A) Maintaining your borehole
Borehole and pump maintenance is important to adhere to in order to realise the best returns on your investment. Quality constructed private water supply systems require routine maintenance. These simple steps help to protect your system and water source, as well as your investment.
Always use a registered BWA contractor when investing in borehole drilling, when a pump is installed, or when having a spring house or cistern installed. Request a copy of the company’s registration and insurance before construction gets underway, and rest assured that a legitimate drilling company will happily provide you with copies of these documents.
Keep any hazardous chemicals, such as paint, solvents, pesticides, fertiliser and herbicides, etc., well clear from the borehole. Check the well cover and well cap periodically to ensure that it is in good repair, and take care in working or mowing around the well. Damaging the casing could jeopardise the sanitary protection of the well.
Before purchasing a home that makes use of a septic tank, test the borehole water to analyse for possible contaminants in the tank. If you live on a property that has a septic tank and you make use of the groundwater, it is always advisable that you test the well water on an annual basis for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The following are a few other elements that you can test specifically for:
- Test for pesticides if the home is built on the site of an old farm or orchard;
- Test for volatile organic material if an oil tank is buried on your property, or if there is a commercial storage tank buried nearby; and
- Test for lead if the home has lead pipes. Lead tests are important for homes with public water, since contamination occurs after the water enters the plumbing.
Should any repairs be required, the well should be sanitised after the repairs are completed. Re-test the water sanitary level to ensure that the problem has been corrected.
A properly constructed head works with a tight fitting well head cap to protect the casing on the surface. A poor head makes it easy for surface water and other undesirables, such as mice and insects, to directly enter into the well or holding tank.
Well safety tips to take note of include:
- Never store or mix chemicals near the well head. A simple spill could easily go directly into the well; and
- Never pour pesticides or other dangerous chemicals down the drain.
It is an unfortunate fact that the quality of your groundwater can be impacted over time. The most important type of contaminant to monitor against is bacteriological contamination, which occurs from leaking sewers and pit latrines. We recommend that a sample be drawn and analysed for bacteriological indicators at least once a year.
We recommend that you seal abandoned wells, as they are a direct route from the surface to the groundwater. Test your well water quality on an annual basis and inspect visible well components for signs of problems.
If you would like more information and advice about maintaining your borehole, contact us today. We look forward to providing you with all the information that you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
A) Maintaining your borehole
Borehole and pump maintenance is important to adhere to in order to realise the best returns on your investment. Quality constructed private water supply systems require routine maintenance. These simple steps help to protect your system and water source, as well as your investment.
Always use a registered BWA contractor when investing in borehole drilling, when a pump is installed, or when having a spring house or cistern installed. Request a copy of the company’s registration and insurance before construction gets underway, and rest assured that a legitimate drilling company will happily provide you with copies of these documents.
Keep any hazardous chemicals, such as paint, solvents, pesticides, fertiliser and herbicides, etc., well clear from the borehole. Check the well cover and well cap periodically to ensure that it is in good repair, and take care in working or mowing around the well. Damaging the casing could jeopardise the sanitary protection of the well.
Before purchasing a home that makes use of a septic tank, test the borehole water to analyse for possible contaminants in the tank. If you live on a property that has a septic tank and you make use of the groundwater, it is always advisable that you test the well water on an annual basis for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The following are a few other elements that you can test specifically for:
- Test for pesticides if the home is built on the site of an old farm or orchard;
- Test for volatile organic material if an oil tank is buried on your property, or if there is a commercial storage tank buried nearby; and
- Test for lead if the home has lead pipes. Lead tests are important for homes with public water, since contamination occurs after the water enters the plumbing.
Should any repairs be required, the well should be sanitised after the repairs are completed. Re-test the water sanitary level to ensure that the problem has been corrected.
A properly constructed head works with a tight fitting well head cap to protect the casing on the surface. A poor head makes it easy for surface water and other undesirables, such as mice and insects, to directly enter into the well or holding tank.
Well safety tips to take note of include:
- Never store or mix chemicals near the well head. A simple spill could easily go directly into the well; and
- Never pour pesticides or other dangerous chemicals down the drain.
