In the area of borehole construction, it is very wrong and wasteful for prospective clients to engage the services of quacks in a professional field like borehole construction. Most people engage plumbers who in one occasion or the other seen where borehole is being drilled, and henceforth claims to be borehole drillers which in turn creates problem as a result of failure in service delivery. There are a lot of conditions and factors that contributes to borehole failures, collapses and drawdown which only a professional hand can ascertain. Even in the professional field, there are those whose calling, crafts, or skills are more unique than others, and that significantly is the reason for diverse sort of outcomes and results amongst contemporaries or competitors in the same field.

SKYBOUND as a Business originated and established by God however is a unique company with problem-solving capacity and mantle to solve all borehole related issues ranging from water colour, dirt,  low yield issue, deep seated overburden issue, drawdowns, compression, collapse, etc. It is our policy to ensure that proper geophysical survey is conducted at feasible and anomalous points, follows with intensive and extensive assessment of data analysis to ascertain the fractured basement, lithological layers in light of the geological setting in the area before the commencement of drilling.

CASING: To ensure that crucial aquifers are not missed, we do detailed geologic logging during and after drilling the borehole, as well as ensuring that casing pipes are discretely screened to achieve maximum yield. The borehole annulus is also one of the critical areas we pay undivided attention to, thus ensuring that the borehole is sand free.

Borehole design is extremely important; both for ensuring the sustainability of groundwater and also to make sure the installation creates a cost effective method of obtaining water for the end user.

Sadly, borehole design and construction is one of the most overlooked aspects within the industry and not enough time, care or attention is put into this stage of the process and it is actually the most vital point.

Boreholes are drilled to be fully functioning for a very long time – often longer than our own lifetimes. That often means the lowest up front cost is not always the most cost effective route, particularly if construction quality is overlooked in a bid to save money.

Cheap drilling or poor construction can lead to an inadequate supply, premature failure of the borehole or contamination of a controlled water. This can create additional expense, that may result in the borehole being more expensive than it should have been in the first place, that could otherwise have been avoided.

In some cases badly designed boreholes have to be abandoned all together, the end user will then have to spend even more money rectifying the situation e.g.: by getting a properly constructed borehole drilled to provide a water supply or decommissioning the redundant supply. We are frequently contacted by people who have had a borehole constructed by others which after discussion is pinned down to the constructional technique used and not enough time or consideration being taken during the design stage.

Key Steps of a Successful Borehole Installation

Siting – includes desk study, field reconnaissance, and surveys to asses the following: sufficient yield for the intended purpose, appropriate water quality for the intended purpose, avoidance of potential sources of contamination, proximity to the point of use, accessibility for construction / drilling team, need for an abstraction licence and avoiding other groundwater sources.

Choosing construction methods – Proper specification of well depths, correct drilling rig specification. The drilling technology used needs to match the borehole design

Design & Construction – Ensuring the well is fit for purpose e.g. yield, diameter, depth, casing and screen, gravel pack/formation, appropriate well construction / development, pumping test and water quality analysis.

PUMP TESTING: To put the borehole to best usage, we carry out pumping test to ascertain the safe yield and pump size required. This is another critical area in borehole construction that evaluates the rate of yielding which is calculated by the average time of pumping.

In order to remove blockages and clogging of screens over a period of time, we always recommend adequate maintenance schedule to be put in place to service and flush the borehole at regular intervals say once in two years.

However, be informed that every site is not expected to have high yield with regards to storage.

In the Borehole itself:

Borehole pump, cable, rising main– A pump is chosen to suit a customer’s pressure and flow requirements and lowered to the correct depth within the borehole supported and approved (or as appropriate) rising main which also acts as the water delivery pipe. The cable provides power to the pump. A support line can be introduced if required.

Well casing – The top section of the borehole is lined with solid casings, this prevents any surface water or contaminants entering the water supply and ensures the integrity of the borehole.

Well screen – The lower parts of a borehole may be lined using well screen / perforated / slotted casing.  The slots allow water to percolate into the borehole, help to prevent particles entering the borehole and assist in the boreholes integrity.

Gravel Filter Pack – This is used to fill the void between the hole and the borehole installation. The gravel filter serves two purposes, firstly it’s an added water filter that traps sediment and prevents it from entering the borehole secondly it adds an additional layer of support for the borehole preventing any collapse.

On the Surface, The Well Head:

Borehole chamber – Installed at the required depth and designed to suit your requirements and the Private Water Supplies regulations. Skybound make use of a range of chamber designs to suit your needs, load requirements and where required we also supply specialist and lockable borehole chambers with greater security or architectural features.

Sealed Well Head –  Sealed wellhead, this caps off the borehole and prevents any surface water or contaminants entering the borehole.

Water Supply Pipe – This is used to move the water out of the chamber and direct it to the point of use.

Controls

Borehole control system – this is the system used to control the borehole, it can have any number of features including fixed / variable speed, dry run protection, low level cut off capabilities or building management systems to name but some. Skybound designs a system around the point of end use taking into account the capability of the borehole, yield and client requirements.

Optional Equipment (Dependent on requirements)

Water Storage Tanks – these can be stored above or below ground.

Water Treatment – In some cases groundwater may require treatment to bring it up to the required standard for its intended use. Skybound carry out full water analysis and testing and then install a water treatment system to remove the offending substances.

If you have a question then our team would be happy to answer you.