- Why institutional boreholes are different
- Step 1: Demand & peak-time planning
- Step 2: The storage-first design (key for schools)
- Step 3: Survey & siting (reduce failure risk)
- Step 4: Drilling, construction & protection
- Step 5: Development + test pumping
- Step 6: Water quality, treatment & safe use
- Step 7: Pump sizing, controls & protection
- Step 8: Solar vs grid vs hybrid (what fits institutions)
- Step 9: Distribution, pressure zoning & redundancy
- Maintenance plan & budgeting
- Common mistakes institutions make
- Mini planning tool
- FAQ
1) Why institutional boreholes are different
A home can “survive” a low-yield borehole with careful use, but institutions can’t. Schools and institutions face peak-hour surges (morning, lunch, evenings), more fixtures, and higher hygiene expectations. You also need predictable pressure across multiple blocks, plus a plan for downtime.
2) Step 1: Demand & peak-time planning
Start with the numbers: student/staff count, boarding vs day, kitchen load, toilets, handwashing stations, cleaning, and any special uses. Demand is not just “daily litres”—it’s when water is needed. That timing decides tank size, booster pressure design, and whether solar-only is realistic.
- ✓Boarding schools
Higher continuous demand + evening peaks; storage is non-negotiable. - ✓Day schools
Strong morning + lunch peaks; tank buffering smooths the spikes. - ✓Hospitals / clinics / churches
Plan for reliability + hygiene; consider redundancy and treatment early.
3) Step 2: The storage-first design (key for schools)
The most reliable institutional design is simple: pump steadily into storage, then serve users from storage. This keeps the borehole within sustainable pumping limits and gives stable pressure at taps. Storage also gives you breathing room during power outages or maintenance.
- ✓Tank sizing
Size for peak demand + outage buffer (your plan decides the correct buffer). - ✓Pressure stability
A booster/pressure system prevents “weak taps” when many outlets open. - ✓Zoning
Different blocks (dorms, kitchen, admin) may need different pressure logic.
4) Step 3: Survey & siting (reduce failure risk)
Institutions should treat siting as risk management. A hydrogeological survey combines field assessment with geophysical testing (commonly electrical resistivity/VES) to identify promising zones and avoid poor siting. It won’t “guarantee” yield everywhere, but it dramatically improves decision quality before drilling spend.
5) Step 4: Drilling, construction & protection
Institutional projects should insist on proper borehole construction because usage is heavy. Good casing/screen choices reduce sand pumping, prevent collapse, and protect pump life. Also plan a secure headworks area to reduce contamination and vandalism.
- ✓Construction quality
Correct casing, screens, gravel pack and sealing improve reliability. - ✓Hygiene protection
Drainage, apron, and controlled access reduce contamination risks. - ✓Security
Protect cables, controllers, solar gear and the borehole headworks area.
6) Step 5: Development + test pumping
Development cleans the borehole and improves water entry. Test pumping measures how the borehole behaves under load—yield, drawdown, and recovery—which institutions must know before finalizing the system. This is the data that should guide pump sizing and tank refill strategy.
7) Step 6: Water quality, treatment & safe use
Schools and institutions have a duty of care, so quality checks are essential—especially if water is used for drinking or cooking. Quality also affects operations: scaling can damage heaters/boilers, iron can stain bathrooms, and salinity can corrode fittings. Testing helps you decide if you need filtration, softening, or disinfection.
- ✓Drinking/cooking
Plan water testing early and include treatment if required. - ✓Hygiene systems
Handwashing stations and kitchens need consistent supply and clean distribution. - ✓Scale/iron/salinity
Quality issues can change maintenance and material choices.
8) Step 7: Pump sizing, controls & protection
Institutional systems must protect pumps because replacement costs and downtime are painful. Correct sizing is based on depth, tested yield, dynamic level, pipe losses, and whether you fill tanks or run pressurized lines directly. Controls like dry-run protection and level sensors make a massive difference in pump life.
- ✓Size for sustainable yield
Oversizing can cause dry-running and borehole stress. - ✓Level controls
Tank level sensors + dry-run protection prevent damage. - ✓Operational simplicity
Institution staff should be able to understand and run the system safely.
9) Step 8: Solar vs grid vs hybrid (what fits institutions)
Solar is excellent for daylight tank-filling and can reduce operating costs. Grid power supports night-heavy usage and can simplify continuous pumping—but costs can rise with high demand. For many institutions, a hybrid approach (solar primary + backup) gives reliability without overpaying.
10) Step 9: Distribution, pressure zoning & redundancy
Institutions typically have multiple blocks and long pipe runs—pressure losses add up fast. Consider zoning (e.g., dorms vs admin vs kitchen), correct pipe sizing, and a pressure/booster strategy that prevents weak taps. Also consider redundancy: a bypass line, spare controller, or backup power can save you during exams and peak seasons.
- ✓Pipe sizing matters
Undersized pipes can “kill” pressure even with a strong pump. - ✓Pressure system
Use boosters/PRVs where appropriate for stability and safety. - ✓Redundancy
Backup power and spare critical parts reduce downtime risk.
Need an institution-grade survey-to-tap plan?
Share your student/staff count, boarding/day, location, and power preference (solar/grid). We’ll recommend survey scope, tank strategy, pump sizing approach, and a reliable distribution layout.
11) Maintenance plan & budgeting
A borehole system is infrastructure, so budget for routine checks. Maintenance protects your water continuity: tank cleaning schedules, leak checks, controller settings, and periodic performance checks. A simple logbook (date, runtime, issues) helps detect problems early.
- ✓Routine inspections
Check leaks, pressure behavior, and electrical connections regularly. - ✓Tank hygiene
Clean tanks on a schedule; dirty tanks can undo “good water.” - ✓Spare essentials
Controllers, sensors, and fuses are cheap compared to downtime.
12) Common mistakes institutions make
Most issues come from planning a borehole like a home project. Institutional needs require storage-first logic, pressure planning, quality checks, and redundancy.
- ✕No demand estimate
Leads to wrong tank size, wrong pump size, and pressure complaints. - ✕Skipping test pumping
You end up guessing sustainable yield and damaging pumps. - ✕Assuming solar alone covers everything
Boarding schools often need backup for night peaks and cloudy periods. - ✕Undersized pipes on long runs
Creates weak taps and forces risky pump upgrades later. - ✕Ignoring hygiene and tank cleaning
Turns a “good borehole” into unsafe supply.
13) Mini planning tool (quick guidance)
Answer a few items to get a sensible next step for your institution project.
14) FAQ
Do we need storage tanks if we have a strong borehole?
Yes—storage stabilizes supply during peak times, protects the borehole from over-draw, and gives continuity during power or maintenance downtime.
What’s the most important “must-do” step before buying a pump?
Test pumping. It confirms real yield and recovery so pump sizing matches sustainable performance.
How can we keep pressure stable across multiple school blocks?
Use correct pipe sizing, consider zoning, and supply from storage using a pressure/booster system instead of relying on direct borehole pumping during peak use.
Is water testing necessary if it’s only for toilets and cleaning?
It’s still recommended because quality affects plumbing and maintenance (scaling, corrosion, staining). If any drinking/cooking is involved, testing becomes essential.