Congratulations, your borehole is drilled. The rig has struck water and the crew is packing up. Now comes the question almost every owner asks: after drilling a borehole, what next?
The answer matters. A borehole is not finished when the drilling stops. Between the drill and your tap there are seven steps. Skip one, and you risk a burnt pump, dirty water or a permit problem later.
This guide walks you through each step in order, with the time and the checks involved.
Step 1: Let the Borehole Settle and Develop
New borehole water is often brown or cloudy. Fine silt, drilling mud and loose particles are still moving around the screens and gravel pack.
Development fixes this. The borehole is pumped or air flushed until the water runs clear and the fine material is removed. In most cases water clears within days, but in soft ground it can take a few weeks.
- Do not install your permanent pump while the water is still muddy. Silt wears out pumps fast.
- If the water is still dirty after a few weeks, flushing usually helps. See how long borehole water takes to clear.
Step 2: Test Pumping to Measure Safe Yield
Test pumping tells you how much water your borehole can give without running dry. A test pump runs at measured rates while the water level is recorded.
A proper test runs for 24 to 72 hours and includes a step test, a constant rate test and recovery readings. The result is a safe yield in cubic metres per hour and a recommended pump setting depth.
Example: a borehole that gives 3 cubic metres per hour can supply about 30,000 litres in a 10 hour pumping day. That is enough for a large home and a small garden, but not for a big farm. Learn more on our test pumping service page.
Step 3: Test the Water Before Anyone Drinks It
Clear water is not always safe water. Bacteria, fluoride, iron and salt cannot be seen. A laboratory test is the only way to know.
The Water Resources Authority (WRA) runs ten water testing laboratories across Kenya. Its published fees are KSh 5,000 for a full chemical analysis and KSh 2,000 for a bacteriological analysis.
Compare your results with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) drinking water standard and the WHO guidelines. For example, fluoride above 1.5 mg per litre is unsafe to drink long term. Our full guide to borehole water testing labs and prices explains what to test and where.
Step 4: Size and Install the Right Pump
Now you can choose your pump with confidence. The test pumping report gives the yield, the water level and the pump depth. Your daily water use gives the demand.
| If you skip sizing | What happens |
|---|---|
| Pump too big | It drains the borehole, runs dry and burns out |
| Pump too small | You never have enough water |
| No dry run protection | One low water day can destroy the pump |
Choose between grid power, solar or a hybrid. Solar suits most of Kenya and removes power bills. See pump installation and solar pump systems.
Step 5: Plan Your Water Storage
A tank gives you water during power cuts, pump repairs and the night. An elevated tank also gives you free pressure, so taps run strong without a booster pump.
- Size the tank for at least one full day of water use.
- A steel water tower raises pressure for homes and schools. See why your borehole needs a water tower.
- Fit a float switch so the pump stops when the tank is full.
Step 6: Complete the Paperwork
A legal borehole needs records. After drilling, the driller prepares a completion report with the drilling log, casing details, test pumping data and water quality results.
These documents support your application for a water permit from WRA, which allows you to use the water. Your project should also follow NEMA environmental rules. Read our guide to borehole permits in Kenya.
- Keep copies of every report in a safe place.
- You will need them for permits, repairs and if you ever sell the property.
Step 7: Set a Maintenance Schedule
Boreholes last 30 to 50 years when they are built well and looked after. Most failures start small: falling yield, a noisy pump or slowly changing water.
- Check the flow and the water colour every month.
- Test the water every year, or every six months for drinking water.
- Service the pump and inspect the borehole every one to two years.
See our maintenance and repair service and the borehole maintenance schedule guide.
Common Mistakes After Drilling
- Installing the pump before test pumping.
- Drinking the water before a lab test.
- Buying the cheapest pump instead of the right size.
- Skipping a tank, so every power cut means no water.
- Losing the drilling and test records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after drilling can I use my borehole?
Usually within one to three weeks. Development, test pumping and the water test come first, then the pump is installed.
Is the borehole water safe straight after drilling?
No. Wait until it runs clear and a lab test confirms it is safe. Until then use it only for washing and building work.
Can I install a pump before test pumping?
You can, but it is risky. Without the test you are guessing the pump size and depth, which often leads to burnt pumps.
Who does these steps?
Many drillers stop after drilling. At Bonvic Drilling we handle every step, from development and test pumping to the pump, tank, paperwork and maintenance.
Get Your Borehole Working the Right Way
Bonvic Drilling has delivered over 700 boreholes across Kenya since 2010. Whether we drilled your borehole or someone else did, we can take it from here. Contact us or send your location on WhatsApp.
