Water security still a priority – Bore drilling and pumping tests to commence

30 June 2021

Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) is now moving forward with investigations
of alternative water supply for the local region.

Residents whose properties adjoin public
roadways proposed for bore drilling and pumping tests are advised that weather
permitting work will be carried out for test drilling and pumping tests through
July and August 2021.

The
Bore rejuvenation and investigations for
new bores project is funded by the Queensland Government’s 2019-21 Local
Government Grants and Subsidies program and the recently announced Drought
Resilience Program for Southern Downs.

One of the areas of investigation is to
determine the feasibility of accessing Council’s 100ML/a groundwater
entitlement in the Cunningham Alluvium and identify additional availability of
groundwater sources to supplement region’s water supply. To date investigations
undertaken by Council has identified 5 sites between Warwick and Pratten for
drilling and pumping tests.

The
results of the drilling and testing program will confirm the extent to which
the bores could possibly contribute to the Warwick water supply system. Should
it be determined that there is viable yield and existing entitlements serving
the Warwick water supply system, further work may be done to determine where
and how the bore supplies should be integrated into the existing water supply
system.

Identified sites include Wheatvale-Plains
Road, Toolburra Plains Road, Condamine River Road (Pratten) as well as
decommissioned SDRC bore sites at Lyndhurst Lane and Gray Lane.

Bore drilling will comprise a pilot bore and
possibly a monitoring bore to a depth of approximately 20m below ground level,
terminating at the base of the alluvium.

Should
final investigations indicate that a viable and sustainable bore supply system
can be developed, works would likely be progressed to construct and commission these
bores.

Weather permitting, works will commence in
early July. All the affected residents will be contacted individually prior to
commencement of work at each site. Council thanks the community for their
patience whilst this valuable body of work is carried out as part of Council’s
ongoing work to ensure water security for our region.