Borehole drilling in Johannesburg
A borehole is drilled to reach groundwater under your property. We connect you with a vetted, consenting contractor who drills in your area and quotes you directly.
What drilling a borehole involves
A borehole is a narrow, lined shaft drilled down to the water-bearing layers under your property. On the Witwatersrand, that can mean anything from a shallow hole to a much deeper one, depending on what is under the stand. The contractor surveys the site, chooses a position, drills, installs casing to keep the hole open, tests how much water the hole can deliver, and fits a pump. You then decide how that water is stored and used.
The work is loud, messy and takes a day or more, so the contractor will talk to you about access before it starts. A rig needs to reach the drilling position, and there is spoil to cart away at the end. If the only route to your stand is through a narrow gate or over a neighbour's property, say so at the start.
Deciding where to drill, and how deep
The drilling position is not a free choice. It has to sit clear of the house, the boundary, the septic or sewer line and the electrical supply, and it has to let the rig work safely. Within those limits, the contractor uses whatever is known about water in the area, and often the experience of nearby boreholes, to choose the most promising spot.
Depth is a decision that belongs to the contractor on site, guided by what the ground is actually doing. Drillers watch the cuttings and the rate of drilling as they go. A hole may be stopped when it reaches enough water for the intended use, or continued where more is needed. It is worth being honest about your intended use up front: a household supply, irrigation for a large garden and topping up storage are different demands.
A borehole is not a guarantee of water
It is important to say this plainly: nobody can promise that a particular position will yield a usable amount of water until the hole is drilled and tested. Groundwater is uneven. Two adjacent stands can give very different results. The contractor should explain what they can and cannot know beforehand, and how the price is affected if the first attempt yields too little.
Water quality can also vary, and it should be tested before the water is used. We do not judge whether water is fit for drinking, washing or irrigation; that depends on a lab result for your hole. Where a treatment or filtration step is needed, the contractor or a water specialist will advise on it.
Water use and paperwork
Boreholes are regulated under South African water law, and depending on how the water will be used, registration or authorisation with the Department of Water and Sanitation may apply. This is a real part of the job, and it differs by use and by volume. We do not give legal advice. Ask your contractor what applies to your intended use in your area, and where a formal application is needed, take proper advice before you pump.
What moves the quote
We do not publish prices. The contractor quotes you directly once they understand the job. These are the factors that usually make the difference:
- The depth to be drilled, which is only known with confidence as the hole is made
- Whether a first attempt yields enough water, or a second position is needed
- The casing and the geology: hard rock, dolomitic ground and boulders change the rate of work
- Site access for the rig and carting away the spoil
- The pump, storage tanks and any treatment matched to your intended use
- Whether a pump test, yield test or water sample is included
Borehole drilling by suburb
Frequently asked questions
How deep will my borehole be?
Depth is decided on site by the contractor as the hole is drilled, because it depends on the water-bearing layer under your stand. The contractor should explain what they can and cannot predict before drilling starts.
Can you promise me water?
No. Nobody can promise a usable yield from a specific position before it is drilled and tested. Groundwater is uneven, and the contractor should be clear about that when quoting.
How long does it take?
Drilling itself often takes a day or more, and the pump and storage are fitted after the hole is finished and tested. The contractor will give you a realistic schedule with the quote.
Do I need a permit?
Boreholes are regulated under water law, and whether registration or authorisation applies depends on your use and volume. Ask your contractor what applies to your case, and take formal advice where an application is needed.
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