3 Things You Should Research Before Drilling a Borehole

19 July 2017
 Categories: Environmental, Blog

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A borehole can provide a reliable supply of water cost-effectively. However, one needs to do their homework prior to the drilling of the borehole if that borehole is to provide sustainable service. This article discusses some of the things that you need to think about before commissioning the borehole project.

The Purpose of the Borehole

You need to decide what exactly you want the borehole for. For example, do you want it strictly for domestic purposes? This decision will affect several other aspects of the project. For instance, some municipalities require people to obtain permits for boreholes that will be used for commercial purposes. Additionally, the purpose of the borehole may have a bearing on how wide that borehole needs to be. Wider boreholes are more expensive to drill and develop.

Expected Borehole Depth

It is important for you to establish how deep the borehole is likely to be before you contract drillers to get to work. This information is important because it has several cost implications for the project. For example, contractors usually charge you for each meter or foot that they drill. Deeper holes are usually more expensive than shallower ones. The expected depth also has an impact on what kind of drilling equipment will be needed. Very deep holes require bigger machines that may not fit on your property if your site is congested.

You can get information about the expected borehole depth in several ways. For example, you can get information about the depth of the boreholes of your neighbours. This method isn't as reliable as hiring a geo-hydrologist to survey your site in order to estimate how far the water level is. The information that is obtained can be used when formulating specifications or deliverables that the drilling company is expected to adhere to during the execution of their contract.

The Preferred Site

It is also advisable for you to decide in advance where you would prefer the borehole to be drilled. You can then take steps to ensure that nothing will stand in the way of the project. For instance, you can check the plans of your property to establish where underground utilities are buried. You can also address any accessibility issues that are created by that chosen site. For instance, you may need to demolish part of your fence in order to create access for the drilling rig. All these site requirements should be accounted for in your budget.

A lot goes into planning a borehole project. The only way to ensure that you have covered all the bases is by involving a borehole expert during every stage of the planning process so that nothing unexpected comes up when the actual work begins.