Complete Borehole System in Kenya: From Survey to Tap (Full Process + Checklist)

1) What “complete borehole system” really means

In Kenya, many projects fail not because there’s “no water,” but because the system was planned backwards. A complete setup is a chain where each step informs the next: survey → drilling → testing → pump → power → storage → plumbing. If any link is weak, you feel it at the tap—low pressure, frequent dry-outs, high power costs, or pump failures.

2) Step 1: Define demand (the part most people skip)

Start by estimating how much water you need per day and when you need it (morning peaks vs continuous use). This single step controls your required yield, tank size, pipe sizing, and whether solar makes sense. Without demand, it’s easy to buy the wrong pump and then blame the borehole later.

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  Domestic (home)
  Focus on reliable supply, quality, and pressure stability.
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  Rentals / apartments
  Plan for peak demand + storage buffer + pressure control.
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  Farm / irrigation / livestock
  Your schedule matters: continuous irrigation needs different sizing than short bursts.

3) Step 2: Local context (nearby boreholes)

Before any survey, collect what you can from nearby boreholes because it’s real-world evidence. Ask for facts: depth, yield behavior in dry months, and any quality problems like salinity, staining, or scaling. This helps you set realistic expectations and also improves survey targeting.

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  Depth range
  Nearby depths help plan likely drilling depth (not an exact prediction).
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  Seasonality
  A borehole that collapses in dry season needs different planning than a stable aquifer.
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  Water quality notes
  Quality issues can change filtration and even pipe material decisions.
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  Installed system
  Pump size, tank size, and pipe size reveal whether “low water” is actually a design issue.

4) Step 3: Hydrogeological survey (siting)

A hydrogeological survey reduces risk by selecting the best drilling point and estimating likely formation layers. In many Kenyan settings, geophysical methods like electrical resistivity (often including VES) are used to infer subsurface changes with depth. A good survey doesn’t promise miracles—it gives you a smarter probability and avoids obvious poor zones.

5) Step 4: Drilling & borehole construction basics

Drilling is where the “invisible” engineering happens. Proper construction protects the borehole from collapse, improves performance, and makes maintenance possible later. Even with a good aquifer, weak construction can cause sand pumping, turbidity, and early pump wear.

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  Borehole diameter + casing choice
  Affects pump options, stability, and long-term reliability.
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  Screen placement
  Screens should target the productive zones—not just “somewhere down there.”
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  Gravel pack + sealing
  Helps filtration and prevents fine particles entering, while sealing reduces contamination risk.

6) Step 5: Development + test pumping

Development cleans the borehole and improves water entry into the well. Test pumping is where you stop guessing: it checks how the borehole behaves under pumping—yield, recovery, and stability. This step protects your pump budget because pump sizing should follow confirmed performance, not hopes.

7) Step 6: Water quality testing

If water is for drinking, quality matters as much as quantity. Even for non-drinking use, quality affects plumbing: scaling damages heaters, salinity can corrode, and iron can stain tanks and clothes. Testing helps you decide if you need filtration, softening, or specific pipe materials.

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  Drinking intention
  Plan basic chemical + bacteriological checks before supplying a household.
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  Scaling / staining signs
  Hard water/iron can turn into costly maintenance if ignored early.

8) Step 7: Pump sizing + installation

Pump sizing is the bridge between “the borehole can yield X” and “the tap feels strong.” Correct sizing considers depth, dynamic water level, pipe losses, desired pressure, and whether you’re filling a tank or pressurizing direct lines. A pump that is too big can overdraw the borehole and cause frequent dry-running; too small can frustrate users.

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  Match pump to tested yield
  Bigger is not better if the borehole cannot sustainably supply it.
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  Protect the pump
  Dry-run protection, correct controller settings, and stable power save pumps.
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  Design for your system
  Tank-filling design differs from direct-pressurized supply design.

9) Step 8: Power options (solar vs electricity)

Power is a major lifetime cost, so plan it early. Solar works brilliantly for tank-filling during daytime, while grid power can be better for continuous or night-heavy demand. The “best” choice depends on your daily litres, pumping hours, and whether you have storage.

10) Step 9: Storage, pressure & distribution to taps

Storage tanks are the secret weapon for comfort and stability. Instead of forcing the borehole to meet every peak hour instantly, you pump steadily into storage, then distribute smoothly. Good distribution includes correct pipe sizing, pressure control, and leak checks—these are the final “tap experience” makers.

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  Tank sizing
  Choose a buffer that matches your peak demand and your pumping schedule.
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  Pressure system
  Use the right pressure pump/controller setup if you need stable pressure throughout.
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  Pipe sizing + layout
  Undersized pipes create pressure loss and “weak taps” even with a strong borehole.

11) Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Most expensive problems come from skipping steps or mixing contractors without a single plan. Here are the common traps that turn a good borehole into a frustrating system.

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  Skipping survey to “save money”
  Risk goes up—especially in variable geology. A survey is cheaper than drilling twice.
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  Buying a pump before test pumping
  You end up resizing later after real yield and drawdown are known.
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  No storage buffer for rentals
  Peak demand hits the borehole hard and creates “low pressure” complaints.
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  Undersized pipes + long runs
  Pressure loss grows fast with distance and small pipe diameters.
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  Ignoring water quality
  Scaling and corrosion silently kill pumps, heaters, and fittings over time.

12) Mini planning tool (quick guidance)