Bores

Bore Cleaning & Rehabilitation: Restoring Performance and Protecting Your Investment

Over time, bores can become blocked by mineral scale, biofouling, and sediment buildup, leading to reduced water flow, higher energy costs, and poor water quality. Our comprehensive bore cleaning process combines mechanical and chemical methods to safely and effectively restore lost capacity. From diagnosis and development to structural repairs and video verification, we ensure your bore operates efficiently, delivers clean water, and remains a long-term asset.

Stages Of Treatment

Diagnose Lost Capacity

Assessment begins with identifying the cause of performance loss.
Common issues include mineral scale, iron or sulfur bacteria, or fine sediment blocking the screen and gravel pack.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure the correct treatment is applied.

Establish Specific Capacity

A short test pump is conducted both before and after treatment.
Confirms how much improvement has been achieved in flow rate and drawdown.
Provides measurable data to justify treatment value.

Bore Development (cleaning phase)

Mechanical and chemical cleaning methods are used in combination for the best results.
Techniques may include airlifting, brushing, surging, or chemical treatments to dissolve scale or biofilm.
Incorrect methods or chemicals can worsen the problem or reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation.

Structural Repairs

If the screen or casing is damaged, patching or full relining may be required.
Stainless steel relining is often used for long-term durability, especially in corrosive environments.

Rehabilitation Outcomes

A successful bore rehab can deliver significant benefits:

Restores lost capacity by clearing blockages and improving flow
Reduces pumping costs and extends pump lifespan
Extends the life of the bore structure and casing

Bore Video Logging

A downhole camera inspection is carried out before and after treatment.
Confirms the internal condition of the bore and documents the effectiveness of rehabilitation.
Provides transparency and assurance to the client.

Rehabilitation Benefits

Maintaining your existing bore through regular cleaning and rehabilitation is often far more cost-effective than drilling a new one—especially if the bore has historically been a strong performer. In many cases, even structural issues like deteriorating casing can be resolved by relining with stainless steel, allowing continued use of the original pump and avoiding the cost of a full system replacement.

1. Restoring Lost Capacity

Over time, bores can become clogged due to:

Mineral scale buildup
Biofouling (e.g., iron or sulfur-reducing bacteria)
Fine particles blocking the screen and surrounding aquifer formation

These blockages reduce water flow and bore efficiency. Rehabilitation clears these obstructions, restoring flow closer to original levels—often without the need for expensive drilling.

2. Reducing Pumping Costs

A clogged bore means the pump must work harder, leading to:

Increased energy use
Higher electricity bills
Faster wear on the pump

By reducing drawdown and improving flow, bore rehabilitation lowers operational costs and extends pump life—saving money in the long run.

3. Improving Water Quality

Clogging and contamination can lead to:

Stained water
Bad taste or odour
Clogged sprinklers or filtration systems

Rehabilitation tackles these issues at the source by removing biofilm and mineral buildup, significantly improving water quality for agricultural, stock, or domestic use.

4. Extending Bore Lifespan

Older bores, especially those with steel casing, are vulnerable to corrosion and structural deterioration. Left unchecked, this can lead to complete failure. Regular maintenance and timely rehabilitation can preserve the bore’s structural integrity—extending its service life by many years, or even decades.