Water Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Irrigation Systems FAQs
How to select a controller and number of stations for my irrigation system?
There are a range of designs and makes of controllers across numerous reputable companies that can cater to your property’s exact needs.
We select a controller that fits your irrigation system needs during design, with the necessary elements covered and options presented where budget allows.
The number of outlets a station can effectively provide, and station numbers required for the completed system are directly proportionate to the water supply available to the site, measured in Litres Per Minute (Lpm).
If a station exceeds the available water flow, the heads will not operate properly, resulting in coverage issues.
I don’t know where my valves are, and I don’t have an installation diagram. Is it difficult to locate them?
Valve location and wiring faults can be amongst the most challenging tasks in the residential sector. How difficult it is very much depends on the age and installation standards of the system’s original design.
Despite this, there are tools and technologies that our tradesmen are equipped and knowledgeable in, that streamline this process. Valve location services are charged hourly due to the subjective nature of each system’s individual design.
What is the process and price to draft an actionable quote for an irrigation system?
An actionable quote is gladly provided upon request, free of charge, provided that a system design is not required. A service professional will visit and assess the relevant site to:
- Take water pressure measurements and pump specifications where applicable;
- Plan potential access runs for necessary services, both pipe-working and electrical, including access for running services beneath hard surfaces;
- Take head placement measurements and necessary part listings.
This information is then assessed and a quote is put together and sent through for assessment. If the on-site visit requires any work to be completed, likely if the tools are out, there might be a service charge, depending on the service provided. This is always discussed prior to any work being completed and charged.
Once finalised, any quote prices agreed upon will be honoured. In rare circumstances where situations could not be reasonably predicted, surcharges may be discussed, always prior to further action.
How much is a typical automated irrigation system installation?
Due to the varied nature of a properties watering distribution, spray coverage must be custom designed in order to be effective. The range of parts used and nature of the install itself can also widely vary by individual needs, leaving an on-site inspection the only effective method of cost estimation.
Due to the increased watering demand posed by agriculture and livestock watering, a bore water supply will likely be necessary, along with a water licence if irrigating land equal or greater than 0.2 ha (1/2 an acre). These factors will likely play into the final cost of your system and must be considered before a design can be finalised and presented.
Contact us to discuss your irrigation system design and budget.
How much is the typical reticulation system?
Due to the varied nature of garden and lawn layouts, spray coverage must be custom designed to be effective. The range of parts used and nature of the install itself can also widely vary by individual need, leaving an onsite inspection the only effective method of cost estimation.
I don’t know how my system works, will you demonstrate it to me upon completion?
We provide a complete explanation of the system’s entirety and run all interested parties through the various functions and settings of both the controller and stations subject to it, and for larger systems we do an on-site walk-through and handover.
A sheet with station information and our contact information will be present on the door of any controller we install for future follow up or query.
What brand of irrigation products do you supply and recommend?
Although products used may vary across different tasks, our chosen product supplies are predominantly made up of the Hunter™ sprinkler range, recognised as the market leader in sprinkler innovation. Other reputable examples include, but are not limited to, Toro™, Philmac™ and Weathermatic™.
Why does my sprinkler system leak water even when the system is off?
If your sprinkler system or a single station continues to run or water pools at the heads while it is not supposed to operate, you could be experiencing one of these two likely scenarios:
- A zone valve, main valve or both of them are not sealing – this is the most common reason for leakage is debris obstructing the valve membrane or diaphragm, which will require disassembly of the valve, rinse and flush of all components and re-assembly. If components are damaged they will likely require replacement.
- Low Head Drainage – this will occur at the lowest point in the station layout and can be a sizeable issue if your station is quite large, as water will continue to drain until the pipework is empty. This can be amended with the installation of check valves on affected sprinklers or lateral station piping.
What type of maintenance will I have to carry out on my bore?
