Edition 48, August 2007

Qld court case highlights need to employ licensed water drillers

A man was fined $12,487 and ordered to rectify a bore on a property at South Kurumbil to comply with minimum standards under the Water Act 2000 (Qld). The defendant was operating an unlicensed drilling business in 2004 when the offence occurred.

Licensed drillers are expected to meet exacting standards, which are in place to protect underground water resources.

The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water is aware of a number of instances where landholders had performed work themselves or had hired unqualified drillers to do the work at a discount rate.

The Queensland Government has introduced legislation controlling the construction of water bores to ensure the continued protection of groundwater. About 40% of South West Queensland's water is from underground supplies with many towns and properties relying on this resource for domestic use.

The licensing system provides a series of checks to ensure only competent and qualified persons become licensed. Qualified contractors are essential to protect not only the resource from contamination, but to protect landholders from possible harm if the bore being drilled is for domestic consumption.

For more information visit www.nrw.qld.gov.au to download a copy of the Water Bore Driller's Licensing Handbook 

 

This page was generated on 18 February, 2010