Borehole Troubleshooting • Kenya

When a Borehole Runs Dry in Kenya: Causes, Quick Checks & Proven Fixes

If your borehole suddenly “runs dry,” it doesn’t always mean the aquifer is finished. Often it’s a sizing issue, a clogging problem, or a fault in the pump or controls. Use this guide to identify the likely cause, do safe first checks, and choose the right next step—from rehabilitation to system redesign.

🗓️ ⏱️ 6–8 min read ✅ Practical checklist included
Pump sizing Drawdown Clogged screens Rehabilitation Storage planning
On this page
  1. Signs your borehole is truly underperforming
  2. Quick checks you can do safely
  3. Common causes in Kenya
  4. Solutions: from quick fixes to long-term
  5. How to prevent repeat failures
  6. FAQ

1) Signs your borehole is truly underperforming

A borehole “running dry” can show up in a few different ways. Identifying the pattern helps you avoid expensive guesswork and protects your pump from damage.

  • ✓
    Water stops after a few minutes
    Often points to oversize pumping vs sustainable yield (rapid drawdown).
  • ✓
    Lower flow than usual
    Can indicate clogging, wear, or changed groundwater levels.
  • ✓
    Cloudy/sandy water
    May signal screen damage, poor development, or aquifer disturbance.
  • ✓
    Pump runs but no water reaches tank
    Could be pipe leaks, failed NRV/check valve, airlock, or electrical/control issues.
Important: Avoid repeatedly running the pump “to test it.” Short cycling and dry running can overheat components and shorten pump life.

2) Quick checks you can do safely (before calling a technician)

These checks are non-invasive and help you communicate clearly when you request support. If you’re unsure about electrical work, don’t open panels—just observe and report.

A. Power & controls

  • 1
    Confirm power is stable
    Any recent outages, generator changeovers, or voltage drops?
  • 2
    Check breakers / protection trips
    If it trips repeatedly, stop and call support.
  • 3
    Listen for pump behavior
    Running normally, humming, short cycling, or silent?

B. Plumbing & storage

  • 4
    Inspect visible leaks
    Check pipes, valves, tank fittings, and overflow lines.
  • 5
    Check tank level trends
    Does it refill overnight after resting? That’s a key clue for yield vs pumping rate.
Stop and call emergency support if you smell burning, see smoke, hear grinding noises, or breakers keep tripping.

3) Common causes of a borehole running dry in Kenya

Cause #1: Pumping rate exceeds sustainable yield

The borehole may recharge, but not fast enough for the current pump. You’ll see water for a short time, then it stops—especially during peak use.

Cause #2: Seasonal drawdown (dry season effects)

During dry periods, groundwater levels can drop. A system that worked fine in rainy months may struggle when recharge reduces and demand rises.

Cause #3: Clogged screens / reduced inflow

Over time, screens and surrounding formations can clog with fine sediments or mineral deposits, reducing inflow and lowering yield even if the aquifer is still present.

Cause #4: Electrical faults, control issues, or pump wear

A failing capacitor, contactor issues, low voltage, worn impellers, or damaged non-return valves can all produce “no water” symptoms that look like a dry borehole.

4) Solutions: what to do next (the right order)

Best practice sequence: inspect → measure/test → apply the least invasive fix → confirm performance → plan long-term improvements.

Step 1: Professional assessment (fast + cost-saving)

A proper check typically includes inspection of pump, controls, and pipework, plus performance checks. Where needed, a camera inspection and test pumping help confirm whether the issue is yield, blockage, or equipment.

Step 2: Borehole rehabilitation (when inflow is restricted)

If screens are clogged or inflow has reduced, rehabilitation can restore yield. The method depends on the borehole condition—so inspection first is key.

Step 3: Pump resizing + storage planning (when demand is the problem)

If the pump is drawing down the borehole too quickly, resizing the pump (or adjusting controls) plus adding adequate storage can stabilize supply without stressing the aquifer.

Step 4: System redesign (for recurring failures)

If dry events keep happening, your best ROI often comes from redesign—proper pump selection, smart controls, storage buffers, and usage scheduling aligned to borehole recovery.

Need urgent borehole support?

Tell us your location, borehole depth (if known), and what happens when you switch on the pump (runs, trips, or short cycles). We’ll advise the next safe step.

Request emergency support See rehabilitation services Back to blog

5) How to prevent repeat “dry borehole” incidents

  • ✓
    Size pumps to sustainable yield
    Avoid “bigger pump = better” thinking—match pumping rate to recovery.
  • ✓
    Use storage as a buffer
    Let the borehole refill while your tank supplies peak demand.
  • ✓
    Schedule heavy use
    Spread demand across the day and allow rest periods if needed.
  • ✓
    Do periodic performance checks
    Track flow rate changes early—before failure becomes expensive.

6) FAQ

Is a “dry” borehole always a water shortage problem?

Not always. Equipment faults, clogged screens, or an oversized pump can make a borehole appear dry. If water returns after resting, that’s often a yield vs pumping-rate clue.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when a borehole stops producing?

Repeatedly restarting the pump to “force” water out. That can cause overheating, shorten pump life, and make troubleshooting harder.

How do I explain the issue clearly when requesting support?

Share: (1) how long water flows before stopping, (2) whether breakers trip, (3) any recent power outages, (4) changes in sand/cloudiness, and (5) whether it refills after resting overnight.

Hydrodrill Solutions Field support • Borehole rehabilitation • Pump sizing • System optimization