
5 Simple Steps to Get Your Rural Property Summer-Ready (and avoid buying water)
Posted by Lachlan McIntosh on
If you run a rural or acreage property on the Sunshine Coast, you probably rely on bores, tanks or dams instead of mains water. That’s great for independence — but when summer hits, demand rises and systems that haven’t been checked can leave you short, or paying for trucked water. A little preparation now could save you hundreds and a lot of stress.
Below is a straight-forward, step-by-step plan to get your property summer-ready. If you want us to do it for you, book a bore and water assessment — we’ll test, inspect and give you a practical plan.
Step 1 — Start with a water check: is it safe and usable?
Before you worry about supply, check water quality.
- Test bore, tank or dam water for bacteria, iron, sediment and other contaminants.
- Review your filtration: does it match the water source? Replace cartridges now if they’re overdue.
- If water is used for drinking or cooking, get a professional water test and filtration recommendation.
Why it matters: bad water can damage appliances, harm livestock, and cost time and money to fix later.
Step 2 — Know how much water you have
Don’t guess — measure.
- Have your bore flow tested so you know hourly/daily output.
- Check tank capacities and current levels.
- Inspect dams for obvious issues (blockages, leaks, intake problems).
Why it matters: knowing exact supply helps plan irrigation, household use and whether you need extra storage or a second bore.
Step 3 — Book a bore assessment (the most important step)
A professional bore assessment tells you whether your bore and pump are fit for summer demand.
An assessment typically includes:
- Flow and recovery testing
- Pump performance check (wear, noise, power draw)
- Water quality sampling
- A recommendation: repair, service, upgrade, automation, or drilling a second bore
Why it matters: a failing bore pump or poor yield is the reason most properties need emergency water. Fix it early and you avoid buying water at short notice.
Step 4 — Service, upgrade or change your pump
Your pump is the heart of the system — treat it that way.
- Start up and inspect pumps now: unusual noises, low pressure, or overheats are warning signs.
- Clean or replace inline and pre-filters.
- Ask whether a more energy-efficient pump or a solar bore pump makes sense — solar can cut running costs and increase reliability in the long run.
- We offer full pump maintenance, servicing, and replacements.
Why it matters: an efficient, well-maintained pump uses less power and is less likely to fail when you need it.
Step 5 — Build redundancy and smarter delivery
Plan for the “what if”.
- Add transfer pumps so you can move water between tanks or from dam to tank.
- Increase storage if your usage spikes in summer.
- Consider automation or smart controllers to prioritise essential supply and reduce waste.
- If needed, we can advise on drilling a second bore as a long-term solution.
Why it matters: having a backup or the ability to switch sources avoids downtime and costly emergency water deliveries.
What an Aqua-Power assessment gives you
If you book with us we’ll:
- Carry out full bore flow and pump checks
- Run water quality tests (bore/tank/dam) and advise on filtration or cartridge changes
- Inspect storage, piping and irrigation for leaks or inefficiencies
- Provide a clear, written plan and quote — from simple maintenance to solar bore pumps or drilling a new bore
We’ll talk you through options, explain potential savings, and recommend only what you need.
Quick checklist before you go
- Do a basic water test this week
- Note current tank levels and pump behaviour
- Book a bore assessment if you haven’t had one in 12–24 months
- Replace filtration cartridges if they’re overdue
- Consider solar bore options or extra storage
Getting this right now could save you hundreds (or more) in emergency water costs and last-minute repairs. If you’d rather we do the legwork, book an Aqua-Power assessment — we’ll inspect your bore, pumps and water systems and map out a practical summer plan tailored to your property.
Ready to be summer-ready? Book a bore assessment with Aqua-Power and let’s make sure your water keeps flowing.