The most important factor is that the installation is handled properly. Maintenance costs can be significantly presented if the construction of the bore is done right in the first place. This is why we don’t compromise on the quality of our bore drilling teams and processes. The model and size of pump also affect the health of the bore, so they need to be carefully selected and tailored to the bore and irrigation needs.
After the installation, you should keep an eye out for signs of damage or corrosion, and you can also test the water quality through samples.
What are the implications of poor irrigation management?
Water is a valuable resource, and it doesn’t come cheap. If you have an efficient irrigation system, then you’re going to have a more attractive landscape, a more profitable farm, and a low water bill.
Water moves pesticides and fertilisers utilised in your crops into groundwater, which can impacts the safety of the groundwater coming from your bore. This can impact your health, your property and the environment.
Water is limited and the more of it that we use, the less there will be for other uses.
Bore Drilling FAQs
How long is the installation of a water bore in Perth?
Generally, it takes us one day to drill and construct a bore up to 50 metres. We can arrange to get your pump installation and connection to irrigation system the next day. In all, the project takes about 2 days.
Depending on the depth of the drilling, the construction of the hole itself can take longer. Bores into the confined and semi-confined Mirrabooka and Leederville aquifers are a longer process, as they are often deeper and have generally require a pilot bore so that a wireline log is conducted and sent to Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for their approval, before the final bore and construction can be finalised. In this case, the project takes about a week once the drilling itself commences.
What type of maintenance will I have to carry out on my bore?
The most important factor is that the installation is handled properly. Maintenance costs can be significantly presented if the construction of the bore is done right in the first place. This is why we don’t compromise on the quality of our bore drilling teams and processes. The model and size of pump also affect the health of the bore, so they need to be carefully selected and tailored to the bore and irrigation needs.
After the installation, you should keep an eye out for signs of damage or corrosion, and you can also test the water quality through samples.
When should I water?
You should set your system to water on your scheduled days. The optimum watering time is in the early morning. This allows the water to reach the roots without being evaporated or blown away. It’s also effective in preventing fungus or disease that is often caused by water sitting overnight on plants.
Do I need to apply for any licences?
We recommend you contact us directly so we can provide advice specific to your situation.
In general, most commercial or large properties in proclaimed areas (from the Hills line to the Coast) need a licence to drill and utilise the bore. If you are doing any of the following you’ll most likely need a groundwater licence to take water:
- Irrigating more than 1/2 an acre (2,000 square meters)
- Using the bore for commercial activity (feedlots, agriculture, construction, etc)
- Looking to utilise an aquifer deeper than the Superficial aquifer (bores generally deeper than 30 metres)
Another type of licence is a 26D licence to drill a borehole, which you need in case you are:
- Using the bore for commercial activity
- Looking to drill into a confined or semi-confined aquifer (bores generally deeper than 60 metres)
To ensure you are compliant with the legislation applicable to you, contact us so we can assess your property and give you specific advice for your situation.
Can I prevent the staining from my bore?
Although Iron Bacteria can never be completely eliminated, as it lives naturally in many of the formations and aquifers, it can be regulated using a range of low impact, non-toxic chemicals to remove the bulk of bacterial substrate. This in turn reduces the amount of visible stain and odour.
Frequency of application is determined by the severity of the subterranean infection and subsequent staining. Existing staining can then be removed by a number of commercially available compounds such as X-Fe.
Other methods of stain prevention involve the design of your station spray coverage, minimising over-spray and infrastructure obstruction will reduce the impact of the staining while reducing the cost of stain removal considerably.
We offer decontamination and restoration services for problematic bores as well as treatment and filtration solutions.
Although iron bacteria can make water unsightly and cause an unpleasant taste and odour; there is currently no health risk associated with iron bacteria. There are also no active health concerns regarding iron presence in bore or drinking water.
Outside of visible staining, iron bacteria contributes to a great deal of system strain, such as pump corrosion, flow restriction, poor system operation and unpleasant working conditions for servicemen. If left to develop, it can lead to system failure, requiring costly repair or even pump replacement.