It is an unfortunate fact that the quality of your groundwater can be impacted over time. The most important type of contaminant to monitor against is bacteriological contamination, which occurs from leaking sewers and pit latrines. We recommend that a sample be drawn and analysed for bacteriological indicators at least once a year.
We recommend that you seal abandoned wells, as they are a direct route from the surface to the groundwater. Test your well water quality on an annual basis and inspect visible well components for signs of problems.
If you would like more information and advice about maintaining your borehole, contact us today. We look forward to providing you with all the information that you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
b) Keeping your water supply flowing all year
Owning a private Borehole allows homeowners to control their own water supply. Ownership also comes with the responsibility of keeping the Borehole in good working order.
With regular maintenance check-ups you will extend the longevity of your borehole, pumping equipment and have a more reliable water supply year round.
b) Keeping your water supply flowing all year
Owning a private Borehole allows homeowners to control their own water supply. Ownership also comes with the responsibility of keeping the Borehole in good working order.
With regular maintenance check-ups you will extend the longevity of your borehole, pumping equipment and have a more reliable water supply year round.
c) Top tips for maintaining your borehole
C) Top tips for maintaining your borehole
Don’t try service your own borehole
While it may be tempting for D.I.Y. enthusiasts to attempt their own home borehole maintenance and servicing you can end up costing yourself a lot more money than if you let experts like us do the job – after all that’s what we do day in and day out – and there’s not much we haven’t seen in the past 21 years!
We have been called out to various borehole sites across the country where tools and pumps have been accidentally dropped into the borehole resulting in jamming of the pumping equipment and in some cases costly abandonment of the borehole. If the novice had not attempted to undertake the repair these problems and costs would have been avoided.
Specialist Borehole contractors like E.D.R.S. have specialist knowledge, training and the equipment to keep private water supply systems fully operational and water supplies safe from contamination.
Like our vehicles and our bodies – our boreholes need a service and a check up on a regular basis to keep them running optimally.
Of the eight most common borehole problems listed below, we can fix seven 99% of the time. The eighth problem (lack of water) we can only pray about.
- Failure or malfunction of Pumping Equipment
- Improper borehole design and construction
- Incomplete well development
- Borehole stability problems
- Incrustation & Bio-fouling build-up
- Corrosion of casings
- Over-pumping.
- Aquifer problems
If you’re using your borehole water for drinking water you owe it to your family and yourself to keep the borehole producing clean safe water.
Test your water quality regularly
Testing your water regularly is very important, in fact the Borehole Water Association recommend you carry this out at least once each year. It’s generally not necessary to repeat the complete SANS-241 lab test – usually the microbiological tests are sufficient for annual check ups.
Testing of the water quality should also be undertaken if you notice a change in the taste, colour or odour of the water.
Don’t try service your own borehole
While it may be tempting for D.I.Y. enthusiasts to attempt their own home borehole maintenance and servicing you can end up costing yourself a lot more money than if you let experts like us do the job – after all that’s what we do day in and day out – and there’s not much we haven’t seen in the past 21 years!
We have been called out to various borehole sites across the country where tools and pumps have been accidentally dropped into the borehole resulting in jamming of the pumping equipment and in some cases costly abandonment of the borehole. If the novice had not attempted to undertake the repair these problems and costs would have been avoided.
Specialist Borehole contractors like E.D.R.S. have specialist knowledge, training and the equipment to keep private water supply systems fully operational and water supplies safe from contamination.
Like our vehicles and our bodies – our boreholes need a service and a check up on a regular basis to keep them running optimally.
Of the eight most common borehole problems listed below, we can fix seven 99% of the time. The eighth problem (lack of water) we can only pray about.
- Failure or malfunction of Pumping Equipment
- Improper borehole design and construction
- Incomplete well development
- Borehole stability problems
- Incrustation & Bio-fouling build-up
- Corrosion of casings
- Over-pumping.
- Aquifer problems
If you’re using your borehole water for drinking water you owe it to your family and yourself to keep the borehole producing clean safe water.
