WATCH: Boreholes could be solution to Day Zero

“Heaven forbid that we get to the Cape Town scenario.”

These are the words of Ward 101 councillor, Mike Wood. As the Western Cape draws ever closer to Day Zero, where water will eventually run out, it is a stark reminder for Gauteng citizens to use water sparingly and make use of water-saving measures, especially as the dry season approaches.

 Randburg has a multitude of underground water deposits, and in certain seasons, the water table is high. Wood is appealing to residents to consider putting in a borehole on their property if they are able to do so.

“In the past few years, we have experienced all manner of weather changes, who knows what will happen in Gauteng in the future,” he said.

Yulan Linda of FAB Water Engineering in Ferndale suggested that while the water table was high at certain points, only certain properties were suitable for the installation of a borehole.

Linda said, “What we look for when installing a borehole is a suitable entry point to the water deposit below… Even if we determine that a property is suited for borehole drilling, we often find that we have to go even deeper to get a suitable amount.

“It is also important to remember that a borehole is not for drinking water, but you can adapt your system for this at a higher cost.”

Last winter, Gauteng dams reached their lowest level in years, and as Wood said, “We are incredibly lucky to have had some rainfall to fill them up again.”

In Cape Town, the local government has identified borehole users and may have to use them in the worst case scenario.

Wood continued, “If we Joburgers experience the same thing in the future, we can call on borehole owners to help supply old-age homes, schools and hospitals with fresh water.”

Borehole water is taken from fresh natural resources, particularly underground streams. Wood added, “I think the residents who have boreholes are very lucky… But they also have a responsibility to not waste their water, borehole water needs to be used in the same manner as tap water.

“We need to be mindful of every resource that we have.”

Linda added that water deposits would not dry up if more people installed boreholes, so long as proper water usage took place.

Wood also encouraged residents who already have boreholes to register them with their residents’ association and the Borehole Water Association.

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