Borehole Facts 101- Kenya - - 2023

 Definition

Borehole cap

A borehole is a narrow shaft about 203.2mm - 254 mm or 2.032 cm - 2.54 cm bored into the ground using mechanical means. I am sure you have seen a rig. That’s the one. In the past I have heard people say that ‘kuna bahari huko chini.’ That is inaccurate; water is stored between soil and rock particles, defined as porosity.

Two types of boreholes are shallow and deep. Anything from the surface to 100m is shallow, whereas the rest is considered deep. There may be an exception for very deep boreholes > 300 m, mainly monitoring and research wells or simply production wells in places with very deep aquifers like Marsabit township.

Residents of Central, Western, North Eastern, and the Coastal Region may have shafts with wider diameters of about 1.5m or more to a depth of about 40 ft. or more. These are classified as hand-dug wells, and are not discussed.

The Kenyan Law

Water is a basic need, and the government put in place regulations guiding the borehole drilling sector. The Water Resources Authority enforces borehole drilling code of practice countrywide. They issue borehole construction and abstraction permits online or in the regional offices. 

It will cost you a minimum of Kes 20,000 to get a drilling permit that is valid for 12 months. The sub-basin water resource authority shall determine the applicable fees based on the catchment area category. You will pay Kes 5/ cubic meter of water you use after borehole completion. The authority may also recommend you join the Water Resource Users Association on a case-to-case basis. 

Get a borehole construction works compliance permit per the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999. We recommend contacting a licensed Environmental Impact Assessment professional to assess your site from Kes 60,000. Ensure you obtain a no-objection letter from the local Water Service Provider (WSP) ‘Kanjo’. Alternatively, undertake consultations with the WSP regarding your borehole permit application.

Borehole Survey Professionals

Geological Hammer with Brunton Compass

In Kenya, the law requires a hydrogeological survey assessment indicating the site for drilling and target depths. Geologists, aka hydrogeologists, specialize in this form of survey. Engage a professional registered with the Geologist Registration Board (GRB), The Geological Society of Kenya (GSK), and the Ministry of Water Irrigation and Sanitation; this information is available in Gazette Notices and on request from the Ministry. 

Kes 45,000 is the minimum standard Hydrogeological Assessment fee. Charges vary according to location, security, terrain, and accessibility. Assess the reports you are issued using the templates published in the Water Resources Regulations, 2021. As standard practice, check the site report for site coordinates, field photos, and a valid license number for the Lead expert.

Requisite Permit Documents

• ·       National ID or Passport
• ·       Land Ownership Documentation

Contracting and Drilling Cost

I am sure this is all you wanted to see from the start; let's delve in! Borehole drilling is capital intensive, requiring proper preparation and reliable capital mobilization. Remember we mentioned the Hydrogeological Assessment Report, which is a binding document. The contractor you decide to work with relies on the depth stipulated in the report unless agreed otherwise. 

Choose a contractor based on target depth capabilities to avoid breakdowns and delays. Cheap is expensive and other stories have landed people in trouble and rescued others. Take your choice of contractor and drilling supervisor the way you would choose a doctor for an operation.

You can do an open hole or a cased hole (preferred); these are the two costing models used. Open holes cost a minimum of Kes 3,000 per meter, while cased holes cost a minimum of Kes 6,500 per meter based on location and accessibility. 

Based on the earlier estimates, a target depth of 100 m will cost an average of Kes 300,000 and 650,000. Always add a mobilization and demobilization fee of approximately Kes 150,000 (one-off cost) to cover unseen costs. 

At this point, we are working with totals of Kes 450,000 and Kes 800,000 for a 100 m target depth. Be aware that test pumping is essential in determining borehole yield. Put in an additional Kes 100,000 ( one-off cost) for test pumping inclusive of water quality analysis.

Our working totals now stand at Kes 550,000 and Kes 900,000. At this point, our borehole is 65% complete. You can now comfortably estimate cost based on depth; 200 m would be Kes {(650,000*2)+150,000+100,000} – Kes 1,550,000, and so on.

Borehole Equipping

Submersible Pump

The end of a matter is as essential as the beginning. You must install pumps, draw pipes, airline and water storage infrastructure. Borehole depths and yield from test pumping solely determine the type and cost of a pump. 

A pvc, concrete, or aluminum tank is ideal for water storage according to the intended purpose and water supply needs. This whole process is highly customized; engage a water supply expert to optimize water use while saving on cost. 

As a rule of thumb, use green energy- solar panels to reduce emissions and running costs. Equipping costs vary widely from 40% of the drilling cost to 200%. In our case the total cost is {(40% of Kes 900,000)--Kes 360,000} + Kes 900, 000 --  Total - Kes 1,260,000 for 100 m.

Operation and Maintenance

Inspect your borehole regularly for mechanical faults and changes in water quality characteristics based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards.