The drive to tap alternative sources of water has been speeding up over the past few years and there can be little doubt that it has gained further impetus following the near civil disaster in the wake of last year’s severe drought in the Western Cape. On that occasion, it was a desalination plant that saved the day. However, this type of technology is well beyond the capabilities of domestic consumers, many of whom, instead, have been choosing to sink a borehole and to install a suitable pump.

The key to the success of this particular option is inherent in the adjective “suitable”. Ideally, the device should be of the type that is designed to operate when submerged rather than a surface-mounted unit. This is because it will never require manual priming, which can be a time-consuming process. Also, when located at the bottom of the shaft, any noise it produces will be effectively muffled while surface-mounted units tend to be quite noisy. In addition, because the surface-mounted type of borehole pump remains visible, it might tend to spoil the appearance of your garden unless you take steps to conceal it. That said, when located on the surface, they are easier to access if they require attention. However, the harsher environment above ground also means that they are inclined to need attention more frequently.

Noise, appearances, and accessibility, however, are not the only reasons for selecting a submersible unit. Due to the water pressure acting on a submerged borehole pump, water is forced into its inlet naturally, and so, no electrical power is required to do so. Overall, the associated running cost will, therefore, be significantly lower than that of running a surface-mounted unit. In practice, either type of pump could be operated far more cheaply if powered by the energy from a solar panel, but a submersible unit will still be the more efficient option.

As with any mechanical task, it is always important to pick the best tool for the job. In this case, that will not only mean opting for the submersible type of borehole pump, but also making quite certain that the model you choose will actually be capable of managing the task in hand. That task will be to raise water to the surface and to any elevated pipework above, from the actual depth of the pump beneath the ground. In turn, that total depth provides a measure of the head of pressure that will need to be overcome in order for the installed unit to complete its task.

From this, it is possible to determine the power of the submersible borehole pump that will be required for your installation to perform as efficiently as possible. It is, of course, assumed that the aquifer accessed is of sufficient capacity to provide the long-term capacity and flow rate that you need.

Access to groundwater offers a hedge against drought and rising municipal tariffs, as well as relieving pressure on reserves. However, it is a major investment, and so, it is important to get things right the first time. To ensure that choosing a borehole pump that is best for the job and of guaranteed quality, many South Africans choose Water Pump Group for expert advice and superior service.