Fast Bore Cleaning in Remote WA — The Bore Hole Collar Recycling Strategy

When you’re working in remote Western Australia, every hour of bore downtime can impact production. Whether the issue is iron oxide, calcium, or gypsum fouling, a fast and effective cleaning strategy can make all the difference. Using products like BoreSaver Ultra C, EZ ECO, or GypKleen, the goal is simple — restore performance quickly and keep critical infrastructure online until a full redevelopment can be scheduled.

The Rationale

Not every bore requires a full-scale rehabilitation. Sometimes the priority is to remove the bulk of fouling, restore flow, and reduce downtime. This is where the Bore Hole Collar Recycling Strategy comes in — a low-cost, rapid cleaning method designed for high-flow bores such as those found on mine sites or government water supplies.

The Approach

The innovation lies in keeping the pump in place.By lifting the headworks approximately 500 mm and fitting a pre-made collar, operators can connect a large snap-lock flexible pipe from the pump outlet directly back down into the casing. This can as in this case just be two blocks of wood!

This setup allows the discharge to be recycled through the bore — a process that effectively cleans the pump and surrounding well area without full pump removal.

While not intended as a complete rehabilitation, this approach achieves fast, practical results. It restores output efficiency and buys valuable time before a more comprehensive redevelopment is needed.

The Pump Cycling Method

This method focuses on cleaning the pump and near-well zone through controlled recirculation. It is ideal for light to moderate fouling, or when pump extraction is not logistically or economically viable.

Application Steps

1. Modify the headworks to allow discharge to be directed back into the bore.

   • A simple hose can suffice for smaller systems.

   • For higher flow rates, discharge into a tank that feeds back into the well.

2. Add the treatment chemical (BoreSaver Ultra C, EZ ECO, or GypKleen) to the casing or via the recirculation tank.

3. Recycle the flow for a minimum of 8 hours, ensuring the pump does not overheat or run dry.

4. Top up the bore with approximately 100 litres of clean water.

5. Rest the pump for 12–24 hours to allow the cleaner to react.

6. Recycle again for at least 2 hours.

7. Purge to waste, following all environmental regulations for wastewater disposal.

8. Flush by adding fresh water to remove residual cleaner and by-products.

9. Test pump performance and water quality during purging.

10. Reconnect the headworks and return the bore to service.

Field Example

The images below show the technique in action on a government water supply bore in remote Western Australia.A simple collar setup (two large blocks of wood) was fabricated on-site — demonstrating the versatility and practicality of this method. Despite the basic field conditions, the system delivered strong results, cleaning the bore effectively without removing the pump.

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