The advantages of having a source of water that could allow your household to become, at least, partially independent of the municipal supply are obvious. Not only could it result in a marked reduction in your monthly bill, but it could also help to counteract the effects of the impending water crisis that now threatens much of South Africa. Long before it will be time for the borehole pump installation and the big switch on, however, there are a number of other essential of the project that will first need to be taken care of.

Underground rivers flow in areas where the bedrock is sufficiently fractured to facilitate their passage. Known as aquifers, to access their content, a shaft is drilled to penetrate them. To ensure drilling is done in the right place will require a hydrological survey. This will not only locate an aquifer if one is present, but should also provide a reasonable idea of its potential yield before proceeding with the borehole drilling and installation.

Armed with the knowledge of where and how deep to drill, the drilling team can proceed with its task. Drilling rigs are large, and it may be necessary to remove a section of a garden wall in order for the team to gain access and to replace it on completion. Ensuring the water does not become contaminated by the soil is important, and this is achieved by fitting a stainless-steel liner that must extend from the surface into the bedrock. Once the liner is in position, a couple of tests will need to be performed before completing the installation.

Water is pumped over a period in order to estimate the potential yield and the flow rate – the speed at which it is released from the rock. Where the rock releases its water quickly, a storage tank may not be necessary, otherwise, a surface-mounted tank and, possibly, a transfer pump might be needed. During this stage, a potable water test will also be conducted to provide a breakdown of the chemical and bacterial content of the abstracted water. Based on the results of this test, the team can determine what additional water treatment equipment might be necessary.

Now is the time to complete the borehole installation. On sites where the water is released slowly, a single speed model, fitted with dry-run protection is recommended, while a variable speed model is the better choice in locations where the flow rate is high. The latter allows the pressure to be adjusted and reduces running costs.

With the pump in position and operational, the groundworks can be completed, and any necessary pipes and cables can be connected to the control system and the mains supply. During this stage, any water treatment equipment needed to clean up the output from the borehole installation will also be installed.

Tapping into an underground water source is a complex process and one that will be best handled by a company with extensive experience of every stage of that process rather than resorting to multiple sub-contractors. If you are looking for a one-stop solution that will cover everything from surveying and drilling to the borehole pump installation and groundwork, just talk to our team.