Things You Need To Know Before Drilling Your Borehole In Zimbabwe

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The prevalence of borehole drilling advertisements throughout Harare, from prominent banners to wire mesh fences, reflects the city's dependence on private water sources due to the limitations of municipal water supplies. 

If you are contemplating drilling a borehole on your property, this guide provides crucial considerations to ensure a successful and cost-effective project.

Location: The Foundation of Planning

The single most important factor influencing your borehole project is the location of your property. Reputable drilling companies will prioritize understanding your site's specific location during the initial consultation.

Why Location Matters:

The subsurface geology at your property significantly impacts drilling complexity and overall project cost. Generally, drilling in areas with hard rock formations is less challenging compared to locations with loose rock or mud.

Cost Considerations: Understanding Variations

A common inquiry from homeowners is the project's anticipated cost. The location information gleaned during the initial consultation allows drilling companies to provide a more accurate estimate based on the expected challenges presented by the soil type at your site.

Factors Affecting Cost:

Muddy areas or locations with loose rock often necessitate more robust well construction and materials, leading to higher costs. Here's a breakdown of some key cost variations:

1. Open vs. Full Construction: Open construction involves inserting a UPVC pipe (the blue pipes) partway down the well, typically reaching the bedrock. However, in areas with loose or muddy soil, full lining with UPVC pipes extending all the way down to the well bottom is necessary to prevent collapse.
2. Impact of Soil Type: Consider a location like Amasaman with hard rock at a shallow depth (around 12-20 meters). Here, a 100-meter well might require only 4-6.5 UPVC pipes due to the low risk of collapse. Conversely, a 50-meter well in a muddy area like Makola might require 17 pipes because the loose soil necessitates full lining.
3. Grouting and Filtering: Muddy environments often result in turbid (brownish) water. To address this, gravel is poured into the well to act as a natural filter. This additional step isn't necessary in areas with hard rock formations, where the water may have some silt and sand but is generally clearer.
4. Specialized Equipment: Muddy areas might require special drilling machines with mud pumps, adding to the overall cost.

Quantity of Water: Managing Expectations

While drilling a borehole increases your water independence, there's a possibility that the well might not produce the desired volume, even at the standard depth of 100 meters. 

 Things You Need To Know Before Drilling Your Borehole In Zimbabwe

Unfortunately, holding the drilling company responsible for insufficient water flow is often difficult due to the inherent geological variability.

Hydrofracturing as a Potential Solution:

A potential solution to potentially low water flow is hydrofracturing. This process injects pressurized air and water into the well to create more cracks in the bedrock, essentially increasing the water flow path. Hydrofracturing is an additional cost to consider if necessary.

Water Quality: Ensuring Potability

Another crucial aspect to consider is water quality. Borehole water in Harare can sometimes be salty, acidic (low pH), or contain iron, manganese, and hardness. Salty or acidic water is unsuitable for consumption or even running through your plumbing system due to potential corrosion or scaling.

Water Testing is Essential:

Once your borehole is drilled, it's vital to have the water tested by a qualified laboratory. You can either request the drilling company to handle this or take a sample yourself to the Zimbabwe Water Lab or CSIR.

Choosing a Reliable Drilling Contractor

Beyond cost and materials, consider the after-sales service provided by the drilling company. Ideally, you want a dependable contractor with readily available specialists for various aspects of the project, such as pump installation, electrical work, filtration, and plumbing.

Importance of Specialization:

A reputable drilling company will have a team of specialists, including drillers, geologists, engineers, plumbers, and electricians. While not all will be present on-site at once, having access to their expertise ensures they can effectively address any challenges that might arise during or after the project.

By carefully considering these six key points, you will be well-positioned to make an informed decision about drilling a borehole on your property in Harare. Remember, you can always reach out to us for further guidance or even supervisory services for your project.

Water Systems Zimbabwe is looking forward to your call or WhatsApp Message.

Please feel free to leave a message on our WhatApp number or alternatively please call us and we will be able to help you straight away. If you would prefer, send us an email with your details and an outline of your enquiry and we will be pleased to come back to you.

We respond to all enquiries usually within 24 hours, but guarantee within 48 hours.

Our Contact Numbers Are:
Water Systems Sales: +263 77 389 8979.
Water Systems Sales: +263 71 918 7878.
Solar Systems Sales: +263 78 922 2847.
Solar Systems Sales: +263 78 293 3586.