Can I maintain my bore during the winter sprinkler ban?
Leaving your pump and bore inactive over the entirety of winter is a hazardous corrosion risk, particularly where ones water supply is high in salts or iron.
As per Department of Water and Environmental Regulation guidelines, included below, it is legal to run your bore for one of your allotted watering days for a maximum station run time of 2 minutes. This is vital to keeping your pump and equipment in serviceable condition.
“The maintenance of garden bores is important and under the legislation a person does not commit an offence if the person operates a reticulation system, using domestic bore water to the minimum extent necessary while the reticulation system is being installed, maintained, tested or repaired.
We deem the ‘minimum extent necessary’ to be no more than two minutes per station. Running your reticulation longer than this may be deemed as watering your garden.
We recommend you carry out work on your sprinkler roster days, either before 9am or after 6pm.”
How deep do you have to drill?
Depths can vary greatly depending on the area and target groundwater formation. As a general guideline:
- In residential and flat areas, Superficial Mud drilling is about 20 – 50 metres. We drill past the water table and into water-producing sands for better water flow and consistency throughout the year.
- In the Perth Hills and inland, Superficial Granite drilling can go anywhere within 30 – 100 metres and beyond. We are targeting a fracture in the rocks underground, and depths can vary greatly.
- For Confined Aquifers, the target area can be within the range of 60 – 300 metres, the exact depth will depend on the area the property is in.
If your area is mapped by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, you can get a guide for what depth you should expect for the superficial aquifer. The water maps aren’t always correct – we’ll be happy to give you insights into drilling in your are that we gather from our drilling jobs in your area.
We can give you an estimate of the expected depth for your bore. Contact us today to discuss your bore.
How do I get a bore drilled?
It’s easy – speak to us.
BD Water has all your water bore needs covered. We can construct Level 1 (Superficial or Fractures) and Level 2 (Confined; Mirrabooka and Leederville Aquifers) bores.
Drilling contractors generally specialise in a particular type of drilling and area, where they’re comfortable they’ll get the best results. That’s why we have multiple different rig set-ups and operators to ensure we can get the very best result in every situation. All our drillers are licensed and some of the very best in the business.
You can otherwise look to engage a drilling service yourself. Unfortunately the quality of work varies greatly in this industry, which can easily result in an undesired outcome. Be careful going for the cheapest service provider, as this can often result in a disappointing outcome when corners are cut and quotes are purposely under-priced to win the job.
How much is a water bore drill in Perth?
It depends heavily on what you’re looking to achieve with the bore and where you’re drilling it.
Costing is generally worked out on a per meter basis, which will include drilling the bore, inserting the PVC casing and air developing of the bore until the water is clear of any muds. Our rates vary depending on the type of drilling, bore construction design, equipment required, size of the bore, etc.
Contact us today for a custom quote, obligation-free.
What is an Aquifer?
An aquifer is a body of water below the ground that is made of permeable rock, soil or clay that enables water to flow through it. Aquifers are generally referred to as confined and unconfined.
- Unconfined Aquifers (eg. Superficial) are naturally able to transfer water with the environment around it, such as a river, lake or the ground surface above. These are generally closer to the surface. Due to the unconfined nature, these aquifers are readily accessed and can vary greatly in production quantity and quality.
- Confined Aquifers (eg. Mirrabooka & Leederville) are separated and contained to a ground layer and area. These can still be extremely large, however, they are naturally sealed from other aquifers and environments, generally via an impermeable layer of clay, and should not blend with other aquifers. These bodies of water can still be accessed via a bore, although it is vital that they are sealed off during the drilling. As these bodies are enclosed, they can often produce very consistent production quantity and quality, usually at higher bore drilling costs, due to the depths and construction specifications required.
Licence Trading FAQs
Do I need to apply for any licences?
We recommend you contact us directly so we can provide advice specific to your situation.
