By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council has reportedly had success in their initial bore tests, with three sites reportedly showing good signs.
Emergency town water bores are being investigated, with five sites confirmed.
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.
Reportedly, the Wheatvale and Condamine sites have found success, as well as another site.
So far “indications are pretty good,” according to those involved.
SDRC is aiming to determine the feasibility of accessing council’s 100ML/a groundwater entitlement in the Cunningham Alluvium, and identify any additional availability of groundwater sources to supplement the region’s water supply.
A council spokesperson stated that “council is currently conducting a number of bore tests across the region to shore up future water security”.
“Investigations are ongoing and results are pending on pumping tests to be conducted once the bore drilling is complete.”
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 investigations find a viable source, further work may be done to determine how the bore supplies should be integrated into the existing Warwick water supply system.
If it is determined that a viable and sustainable bore water supply system can be developed from the sites, works would likely be progressed to construct and commission these bores.
Bore drilling is comprised of a pilot bore and possibly a monitoring bore to a depth of approximately 20 metres below ground level, terminating at the base of the alluvium.
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.