Most borehole systems in Benoni don't pump straight from the borehole to your taps. The borehole pump fills a storage tank, and a separate booster pump sends the water to the garden or house at steady pressure. Knowing which part does what makes it easier to spot problems and compare quotes.
The parts
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Borehole pump (submersible, down the hole) | Lifts water out of the borehole into the tank |
| Float switch or level control | Stops the borehole pump when the tank is full, and protects it from running dry |
| Storage tank (often a 2,500 to 5,000 litre plastic tank) | Holds a buffer of water so you can draw more than the borehole yields at any moment |
| Booster pump | Pushes water from the tank to sprinklers or taps |
| Pressure switch / pressure vessel | Starts and stops the booster pump as you open and close taps |
| Filters (and sometimes treatment) | Remove sand and sediment; treatment is needed if you'll use it in the house |
Why use a tank at all?
- Yield: many boreholes deliver less water per hour than a sprinkler system uses. The tank lets the borehole refill slowly while you water quickly. See borehole yield tests.
- Pump life: the submersible pump runs in longer, steadier cycles instead of starting every time someone opens a tap.
- Load-shedding and solar: the tank can be filled when power is available, including by a solar borehole pump.
Common problems
- Booster pump keeps clicking on and off: usually a waterlogged pressure vessel or a small leak in the pipes.
- Tank never fills: the borehole may be pumping less water than before, or the float switch is stuck. See borehole pump problems.
- Sand in the sprinklers or tank: the filter needs cleaning, or the pump may be set too low in the hole.
- Low pressure in the garden: the booster pump may be too small for the number of sprinklers on one zone.
Using borehole water in the house
If you connect the system to your house, keep it completely separate from the municipal supply, or fit a proper non-return arrangement. A plumber should do this connection. Have the water tested first: see borehole water testing.
What to ask for in a quote
Ask the installer to list the tank size, booster pump model and flow, pressure vessel, filters, and the electrical work with its certificate. Our checklist: what a borehole quote should include. Looking for help? Compare borehole pump installation and repair in Benoni.