Bore construction requirements

If you construct or decommission a bore incorrectly, it poses a risk to our groundwater resources.

Your responsibilities

You are responsible for complying with the bore construction requirements and completing the required steps after the bore has been constructed.

All water bores

You must ensure that all water bore drilling activities comply with the Australian Drilling Industry Association’s Minimum construction requirements for water bores in Australia (PDF, 10MB).

Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers (GABORA)

There are additional requirements for water bores constructed in the GABORA water plan area.

You must also comply with the Minimum standards for the construction and reconditioning of water bores that intersect the sediments of artesian basins in Queensland (PDF, 958KB).

Gas prone areas

If you are drilling in a gas prone area, you should read the Safety advisory on drilling water bores in gas prone areas (PDF, 550KB) to understand how to drill safely and identify risks.

After the bore is constructed

Step 1: Bore disinfection

It is recommended you disinfect the bore with a sterilising agent to protect the groundwater resource.

Iron bacteria may be transported from water bore to water bore or can be present in the aquifer. Once a water bore is infected, it is extremely difficult to eradicate the bacteria.

Step 2: Complete drilling records

You must complete a:

You must complete a separate drill log or cementing report for each water bore drilled or cemented.

  1. Open the form and click on the Generate ID button to give your form a unique ID. You must create a new ID for each form.
  2. Click on each field to enter information into the form.
  3. Save the form and change the name of the file. For example: austin-23297966 (your last name and the ID number).

Drilling records must be completed and submitted by the licensed driller who drilled the water bore. They cannot be submitted by another person on behalf of the licensed driller.

Step 3: Submit your records to the department

You have 60 business days to submit your forms to waterHUB@dlgwv.qld.gov.au.

We recommend you provide your client with a copy of the completed forms and save a copy for your own records.

Failure to submit these forms within the required timeframe is an offence under the Water Act 2000 and may result in compliance action.