Everything you need to know about water borehole drilling

If you need access to a reliable supply of fresh water, why not consider drilling a water borehole?

This solution is becoming increasingly popular amongst savvy property owners and site managers across the country.

Water borehole drilling allows you to have your own private water supply, without having to rely on other sources.

You’ll no longer suffer from faults caused by someone else when you’re in control of your water source.

This is especially useful for those who use a lot of water for business purposes. No matter what the conditions may be, they can depend on their water borehole to provide them with a quality source of water year-round.

The potential of benefitting from an affordable source of clean water on private property is bringing new eyes to the process. Many people are now looking to set up their own water source, exclusive to their facilities.

Of course, you’ll want to research drilling water boreholes before deciding whether you can utilise this process or not. This blog from the experts at Teckna Group should help you learn more about this well-drilling service.

Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about water borehole drilling.

What is water borehole drilling?

Water borehole drilling is a form of water well drilling. Essentially, it involves drilling a hole deep into the ground to access the water below. Installing steel casing and a borehole pumping system then enables you to extract natural water directly from the ground.

Whether this self-sufficient water supply is for domestic or commercial use, it requires a professional to design and construct it properly. Qualified specialists with access to sophisticated equipment, like Teckna Group, will have the knowledge and tools to do this for you.

Water boreholes are common in areas with restricted access or difficult ground conditions, where it may be impossible to dig with an ordinary wheeled drilling rig. With our advanced water borehole drilling rigs, we can tackle most types of soil and rock, though your project will only reach this stage if your proposed site is viable (as evaluated by qualified geologists).

How does water borehole drilling work?

Though every project will have its own individual requirements, the process of water borehole drilling generally follows the same steps. It starts with a hydrogeologist visiting the site for an assessment. They can identify where the water is, if any, and the best way to access it.

It’s important to have an expert assess the geophysical properties of the site and soil, using a range of techniques to determine the conditions. This means no drilling will take place until we’re certain that the site is suitable, and we know exactly which method and equipment to use.

After mapping the site and planning the borehole, we can proceed with the drilling in line with the hydrogeologist’s recommendations. We subsequently reinforce the borehole with a casing of steel, PVC, or both to securely maintain its structure through challenging outdoor conditions.

Next, we install a test pump, which we use to run a series of tests on a range of variables. The results will reveal how the drilled borehole will impact the water level, and which measures are required to control these changes. This will inform the final choice of water pumping system to install.

Last but not least, we install the appropriate pipework and pump in the water borehole. At Teckna Group, we use a variety of high-quality systems, including Grundfos, Caprari, and Lowara. We can also install the water borehole head at ground level or above ground in a protective chamber.

How much space is needed for a water borehole?

Whether the area is rural or urban, water boreholes usually don’t require as much space as people may think. Since it’s a vertical shaft, the depth tends to be far larger than the diameter. For example, a domestic water borehole designed to fit in a garden or driveway could be 50-70 metres deep, but just 0.11-0.15 metres across.

However, these holes can go as deep as 200 metres or more. Commercial water boreholes are typically wider, with diameters of 0.25-0.45 metres, but only drilled to a depth of around 100 metres. In non-rural areas, they can be fitted with a discreet cover set into the ground to make it safe to walk or drive over them.

That said, there’s no ‘standard’ diameter or depth for a drilled water borehole. Measurements should be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the site geology and how far you have to drill to reach groundwater. Additionally, the larger the volume of water you need to draw, the larger the borehole should be.

The construction work itself is likely to require more space, not least for the borehole drilling rig to access the site without disruption. There must be sufficient distance between the borehole and other structures, including underground pipes and cables and overground fences or walls, to avoid potential collapse and contamination.

What equipment is used for water borehole drilling?

There are a number of different types of drills that we can use to dig a water borehole. The most suitable type depends on the conditions of the ground soil and the depth of the water. For example, an auger drill can dig shallow wells in soft soil, whereas more difficult soil conditions might require an air core drill to dig deeper holes.

In addition to the drill rig, the process will also involve other items of specialist equipment such as mud pumps, hydraulic winches, and air compressors (to name just a few). This isn’t the type of machinery you can obtain and operate without the right licences and training, which is why you should hire professionals like Teckna Group.

The borehole drilling equipment at our disposal includes a fleet of four drill rigs and three mud treatment units. Among them is a bespoke rig from Italy with a dual rotary head, and a duplex mud pump from America that we custom-mounted onto a movable carriage. Our team are experts in the efficient and safe use of such hydraulic machinery.

What are the advantages of a water borehole?

Water boreholes are a fantastic alternative to mains water, especially if you use large volumes of water or currently experience a low-quality and unreliable supply. Drilling a water borehole will give you uninterrupted access to clean water, with a consistent level of pressure and quality.

Being independent from the mains water supply also means you’ll save money over time, as tapping into your own water borehole is cheaper than relying on a middleman utility company. This self-sufficiency allows you to avoid shutdowns and price increases for the municipal supply.

While there are upfront costs to drill the well and minimal ongoing costs to run the pump, the water borehole will soon pay for itself. Since you won’t be paying water bills for your private supply, the savings will stack up over the many years that a water borehole pump can operate for.

Maintenance costs will also be minimal, as a professionally installed water borehole pump system requires very little upkeep. All you really have to do is run the system responsibly, making sure that everything stays intact and separate from hazardous materials. You should also book an annual water borehole service, so a qualified expert can check over the system for potential issues.

As a long-term investment that increases the sustainability of your property, a working water borehole is an asset that can also increase the property’s value. The energy efficiency and financial savings are big draws for both domestic and commercial buyers if you ever plan to sell it.

Another huge benefit of having your own groundwater supply is that you know exactly what’s in it. Borehole water is always tested at the start before installing the appropriate filtration system, so the water will always be clean, free of unnatural chemicals with a high mineral content.

Contact Teckna Group for water well drilling services

With a wealth of industry experience in drilling water boreholes, you can trust Teckna Group to complete an efficient and thorough job. From the initial water borehole prognosis through to drilling, installation, and maintenance, our highly skilled team always operates to the highest possible standards from start to finish.

Our careful construction ensures a longer lifespan for your purpose-built water borehole. So, if you’re searching for a competent and cost-effective water borehole drilling service in the UK, contact Teckna Group today. You can reach out to us by phone on 01257 421 700 or send an email to enquiries@tecknagroup.co.uk to discuss your project requirements.