While we are experiencing rain, we don’t think about drought. Yet a mere few months ago we were facing Day Zero in our city. And many started wondering about the benefits of sinking their own borehole.
A borehole is a useful way to tap into nature’s water tanks, referred to as aquifers. Aquifers are spaces underground where groundwater is stored and flows after it seeps into the ground when it rains.
Aquifers can also be found where water flows in the spaces between ground materials, such as through loose sand, in fractures within the bedrock, or in cavities formed when another stone such as dolomite or limestone is dissolved.
The Tshwane metro has no objections to private boreholes, as long as a few rules are followed: you do not have to register or apply for a licence for your borehole, so long as it delivers less than 50 kilolitres per day. If it delivers between 50 and 100 kilolitres, it needs to be registered with the National Department of Water and Sanitation, and more than 100 kilolitres per day requires a licence from the department.
However, if you live in the Bronberrick or Eldoraigne area, you will not be allowed to drill a borehole.
Suburbs such as Valhalla, Erasmia, Laudium, Claudius, Hennopspark, Bronberrick, Wierdapark, Eldoraigne, Clubview, Die Hoewes, Lyttelton, Doornkloof, Zwartkop, Highveld, Irene, Cornwall Hill, Monument Park, Pierre van Ryneveld, Rietvalleirand and their surrounding areas are underlain by dolomite bedrock and a proposed borehole would need to be certified by a registered specialist beforehand.
It is prohibited to drill a borehole in areas underlain by dolomite because pumping too much water from these aquifers could lead to a sinkhole.
Ward councillor Ina Strijdom confirmed that there are currently 50 sinkholes in Centurion, with more developing each rainy season.
While the City has no objection to the drilling of a borehole, there are some conditions that you should keep in mind:
– Water from boreholes may only be used on the property where the borehole is drilled.
– The water may not be sold to other consumers.
– The borehole water network may not be connected to municipal water supply networks.
– The borehole owner is responsible for testing to see if the water is fit for human consumption.
– A sign needs to be put up and must be clearly visible if a borehole exists on your property.
– The owner of the property is responsible for any health, safety or other concerns as a result of the use of borehole water.
Groundwater and earth sciences SAa (Geoss) points out that anyone looking to drop a borehole should be aware that installing one is no simple task. They advise property owners to do their research beforehand and ask their contractor for important information:
– What is the estimated depth?
– How will the borehole be constructed?
– What type of geology will be drilled through?
– What method will be used to drill and can it go deeper if necessary?
– What is the expected cost?
Costs can vary dramatically based on the above questions
Finally, name your borehole and keep a detailed log of your its lifespan.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
