Maintenance • Kenya • 2026

Borehole Maintenance Checklist in Kenya: Monthly, Quarterly & Annual Tasks

A borehole is reliable when it’s maintained like a system—pump, controls, pipes, tanks, filters, and hygiene. Most “sudden failures” are not sudden. They are small warning signs that were ignored. This checklist keeps your water stable and your repair costs predictable.

🗓️ ⏱️ 8–12 min read ✅ Organized by frequency
Pump Controls Tanks Filters Leaks Water quality

1) Maintenance mindset (what to track)

Maintenance becomes easy when you track a few basic signals. You don’t need fancy instruments—just consistency. If you can answer these, you’ll spot problems early: Has flow changed? Has pressure changed? Has clarity/taste changed? Has power behavior changed?

Golden rule: Record “normal” performance now. Without a baseline, you won’t notice slow decline.

2) Monthly checklist (quick, practical)

These checks are fast and catch most issues before they become expensive. Do them every month—especially for rentals, institutions, and farms.

  • Listen to the pump/controller behavior
    New noises, frequent cycling, or long run times can signal leaks or low recovery.
  • Check pressure consistency at peak time
    Weak pressure during peak hours may be storage/pipe sizing, not “low yield.”
  • Inspect visible leaks
    Leaks waste water and force the pump to run longer.
  • Check tank cover + cleanliness
    Uncovered tanks invite contamination, algae, and odor issues.
  • Clean/flush first-stage filters
    Clogged filters mimic low yield and reduce pressure.
  • Check float switches and tank overflow
    A faulty float wastes water and damages pumps through overcycling.
  • Quick water appearance check
    Sudden turbidity, smell, or staining means pause and investigate.
Red flag: If your pump starts “switching on and off” rapidly, stop and check pressure tank/controls + leaks.

3) Quarterly checklist (deeper checks)

Every three months, do a more deliberate review. This is where you prevent mid-year breakdowns.

  • 1
    Measure basic flow into the tank
    Time how long it takes to fill a known volume. Compare with your baseline.
  • 2
    Check electrical protection
    Confirm breakers, surge protection, and dry-run protection are functional.
  • 3
    Inspect pipe joints & valve behavior
    Small valve failures can cause pressure instability and cycling.
  • 4
    Review tank hygiene and sludge
    If the tank has sediment, schedule cleaning earlier.
  • 5
    Backwash/replace advanced filters (if installed)
    Carbon, iron filters, softeners and media filters need routine service.
Tip: If you run irrigation, add an irrigation-line flush cycle quarterly to prevent emitter clogging.

4) Annual checklist (full service)

At least once a year, do a full service. For institutions or high-demand rentals, consider twice a year.

  • Professional inspection of pump performance
    Check wear, current draw (where applicable), and sustained delivery under load.
  • Tank cleaning + disinfection routine
    A dirty tank ruins otherwise good water.
  • Water quality test (if drinking/institution)
    Test at least basic parameters and bacteria indicators; also test after unusual events.
  • Review yield behavior and dry-season performance
    If the borehole struggles in dry months, adjust pumping schedules and storage.
  • Check the borehole headworks area
    Drainage, sealing, and protection reduce contamination risk.

Want a maintenance routine built for your site?

Tell us your system type (solar or grid), tank size, and what problems you see (low pressure, sand, iron stains, salty taste). We’ll recommend a practical maintenance schedule and the right checks.

5) Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

These symptoms usually appear weeks before major failure. If you address them early, you save a lot.

  • ⚠️
    Pressure drops suddenly
    Could be filter blockage, leaks, pipe failure, or control issue.
  • ⚠️
    Pump runs longer than normal
    Common causes include leaks, low recovery, or worn pump performance.
  • ⚠️
    Frequent on/off cycling
    Often linked to pressure tank/controls, leaks, or float switch issues.
  • ⚠️
    Sand/silt in the water
    May require screen check, development, or rehabilitation planning.
  • ⚠️
    New odor/taste
    Check tank hygiene, contamination risks, and re-test if drinking use.
  • ⚠️
    Staining or scaling increases
    Iron/hardness changes can load filters faster and damage equipment.
Emergency rule: If a pump starts dry-running or tripping repeatedly, stop it and investigate—continuing can burn it out.

6) Simple record-keeping template

You don’t need a complicated system. A small logbook or a Google Sheet is enough. Track these items monthly:

  • Average fill time
    Example: “10,000L tank fills in 5 hours.”
  • Filter cleaning date
    Prevents “mystery” pressure problems.
  • Tank cleaning date
    Critical for odor and bacteria prevention.
  • Any symptoms noticed
    Noise, cycling, color change, smell, pressure changes.
Bonus: If you have a flow meter, log total litres per day. It makes troubleshooting 10x faster.

7) Mini maintenance planner (quick guidance)

Answer a few quick questions to get a sensible maintenance focus for your setup.

8) FAQ

How often should I clean my borehole tank?

For drinking or institutional supply, plan routine cleaning at least annually (often more frequently depending on sediment and usage). If you notice odor, algae, or sediment, clean sooner.

What causes sudden low pressure?

Common causes include clogged filters, leaks, faulty controls, undersized pipes, or an empty tank during peak demand. Check these before blaming “low yield.”

When should I consider borehole rehabilitation?

If your borehole gradually loses performance, produces more sand/silt, or requires frequent pump servicing, a professional assessment may recommend rehabilitation.

Hydrodrill Solutions Maintenance planning • Rehabilitation • Pump sizing • Storage-first systems