Drilling a borehole in your home can provide a reliable source of water for household and agricultural use even during a drought. Among the most important logistics before drilling a bore is choosing the ideal location. The site you choose can determine the amount of water available in the bore; therefore, the site selection should be made carefully. Here are some of the key factors that should influence your decision when selecting the suitable bore site.
Slope of the land
The slope of the land on the bore site should be taken into consideration. The ground surrounding the site should be sloping away and not towards it. If the ground slopes towards the bore, the chances of contamination from runoff, septic systems, and other water bodies are increased. As a result, you may end up drawing unsafe water from the bore. Always choose a bore site on flat land or where the land is sloping away from the desired location.
Proximity from other bores
If you are living in an area with booming agricultural activities or constant shortage of water, there’s a chance that other people around your area have bores as well. You should make sure that the location you choose is not close to other bores that have already been drilled. If it is, the water pressure in your bore can reduce, and you may not be able to pump water efficiently to the required areas. Choose a location that’s further away from other existing bores.
Power source
Most bores use electrical powered or solar powered pumps to pump the water from the bore to the outlets. When using a solar powered pump, you can have the bore on any part of your property. However, for electric pumps, you will need to ensure that the power source is close to the bore. Alternatively, you will have to run electrical cords from the primary power source to the pump. Consider such logistics, their efficiency, and costs before choosing a particular bore location.
Groundwater level
Assessing the groundwater level in your area is essential when choosing a bore location. Some sites have a higher water table than others, and these are the ones that you should target for maximum water pressure. Have a qualified inspector assess all the potential areas to determine their groundwater levels. Once you get the results, you can choose the location with the highest water table to drill your bore.
How does water borehole drilling work?
Though every project will have its own individual requirements, the process of water borehole drilling generally follows the same steps. It starts with a hydrogeologist visiting the site for an assessment. They can identify where the water is, if any, and the best way to access it.
It’s important to have an expert assess the geophysical properties of the site and soil, using a range of techniques to determine the conditions. This means no drilling will take place until we’re certain that the site is suitable, and we know exactly which method and equipment to use.
After mapping the site and planning the borehole, we can proceed with the drilling in line with the hydrogeologist’s recommendations. We subsequently reinforce the borehole with a casing of steel, PVC, or both to securely maintain its structure through challenging outdoor conditions.
Next, we install a test pump, which we use to run a series of tests on a range of variables. The results will reveal how the drilled borehole will impact the water level, and which measures are required to control these changes. This will inform the final choice of water pumping system to install.
How much space is needed for a water borehole?
Whether the area is rural or urban, water boreholes usually don’t require as much space as people may think. Since it’s a vertical shaft, the depth tends to be far larger than the diameter. For example, a domestic water borehole designed to fit in a garden or driveway could be 50-70 meters deep, but just 0.11-0.15 meters across.
However, these holes can go as deep as 200 meters or more. Commercial water boreholes are typically wider, with diameters of 0.25-0.45 meters, but only drilled to a depth of around 100 meters. In non-rural areas, they can be fitted with a discreet cover set into the ground to make it safe to walk or drive over them.
That said, there’s no ‘standard’ diameter or depth for a drilled water borehole. Measurements should be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the site geology and how far you have to drill to reach groundwater. Additionally, the larger the volume of water you need to draw, the larger the borehole should be.
The construction work itself is likely to require more space, not least for the borehole drilling rig to access the site without disruption. There must be sufficient distance between the borehole and other structures, including underground pipes and cables and overground fences or walls, to avoid potential collapse and contamination.
Conclusion
Consider these factors before choosing the perfect site to drill a bore in your property. You can have an experienced bore drilling contractor help you to decide the ideal location if you have trouble settling for a particular site. Mazero Agrifood is here to assist you with any inquiries you may have. Contact us on +254729777711 for more information.