Bore water testing must be carried out and the water certified safe before being used for drinking, cooking, swimming pools, spas or watering edible plants such as home grown vegetables.
Bore Water Contamination
Bore water can, unfortunately, be contaminated with faeces (poo) and chemicals such as PFAS, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons & nitrates. Some contaminants, such as solvents, can be odourless and colourless in bore water.The Health Department recommends that bore water quality be tested at least once every 2 years because contamination can occur at any time.
Bore water contamination is mainly due to the past practices of manufacturing, industry, agriculture, use of PFAS firefighting foams and burial of waste products.
Water quality can be quite different from bore to bore, even if they are located in close proximity.
Home grown fruit & vegetables can be unsafe to eat if they are being watered with contaminated bore water.
Testing requirements vary between private bores and commercial or community-based bores. All bores must have microbiological (E. coli) and chemical quality testing before use. Our water management specialists, with over 45 years experience, can advise you of what testing is required to comply with the Department for Environment and Water, EPA & Health Department requirements.
NATA Accredited Laboratory
All bore water testing should be done by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. Water Management Australia Pty Ltd provides a free service to collect & sample all bores throughout South Australia & Victoria. Please contact our laboratory on 08 8557 4347 or lab@watermanagementaustralia.com.au to arrange sampling and bore water testing, or for a no obligation free quotation.
If at any stage there are changes in appearance or odour of bore water, immediate water quality testing must be carried out to ensure the water is still fit for purpose.
Water Management Australia Pty Ltd provides a Certificate of Analysis for all water testing and will provide assistance with interpretation of your test results & any recommended treatment methods required to bring your bore water to the required standard. SA Health are able to assist with interpretation of test results via email waterquality@sa.gov.au
Regular bore water testing should be part of your documented Bore Water Risk Management Plan. Water Management Australia Pty Ltd can develop this plan for you.
A water licence is required to use bore water for any purpose other than for household domestic use or for the watering of stock. To find out more information please visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/water/water-licences-and-permits/central-adelaide
Poor quality bore water can: create alkaline soil due to high levels of calcium, cause berries & fruit to dye off, reduce grapes fruiting due to high chloride levels, block spray nozzles with calcium & magnesium carbonate, and reduce weight gain in birds & stock.
Salinity levels when stock production declines are 2,000 ppm for poultry & pigs, 4,000 ppm for horses, 6,000 ppm for mature sheep, 3,800 ppm for nursing ewes & lambs, 4,000 ppm for mature cattle and 3,200 ppm for lactating cattle & calves.
Telephone: 08 8557 4347 Email: lab@watermanagementaustralia.com.au
