1) Start with the right mindset
“Land has water” is not a yes/no thing. You want to answer 4 questions: How deep? How much? How reliable? and What quality? That’s why professionals combine local context with subsurface testing.
2) Clues you can check (but don’t bet money on)
These can hint at groundwater potential, but they’re not proof. Treat them as “soft signals.”
- ✓Low-lying areas and natural drainage lines
Water tends to collect and recharge more in certain terrain features. - ✓Seasonal wet spots or long-lasting moisture
Can indicate shallow perched water or clay — not always a good borehole aquifer. - ✓Vegetation patterns
Green patches can be caused by soil type or shade, not necessarily groundwater. - ✓Rock outcrops and soil changes
Geology controls groundwater movement; sudden soil/rock changes can matter.
3) The strongest signal: nearby boreholes
If you can get reliable info from nearby boreholes, you reduce uncertainty fast. Ask for facts, not stories.
- 1Depth and how long drilling took
Helps set expectation for depth range (not exact). - 2Yield behavior (does it drop in dry season?)
Reliability is as important as “it has water.” - 3Water quality issues (salty, staining, scaling)
Quality problems can be expensive if discovered late. - 4System setup (pump size + storage)
Many “dry borehole” complaints are actually sizing/storage mistakes.
4) What a hydrogeological survey actually does
A hydrogeological survey is how professionals move from “maybe” to “informed probability.” It combines site assessment with geophysical measurements to infer subsurface layering and likely aquifer zones.
In Kenya, Electrical Resistivity methods (often including VES) are commonly used in borehole siting work. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
5) What is resistivity/VES in simple terms?
VES (Vertical Electrical Sounding) is a resistivity technique where measurements are taken at increasing electrode spacing. As spacing increases, the “look depth” increases, helping infer how resistivity changes with depth. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- ✓Why it helps
Different materials (clay, sand, fractured rock, saline zones) can show different resistivity patterns. - ✓What it doesn’t do
It doesn’t “guarantee water,” but it improves siting decisions and helps avoid obviously poor zones.
6) The safest step-by-step process before drilling
- 1Clarify your demand
Home, rentals, or farming? Daily litres determines yield + storage needs. - 2Collect local borehole info
Depth, yield behavior, and quality issues nearby. - 3Do a hydrogeological survey
Site assessment + geophysics to recommend drilling point(s). - 4Plan permits and documentation
Groundwater abstraction typically involves documentation like borehole completion records and water quality reports for applications. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} - 5Drill + develop + test pump
Test pumping confirms real yield; then size pump, tank, and pressure system properly.
Want a site-specific answer?
Share your exact area, land size, intended use, and whether water is for drinking. We’ll advise the right survey scope and next steps.
7) Mini decision tool (quick guidance)
Answer a few quick items to get the most sensible “next move” (clues → survey → drilling plan).
8) FAQ
Can I know if land has water by looking at trees or green vegetation?
Vegetation can be a clue but it’s not reliable enough to decide drilling. Use it only as a hint, then confirm with local borehole info and a survey.
What is the most reliable test before drilling in Kenya?
A hydrogeological survey using geophysical methods (commonly electrical resistivity/VES) plus local hydrogeology context, then test pumping after drilling to confirm yield. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Does a survey guarantee water?
No—no method guarantees a specific yield everywhere. But a proper survey reduces risk and improves siting decisions.