5 Simple Steps to Get Your Rural Property Summer-Ready (and avoid buying water)

5 Simple Steps to Get Your Rural Property Summer-Ready (and avoid buying water)

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.