

Correct valve selection and installation are particularly important in older wells and centrifugal bore systems.

Deep Well Repair and / or Maintenance Specialist

Aquarian Drilling specialises in repairing and maintaining old-style deep wells that many contractors are not equipped to work on.

Some traditional Perth wells can be many metres deep and may contain centrifugal pumps, suction pipework, electrical equipment and ageing infrastructure.

Deep-well work presents additional hazards and should not be undertaken without appropriate training, procedures and safety equipment.

Our deep-well equipment includes atmospheric gas detection and appropriate fall-protection and retrieval equipment.

We assess the existing well, pump, pipework, electrical system and bore condition before recommending repairs.

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Bore / Well Abandonment

Unused or failed bores and wells should be properly decommissioned rather than simply left open or covered.

Aquarian Drilling can abandon and seal suitable bores and wells in accordance with applicable drilling industry requirements.

Correct abandonment helps prevent unsafe openings, contamination pathways and unwanted movement of water between formations.

Water Tank Installation & Low-Flow Bore Systems

Not every useful water bore needs to produce a high instantaneous flow.

This is particularly relevant in some Perth Hills and rural locations where a bore may have a relatively low but sustainable recharge rate.

Aquarian Drilling can design bore-to-tank systems that allow a lower-flow bore to progressively fill a storage tank.

A separate pressure pump can then draw from the tank to supply irrigation or other suitable applications at a higher instantaneous flow.

We can supply and install water storage tanks and associated bore pump, float-control and pumping equipment.

Water Bore Meter Installation

We supply and install water meters that comply with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation standards. This allows License holders to comply with their monitoring requirements for the water that is abstracted from the aquifers.

For more information refer to the Guide to meter installation

Automatic Fertilisation

Automatic fertilisation equipment can be incorporated into suitable domestic and commercial bore-fed irrigation systems.

These systems allow controlled fertiliser dosing through the irrigation system and can be integrated with appropriate bore and reticulation installations.

Contact us to discuss whether automatic fertilisation is appropriate for your system.

Pump Fusion Claims & Electrical Insurance Claims

Aquarian Drilling provides specialist electrical assessment of bore pump failures, including fused and burnt-out pump motors.

Electrical faults may result from motor failure, insulation breakdown, electrical supply problems, power surges or other causes.

Our bore electrical capability allows us to test the pump and associated electrical system to determine the nature of the failure.

Where appropriate, we can provide documentation to support an insurance claim for a fused or burnt-out bore pump motor.

Insurance coverage varies between policies, so customers should confirm the applicable cover and excess with their insurer.

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