The amazing benefits of having a borehole
As South Africans are trying all they can to save water, have you considered getting a borehole drilled?
Although getting one is costly, the long-term benefits of having a borehole are worth it, especially if you want to have a beautiful green garden, swim in good, fresh water, and not having to worry about your municipal water bill.
“A borehole is an asset that should last you at least 10 to 15 years at very little ongoing cost, provided you buy correctly at the start! If you don’t, it can become a very expensive and time-consuming liability with continual repair or replacement of pumps, the causes of which could either be traced back to poor borehole construction or incorrect pumping or pump installation,” says L'aura James of Borehole Water Association of Southern Africa.
But before drilling a borehole, it’s important that you find out if there’s water in your yard. For this you will need get a geohydrologist. You will also need to look at the choice of driller, the pump installer, and your municipality by-laws.
“Each Municipality has their own By-Laws, so you will need to check the by-laws before going ahead with having a borehole drilled. It is likely that you may be required to register your 'borehole water usage'. This would depend on what you are going to use the borehole water for. Also check what water restrictions may have been put in place by your local Municipality that could affect borehole water owners,” James adds.
Let's have a look at some of the benefits of drilling a borehole;
Borehole Water is rich in minerals
One of the great things about getting water from the ground is that you get water that is full of minerals. A borehole is an excellent way to access pure and natural underground water.
Underground water is chemical free
When it comes to underground water, you don't even have to worry about chemicals. The water comes out fresh and contains no chemicals.
Increases property value
The value of your house can simply go up by a couple of thousand Rands if you have drilled a borehole.
Decrease the demand on the municipal water supply
Having your own borehole drilled will help decrease the demand on municipal water in your area.
It will give you the garden you desire
One of the many reasons to drill a borehole is the freedom in knowing that you can water your garden without worrying about the municipal bill.
Borehole water costs much less than municipal water.
But remember, “anyone using borehole water for human & possibly animal consumption, or filling a swimming pool, needs to have a Water Quality test done & this should be done on an annual basis. When taking a sample of your borehole water for a Quality test, please rinse out the container, preferably a new unused one, with water from the borehole,” concludes James.
Consuming unsafe water can result in diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
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