On the agricultural holdings around Benoni, a borehole is often the main water supply rather than a backup. That changes how you plan it: the borehole, pump and storage need to keep up with the house, a big garden, and often animals too.
Work out how much water you need
Add up a rough daily figure before you talk to a drilling company:
- The house: a family typically uses several hundred litres a day.
- The garden: large lawns and veggie gardens can use more than the house in summer.
- Animals: horses, cattle, goats and poultry all drink every day, and more in summer heat.
- Other uses: pool top-ups, washing vehicles and dams.
Give this figure to the driller. A borehole's yield, the litres per hour it can safely give, must cover your daily need, with time for the water level to recover.
Storage is your safety net
Pump into JoJo-type storage tanks rather than straight into the house. Tanks let the borehole pump slowly at a rate it can sustain, and keep you supplied during a power cut or pump breakdown. Many smallholdings keep at least a day or two of supply in storage.
Power for the pump
If power cuts are a problem, ask about a solar borehole pump or a pump that can run off an inverter. Pair it with storage tanks so you have water even when the pump isn't running.
Test the water
Water quality on smallholdings can be affected by septic tanks, animals and nearby farming. Have it tested before drinking it, and again every year or two. See borehole water testing.
Before you drill
- Ask the driller about borehole depths and yields on nearby properties, because neighbours' boreholes are the best guide.
- Get a written quote that covers drilling per metre, casing, the yield test, pump and installation. See what a borehole quote should include and borehole drilling costs in Benoni.
- Check whether you need to register the water use. Large volumes for farming or irrigation may need registration with the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Pump trouble? See borehole pump installation and repair or common borehole pump problems.