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WATER BORE CONSTRUCTION

MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER BORES IN AUSTRALIA (Edition 3)

Water bores are the most common means of tapping groundwater. The siting, design, materials, and construction method used all influence the quantity and quality of water obtained.

Water Bore Construction

The Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia, developed by NUDLC aims to:

  • protect groundwater resources from contamination, deterioration, and uncontrolled flow associated with poorly constructed bores
  • ensure long-term economic production of groundwater of the best possible quality.

  • outlines the minimum requirements for constructing, repairing, and decommissioning water bores in Australia
  • provides the technical base for licensed drillers, for bore permits, and as a reference for bore construction
  • is extensively used by regulators and the drilling industry
  • provides a consistent standard reference across Australia for bore licensing and drillers’ licensing
  • deals with the ‘whole life’ of the water bore from tendering and licensing to construction, development and decommissioning for shallow small-diameter and lower yielding bores through to deep large-diameter and high-yielding bores.

    • This new edition separates the requirements into mandatory requirements, and recommendations for good industry practice.

    Mandatory Requirements are enforceable by regulators for the protection of the groundwater resource.

    Good Industry Practices are methods and techniques recommended to:

  • help satisfy mandatory requirements
  • provide efficient and cost-effective water bores
  • ensure the long-term efficiency and operation of the water bore.

    • Some technical aspects have been updated. These include, casing, sealing, bore head completion and water production. (Notably, these requirements stipulate that no water is to be taken from different water bearing formations in the same bore).

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE THIRD EDITION

    The National Uniform Driller Licensing Committee

    The National Uniform Driller Licensing Committee (NUDLC) is a voluntary group comprising senior water bore drilling representatives from each State and Territory department, the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA), and Australian Drilling Industry training Committee (ADITC). NUDLC has been in continuous operation since 1990. It is experienced body which has made considerable progress in ground water resource management matters, and is able to provide information and technical advice on matters relevant to the management of and access to groundwater to assist in the development of policy advice.

    Our considerable progress, based on interstate agreements, includes

  • Publication of the Minimum Bore Construction Requirements (Edition 3, 2012)
  • Agreed protocols for driller licensing and recognition
  • The development and maintenance of a national uniform examination for driller licensing

    • Contact information:

    Virginia Hilliard
    Chair,
    National Uniform Driller Licensing Committee

    Chief Executive Officer, Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee Ltd
    PO Box 742 LANE COVE, NSW 2066
    Phone: 02 9428 3444 Email: ua.moc.ctidanull@draillihv]