In general, most commercial or large properties in proclaimed areas (from the Hills line to the Coast) need a licence to drill and utilise the bore. If you are doing any of the following you’ll most likely need a groundwater licence to take water:
- Irrigating more than 1/2 an acre (2,000 square meters)
- Using the bore for commercial activity (feedlots, agriculture, construction, etc)
- Looking to utilise an aquifer deeper than the Superficial aquifer (bores generally deeper than 30 metres)
Another type of licence is a 26D licence to drill a borehole, which you need in case you are:
- Using the bore for commercial activity
- Looking to drill into a confined or semi-confined aquifer (bores generally deeper than 60 metres)
To ensure you are compliant with the legislation applicable to you, contact us so we can assess your property and give you specific advice for your situation.
What is water licensing?
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation started regulating the water use in WA because, simply put, we’re taking more water out of the ground than what’s going back in. This results in water levels dropping.
A groundwater licence is one of the ways DWER monitors and manages the amount of water being abstracted.
Water licences allow their holders to take more groundwater that the unlicensed standard amount to irrigate 1/2 an acre (2,000 square meters).
Do you represent the Department of Water?
No. BD Water is a private business and we do not represent the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. BD Water owns Water Manager, which is also independent from DWER.
All information we provide is our own interpretation of their documentation and if unsure please contact us or confirm with DWER directly.
Does the water licence come with the property I’ve purchased?
By default, no.
In your contract of sale of the land, the licence transfer is usually included as a condition for the sale. However, this does not start the licence transfer process and the property settlement does not automatically transfer ownership of the water licence into your name.
You must notify the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation that there has been a change in ownership of the licence within 30 days of settlement. If you do not notify them, you will risk losing the allocation.
To notify, you must apply for a licence transfer. We can handle the licence transfer on your behalf. You can simply talk to us, and we will go through the whole process with you.
How do I buy/sell a licence?
Traditionally you’ll need to find a buyer/seller in the same water resource you’re allowed to trade with, and offer to buy/sell part or the full allocation. Using our platform, Water Manager, you can list licences for sale or find licences available to purchase on your exact property.
Both parties have to fill our a licence transfer form and submit it to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The trade will then go through due diligence with DWER, which usually takes multiple months before approved.
The process will look at the following:
- Are you seeking to trade within your designated groundwater sub-area and aquifer?
- Is the seller’s licence fully compliant with the regulations and licence conditions?
- Is the allocation is currently being fully utilised?
- What is the new intent for the allocation?
- Are there any environment incumbents?
- Does the new owner of the allocation have the infrastructure in place to utilise the allocation or the capability to construct it?
Alternatively, you can talk to us. You can let us find you a buyer/seller for your trade, handle all the paperwork according to the current regulations and guidelines, and interface on your behalf with DWER. We will take care of the whole process, making it simple and streamlined for you.
Can I get a new water licence issued?
Generally, no.
The majority of areas and aquifers are over allocated, meaning there is more water being extracted from the ground then there is replenishing the supply (via rainfall). This means no more new licences are being issued, certainly not around the denser areas of Perth.
There are some cases where a temporary allocation may be issued but this is generally reserved for construction works or emergency situations.
Generally, the only option for getting an allocation is to trade it with someone else. More info about water trading on Water Manager.
You can call us to discuss your situation, we can help you decipher if you are eligible for a new licence, or advise you of your options.
Can I trade licences with anyone?
No. You are only allowed to trade water within the same water resource. A water resource is the combination of groundwater area, sub-area & aquifer.
- For the semi-confined aquifers Mirrabooka and Leederville, the trading range isn’t very restricted, as the sub-areas cover a wide geographical area.
- For the Superficial aquifer, the groundwater sub-areas are geographical boundaries that put a more significant limit on the water resources. The same suburb can have 3-4 different sub-areas within itself.
You can check what water resource your property is in, and which licences are available for purchase on your property, via Water Manager. Our platform makes it easy to find buyers or sellers, and you can be sure you are trading with parties you are allowed to.