New deep groundwater bores

Project goal:

Secure Perth’s drinking water supply by expanding our deep groundwater network

Status:

In construction

Delivery Date:

2017 - 2020

What’s happening?

We’re drilling new deep underground bores to support the expansion of our groundwater network. This is part of our plan to secure Perth’s water supply.

Where is this happening?

The location of these sites has largely been informed by studies undertaken by the Department of Water and Environment Regulation that looked at how best to recharge and abstract from Perth’s deep underground aquifers. We have also worked closely with local government authorities on where these bores should be located.

We’ve drilled bores at our Neerabup Groundwater Treatment Plant, Lysander Reserve in Heathridge, Gradient Park in Beldonand Beldon Park, Beldon. We’re also drilling bores at Sheldrake Reserve, Gwelup.

Why is this work taking place?

We are boosting Perth’s water supply through extracting additional groundwater from the replenished deep aquifers.

When is this happening?

We started drilling the bores in 2018 and expect to complete the drilling program in mid-2019.

How will this impact the community?

Residents living near the bore sites may notice construction activity and will be advised prior to work starting.

Bore completion work – Sheldrake Reserve, Stirling

We have finishing drilling a bore at Sheldrake Reserve, Stirling. In early June we will flush the bore, which involves pumping large volumes of water through the bore into a fenced off area of the reserve, where it will return to the natural environment. Flushing the bore ensures drinking water provided by the bore meets our guidelines. We encourage members of the community to avoid the fenced area while we are pumping the bore to ensure their safety.

Hamersley bore drilling

In May we plan to decommission an existing bore at Cordroy Way, Hamersley. Read more about the decommissioning work.

Beldon bore drilling

In early 2019 we completed drilling a bore at Beldon Park, Beldon. We have also drilled a bore at the nearby Gradient Park. Read more about the bore construction in Gradient Park.

Who can I contact?

Please email community.engagement@watercorporation.com.au or call (08) 9420 3488 if you would like more information about the project.

What’s the difference between the types of bores?

The recharge and monitoring bores are being constructed as part of the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme Expansion. The recharge bores will allow us to recharge highly treated, drinking quality recycled water into Perth’s deep underground aquifers to be stored for future abstraction, treatment and use. The monitoring bores will be used to sample groundwater at these locations.

The abstraction bores are being constructed to compliment the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme Expansion, allowing us to draw additional groundwater from Perth’s deep underground aquifers for treatment and use.

How are the bores constructed?

Construction involves site preparation and geotechnical surveys, drilling of the deep underground bores in stages, followed by construction of the above ground bore infrastructure including a pump and an electrical building.

How deep are the bores?

Bores are being drilled to Perth’s two deepest confined aquifers – the Leederville Aquifer between around 300 metres and 500 metres deep and the Yarragadee Aquifer between around 900 metres and 1400 metres deep.

Will construction of the bores impact my private bore?

No. We are drilling to Perth’s two deepest aquifers whereas private bores interact with the shallowest aquifer known as the Superficial Aquifer. As these aquifers are confined, they do not interact with each other.

Will construction of the bores impact local lakes and waterways?

No. We are drilling to Perth’s two deepest aquifers whereas lakes and waterways interact with the shallowest aquifer known as the Superficial Aquifer. As these aquifers are confined, they do not interact with each other.

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