FAQs
When did drilling commence?
Drilling commenced in early June 2022. Set up, drilling and clean up at each site took typically be 3 to 5 days at each drilling site. Drilling all 12 test bores took on average about 6 weeks.
Why did the Council drilled install a bore in Alma Park?
With grant funding Council installed a bore in Alma Park in 2020 to provide emergency water supply for parkland vegetation. This bore can only produce a small flow of water, insufficient for town supply. This is typical of bores drilled in tight granite-type rock.
Where were the test bores drilled?
The locations of test bores are shown on the map which can be download from Council’s website. Drilling locations are on road reserves, Crown land or other Council-controlled land.
Most of the bores are north of Uralla where the remains of ancient basalt rock sits over the top of granite rock, since the basalt is a better chance of yielding good groundwater. Other sites for test bores to the south and east of Uralla were chosen to check if large cracks or ‘faults’ in the granite are present that could hold good groundwater.
The locations are spread apart to learn as much as possible about the local geology and water-bearing strata.
Council worked closely with NSW Government agencies to make sure the test drilling sites are a long way from existing stock & domestic bores.
What if we don’t find a good source of groundwater?
If drilling, water testing and hydrogeological modelling show that local groundwater is not viable as a backup water source Council will need to consider alternative water sources to augment supply from Kentucky Creek Dam.
Council will continue to promote water conservation by residents and business to conserve this precious resource.
What is the groundwater project about?
From 2018 to 2020 Uralla Shire experienced a harsh drought. Severe water restrictions were imposed and Uralla’s sole water supply dam on Kentucky Creek fell below 25% of capacity. What water remained had levels of arsenic above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and so bottled water was provided to the community for an extended period of time. Council modified the water treatment plant process to remove arsenic and testing shows the treated water meets consumption guidelines. Since January 2021, rainfall patterns have improved, storage levels in Kentucky Dam levels have been high, and arsenic concentration in the dam has been low. Water supplied continues to meet the drinking water guidelines. This extreme drought coupled with earlier studies show that Uralla cannot rely just on Kentucky Creek Dam for its future water needs. Put simply, another bad drought will occur and when that happens Uralla will need a backup water supply to augment the supply from Kentucky Creek Dam. The NSW Government has provided Uralla Shire Council with a grant of $1.5M to investigate and develop an alternative water supply source. The initial focus of this grant is to see if there is a viable source of groundwater nearby to Uralla.