Stages Of Drilling a Borehole

Our expert team is here to guide you through the drilling process step-by-step, from selecting the right location and equipment to the final stages of completion. With our comprehensive resources and professional advice, you can feel confident in successfully drilling your own borehole.

 

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Overview

Step 1 Of The Drilling Process

STEP 1: Water Survey (Divining)

You, as the client, can decide where you would like the installation to be positioned.

We will provide our complete assessment and make necessary recommendations should the position you chose not be suitable. There are various ways in which the location of water can be best surveyed.

  • One way is to have the water be doused or divined. Diviners use various means of detecting water such as sticks, rods and water bottles, to name a few. When passing over the water point diviners claim to “feel” the water.
  • Another way is with the assistance of a Hydrogeologist who uses various geophysical methods to survey the subsurface geology. These geophysical techniques in urban areas are sometimes made unreliable due to the interference from cellphone towers, overhead cables and other electrical services.

The suitability of a site will depend on the geology of the area and your water requirements. The geology and level of the water table will determine at what depth water can be found and in what quantities.

Do you guarantee to find water?

It is impossible to 100% guarantee that water can be found at a given site but we would hope that through our initial discussions and research before drilling we have a clear idea of the ground conditions and likely yield. We would not undertake a job that we felt could not meet your requirements.

Based on our experience and knowledge of the geology of Gauteng we can be confident about the expected yield. Our track record is about 98% successful boreholes.

Overview

Step 2 Of The Drilling Process

STEP 2: THE DRILLING PROCESS

After the water survey has taken place, the borehole drilling can proceed at the identified spot.

Once the drilling commences, communication with the client is clear and persists at all time. This way the client is updated in terms of the depth of drilling, costs involved and general geological findings.

The drilling rig we use can access just about any part of your garden as long as there is an access points that is 1,8m wide and 1,8m high.

Since ground formation varies from area to area it is difficult to postulate on the depth of a borehole. Suffice to say that most boreholes are between 30m – 60m, although many boreholes are drilled to 80m and sometimes deeper. It is not always viable to have a borehole that is drilled beyond 120m as the cost to run the borehole pump may exceed the cost of the water.

How long does it take to drill a borehole?

It depends on the depth and the type of material which the driller expects to encounter. It really depends on the hardness of the material which the driller encounters on his way down. If he encounters a lot of rock for example, this is going to lengthen the drilling process. Depending on the depth and rock formation a borehole can take anything from a day to three days to drill.

Are you insured?

We are comprehensively insured with 3rd party liability. However, our terms and conditions state that we are not liable for any damage to property or injury or death to any person. The onus is on the client to advise the contractor of any services and existing infrastructures on the property.

Overview

Step 3 In The Drilling Process

STEP 3: Equipping of the borehole

The final stage of the sequence of events is to pump and pipe (reticulate) the water from the successful borehole.  The end use of the water will to a large extent determine what type of pumping and reticulation system is to be installed.  Of paramount importance to the pump installer are the results of the pumping (or yield) tests – how much water can be pumped out the borehole for how long a period? That is, what is the sustainable yield of the borehole.

General factors influencing the size of the pump to be installed will be the following:

  • The clients’ water demand.
  • Depth of the hole.
  • Actual water yield of the borehole

Depending on the geological formation, there should be a borehole rest period before the pump can be installed. The drilling contractor will advise the client accordingly.

How long does the pump installation take?

Borehole installation with a pump can take about a day or two. Connected to a tank system, the borehole installation can take a further 2 days.

Will my borehole need a pump?

Usually, yes. A submersible pump is electrically operated pump which is located at the bottom of the borehole to bring water to the surface. However, if the underground supply is under pressure, this creates an artesian well where water simply flows out, and which does not require a pump.

How reliable is a submersible pump?

We only install high-specification equipment and they are very reliable. But a number of operational factors have an influence, such as low mains voltage. “Aggressive’ water, which is exceptionally acidic or alkaline, can have an impact as well. However, replacing a pump is normally a straightforward process—small domestic type pumps are suspended on a nylon rope to enable it to be brought to the surface. The changeover time will usually take anything from 3 hours to 5 hours on-site.

Address

Els Park Germiston

Phone

083 446 4226

Email

betty@brdsa.co.za

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