Test your water quality regularly
Testing your water regularly is very important, in fact the Borehole Water Association recommend you carry this out at least once each year. It’s generally not necessary to repeat the complete SANS-241 lab test – usually the microbiological tests are sufficient for annual check ups.
Testing of the water quality should also be undertaken if you notice a change in the taste, colour or odour of the water.
d) Borehole annual check-up
A water Borehole is an expertly engineered and constructed method of delivering groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. EDRS – Domestic Boreholes is your one-stop turn-key specialist for all things related to borehole systems and groundwater.
Protect this precious resource and safeguard your family’s health through properly constructed and maintained water Borehole systems.
Like car’s & humans – Borehole Systems also need an annual check up’s.
As a private Borehole owner you control your own water supply. Ownership comes with the responsibility of keeping the Borehole system in good working order.
D) Borehole annual check-up
A water Borehole is an expertly engineered and constructed method of delivering groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. EDRS – Domestic Boreholes is your one-stop turn-key specialist for all things related to borehole systems and groundwater.
Protect this precious resource and safeguard your family’s health through properly constructed and maintained water Borehole systems.
Like car’s & humans – Borehole Systems also need an annual check up’s.
As a private Borehole owner you control your own water supply. Ownership comes with the responsibility of keeping the Borehole system in good working order.
A properly constructed and maintained Borehole will provide you with many years of quality service. Prevention is always better than cure. You get your car serviced at the correct mileage intervals – your borehole is no different. The Borehole Water Association recommends routine annual maintenance checks to ensure the proper operation of the Borehole and prolong its years of service, as well as monitor the water quality.
A certified BWA contractor should conduct your routine Borehole check-up.
Your check-up should include:
- A discharge flow test to determine system output,
- Water levels in the borehole
- Pump motor performance
- Pressure tank and pressure switch
- Inside of the Jo-Jo water tank.
- Removal of the Borehole equipment – inspection – re-installation
- Annual water quality test – coliform, E.coli bacteria& anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor. Changes in these constituents also may indicate changes in your local groundwater.
- A concise, clear, written report should be delivered to you following the check-up that explains results and recommendations, and includes all laboratory and other test results.
Contact EDRS on 010 596 1000 or www.domesticboreholes.co.za (Johannesburg, Pretoria & surrounding areas). You can also contact the BWA for a list of member- or certified-contractors in your area.
- Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your Borehole, and maintain a “clean” zone (15m) between your Borehole and any kennels, livestock operations, waste systems, or chemical storage areas.
- Periodically check the Borehole cover to ensure it is in good repair. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
- Get your water tested anytime there is a change in taste, odour or appearance, or anytime the system is serviced.
A properly constructed and maintained Borehole will provide you with many years of quality service. Prevention is always better than cure. You get your car serviced at the correct mileage intervals – your borehole is no different. The Borehole Water Association recommends routine annual maintenance checks to ensure the proper operation of the Borehole and prolong its years of service, as well as monitor the water quality.
A certified BWA contractor should conduct your routine Borehole check-up.
Your check-up should include:
- A discharge flow test to determine system output,
- Water levels in the borehole
- Pump motor performance
- Pressure tank and pressure switch
- Inside of the Jo-Jo water tank.
- Removal of the Borehole equipment – inspection – re-installation
- Annual water quality test – coliform, E.coli bacteria& anything else of local concern. Other typical additional tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor. Changes in these constituents also may indicate changes in your local groundwater.
- A concise, clear, written report should be delivered to you following the check-up that explains results and recommendations, and includes all laboratory and other test results.
Contact EDRS on 010 596 1000 or www.domesticboreholes.co.za (Johannesburg, Pretoria & surrounding areas). You can also contact the BWA for a list of member- or certified-contractors in your area.
- Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your Borehole, and maintain a “clean” zone (15m) between your Borehole and any kennels, livestock operations, waste systems, or chemical storage areas.
- Periodically check the Borehole cover to ensure it is in good repair. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
- Get your water tested anytime there is a change in taste, odour or appearance, or anytime the system is serviced.