How does borehole drilling work in Kenya?
Do you need access to a reliable supply of water? Why not consider drilling a borehole? It’s a perfect solution that is gaining popularity among farmers, site managers, and property owners. If you have a piece of land in drier regions where water supply is scarce, you need a plan B that will supply you 24/7.
How does borehole drilling work in Kenya?
Generally, each project has unique requirements, although the process of drilling a borehole is all the same.
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It starts with a site selection and survey. A hydrologist visits your site and identifies a suitable drilling location based on geological conditions, hydrogeological surveys, accessibility, and proximity to water sources. They conduct surveys to assess the underground water potential and
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Permitting and regulatory compliance. Before drilling commences, the drilling company needs to obtain the necessary permits and approvals from relevant authorities like NEMA and Water Resources Authority (WRA).
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Drilling operations. Once the site is selected and permits are obtained, drilling equipment is mobilized to the location. The drilling process involves using a drilling rig equipped with tools like casing pipes, drill bits, and mud pumps The rig drills vertically into the ground, penetrating through layers of soil, rock, and aquifers to reach the water table.
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Installation of casing and screen. As the borehole is drilled deeper, steel casing pipes are inserted into the hole to maintain stability and prevent collapse. The casing helps prevent contamination of the borehole by surface water and other pollutants. Screens may be installed to filter out sediment and allow water to enter the borehole from the surrounding aquifer.
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Well, development and testing. After reaching the desired depth, a borehole undergoes well development to remove drilling mud, debris, and fine particles from the aquifer. This is done using techniques like jetting, pumping, and surging. Next, the borehole is tested to assess its yield, water quality, and sustainability. Pump tests may be conducted to determine the flow rate and drawdown of the borehole under different conditions.
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Installation of pumping equipment. Once the borehole is drilled and tested successfully, pumping equipment like submersible pumps or hand pumps are installed to extract water from the aquifer. The type of pump needed depends on the water demand, available resources, and depth of the borehole.
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Water quality analysis. You need to conduct a water quality analysis to ensure that the water extracted from the borehole meets relevant standards for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. Samples are collected and tested for parameters like turbidity, pH, mineral content, and microbiological contamination.
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Maintenance and monitoring. This is an essential step to ensure continued functionality and longevity. It includes periodic inspection of the pumping equipment, casing integrity, and water level measurements to assess groundwater recharge and sustainability.
What to look for when drilling a borehole
Before drilling a borehole, you need to assess;
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The slope of the land
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The groundwater level
Slope of the land
The ground surrounding the site should be sloping away and not towards the borehole. Chances of contamination from septic systems, runoff, and other water bodies are high if the grounds slope towards the bore.
Groundwater level
Assessing the groundwater level provides valuable information about the presence and depth of water resources in the area and how high or low water tables are. This helps determine the feasibility of drilling a borehole and the potential yield of water that can be extracted. With these results, you can choose the location with the highest water table to drill your bore.
Contact Mazero for water well drilling services
With a wealth of industry experience in drilling water boreholes, you can trust Mazero to complete an efficient and thorough job. From the initial water borehole prognosis through to drilling, installation, and maintenance, our highly skilled team always operates to the highest possible standards from start to finish.
Our careful construction ensures a longer lifespan for your purpose-built water borehole. So, if you’re searching for a competent and cost-effective water borehole drilling service in Kenya, contact Mazero today.