What to know before drilling a borehole in Uganda

Having a borehole is an asset that should last you at least ten to fifteen years with very little ongoing cost, assuming everything is done correctly at the start! 

If not, it can quickly become an extremely expensive and time-consuming liability due to the constant need for pump repair or replacement, which can be attributed to either substandard borehole construction or improper pumping or pump installation.

If you think you may require a borehole for your home or community in Uganda, there are a few things you should know first:

1. Empty Holes

Drilling contractors cannot guarantee that the borehole will reach the water. As a result, you will be taking a risk, and regardless of the outcome, you will be responsible for the borehole’s cost. The likelihood of hitting the water is only about 65 to 70%. However, if you hire a professional water dowser to assist your drillers, you can expect a success rate of 95%. However, there is still a danger. If you’re fortunate, the initial drill will be the final one. However, if you are unlucky that day, you may have to opt for another hole, increasing your costs.

You should conduct some ‘homework’ to determine whether your neighbourhood contains boreholes. This can be accomplished by checking with your neighbours to determine who owns a borehole, whether they have water, and how much and how deep it is. Then you can calculate your chances of finding water.

2. Determine the borehole’s location. 

Engage a hydrogeologist to perform this analysis. Conduct a background check on the person they usually hire to ‘cite’ their boreholes. In an urban environment, cultural interferences (powerlines, pipelines, and cables, for example) preclude the borehole scientific citing. In urban areas with limited space, boreholes are frequently drilled where the rig can fit (average water well rigs are +15T and truck-mounted.

Verify that the person you hired to locate the borehole employs multiple methods of cross-checking.

3. Borehole’s life

If all equipment is of high quality and the borehole is installed correctly and without defects, all major components should have a life expectancy of 20 years.

4. Noise and property damage

            Drilling of Boreholes

Drilling generates noise, which may annoy your neighbours. Additionally, it is a messy process, so you should inform your neighbours and ask for their patience. Modern drilling rigs are massive and cumbersome. This means that even if the contractor takes reasonable care, unavoidable damage to your property, particularly in garden areas, may occur during the drilling process. Contractors cannot be held liable in such instances. As a result, it is recommended that you remove anything of value from the drilling area or perform a complete makeover in the event of damage.

5. Installation Costs of Boreholes

Boreholes are an excellent investment. This means you’ll need a substantial sum of money to install it. When working on a borehole project, the following expenses should be anticipated:   

• Borehole location and site selection
• Borehole construction. This includes the installation of the wellhead, sanitary seal, gravel pack, solid screen, and casing; casing supply and drilling per metre; mobilisation of equipment to the site and back to base; and well development, which includes borehole cleaning following construction.
• Pumping test costs and aquifer performance
• The cost of hydrochemical analysis and water quality testing
• Installing a reticulation system, a potable water storage tank, and a pump
• The cost of annual equipment inspections and pipe repairs in the event of a failure.
• The cost of electricity used to power a pump each time it is turned on.

5. Drilling company

Engage the services of a licensed drilling company. Borehole drilling companies must be fully registered and licensed drilling contractors with a permit issued by the Ugandan government. 

• Consult their previous clients who have had sufficient time to evaluate the work’s quality over a reasonable time.
• Ascertain that you will only be charged if they drill to the specified depth (unless they discover water at a lower depth).
• Ascertain that he/she will provide material samples from each metre drilled.
• Verify that they maintain records of completed work, such as a driller’s log, a construction certificate, an electrical clearance certificate, a yield test certificate, pump details, and commissioning data. When selling real estate, keep in mind that a borehole represents a sizable capital investment.
• Determine whether or not they are a member of the Uganda Drilling Contractors Association. Membership in the Association demonstrates that the contractor/supplier with whom you are dealing is committed to the industry’s long-term viability, professionalism, and survival. Additionally, it provides you, the end-user, with recourse if any issues arise during the borehole’s construction.
• Ascertain that the driller maintains a record of the precise depth of the most promising water fissure. This information is critical to the pump installer for him or her to select the appropriate pump for your application.

6. The drilling equipment that your drilling company is using.

• Inspect the condition of the equipment.
• Ascertain that the drill rods are straight.
• Ascertain the type of casing/well screens that will be used.
• Determine the diameter of the borehole that will be drilled. For a domestic borehole, a diameter of 6 inches or 8 inches is recommended.
• Ascertain that the equipment is capable of reaching the desired depth.
• Ascertain that the company will be able to continue drilling if they come across clay, unconsolidated sand, or hard rock.

7. Ugandan laws governing borehole drilling

Permission from the local municipality/council to sink a borehole may be required, as may borehole registration. Discuss this with the contractor and ascertain who is accountable for initiating the inquiry.

Drilling within and near watercourses, such as river banks and wetlands, can endanger existing ecosystems and should be avoided. Similarly, drilling on a property with indigenous vegetation will inevitably result in some level of destruction, which may have legal ramifications under the National Environmental Act 2019.

Because there are numerous unknowns, such as the final depth, the amount required, and the time required for development, you must agree with your contractor on an appropriate amount to be allowed for ‘add-ons.’

Drillers charge an additional fee for drilling through extremely difficult rocks, such as dolomite formations, which require specialised expertise to drill into.

Conclusion

Boreholes add significant value to your property and are an excellent long-term investment. Therefore, if you intend to drill a borehole at your residence, choose only experienced borehole drilling companies to mitigate the majority of your risk and expense. Having them handle this task for you alleviates a great deal of stress and ensures that you get exactly what you need for your purposes.