Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1What is a borehole?
Boreholes are holes that are drilled into the earth’s crust in order to access ground water. Boreholes vary in depth, diameter and water yield.
2If there is no water-strike do I still have to pay?
Yes, the drilling invoice will have to be paid in full. We are contracted to drill not to find water.
3Do we guarantee a water-strike?
No, we cannot guarantee a water-strike. We are not diviners, geophysicists or geologists. We are drillers and although we will help where we can we are not responsible for where the peg/stake/marker has been placed.
4What is the size of our machinery? Can we access your property?
Our rig is significantly smaller and lighter than other rigs in the market. Our rig dimensions are: Width - 2.4 metres, Height - 2.5 metres, Length - 5 metres. Please make sure we can access your property.
5Who is responsible for facilitating rig access to the property? i.e. Who is responsible for moving trees, overhead cables, walls and fences etc.?
The customer is responsible for this. Should the removal of walls, fences, overhead cables or any other obstruction be required to accommodate the drilling rig, the costs of such removal and subsequent replacement shall be for the customer's account.
6Can my borehole collapse?
Although all efforts will be made by the company to ensure a successful hole is drilled, this cannot be guaranteed and the hole can collapse at any time.
7Why would I need PVC casing?
There is the possibility that your borehole may require perforated uPVC casing. This plastic sleeve goes on the inside of mild steel casing. The uPVC casing may be required for a) stabilizing the hole below the mild steel casing and avoiding a hole collapse b) additional filtration for dirty water c) protecting the pump impellers in the event the bottom of the hole is sandy and not a solid substrate. The uPVC will be at an additional charge as per the quote. If the client is advised to install the uPVC casing and they choose not to, EAST LAKE will not take responsibility for a collapsing hole or a damaged pump.
8Will my borehole need a pump?
Most definitely. A suitable pump is required to pump the water to the surface. The size of the pump will be determined by the following: 1) Depth of the borehole – the deeper the hole the bigger the pump. 2) Water yield of the borehole – what flow is required for what application? 3) Availability and type of electrical power (three phase, single phase or solar).
9Will my borehole require maintenance?
Yes, with regular maintenance you will extend the longevity of your borehole.
10Will my paving or grass be damaged when drilling?
Although all the necessary precautions will be taken, we cannot guarantee the weight of the machinery will not damage the paving or the grass. We do not replace or repair paving or grass. This is a specialized trade for which we are not trained.
11Who is responsible for cleaning? What is the definition of cleaning?
The cleaning of the site is the responsibility of the customer. This includes the removal of the mud, rock chips or dust. We do however facilitate, at a cost of R750 / load, the removal of the sand and stone and a light / surface clean at the customer's request.
12Can the borehole drilling process damage my property?
Although this is unlikely it is possible. Please make sure you have the necessary homeowner’s insurance in place.
13How will we handle a dispute?
All disputes will be handled by a nominated competent professional in the borehole Industry.
14What warranty is offered?
No warranty is offered on the borehole itself. A back-to-back one-year manufacturer’s warranty is offered on all pumps and tanks. This does not include East Lake labour - you will be invoiced separately for this. The installation warranty is valid for 3 months.
15What happens if the rig cannot access the designated drilling spot?
Best efforts will be made to drill on the exact mark but East Lake reserve the right, unless otherwise agreed, to drill within a 1-meter radius of the peg / mark. Please make sure the necessary measurements have been done to ensure the rig is able to access the marker. The company reserve the right not to drill in inaccessible / dangerous positions.
1Once the borehole is drilled how do we cover the borehole?
This depends on where the hole is drilled. If the borehole is drilled in the driveway a steel borehole cover will be used. If we drill in the garden, a standard plastic irrigation cover will be used.
2How long does it take to drill a borehole?
This would obviously depend on how deep we drill. Under normal conditions you can expect us to drill 60 to70 meters a day.
3Must I inform my neighbours about the noise and dust.
As the drilling process is dusty and noisy it is advisable to inform your neighbours.
4How deep is the average borehole?
The average borehole is 60 to 80 meters deep.
5How deep can you drill?
Our company can drill to a maximum of 150 meters.
6Do I need a filtration system?
If you want to connect the borehole water to the house it is advisable to filter the water. If the water is only being used for irrigation purposes it is probably not required. If you want to confirm your water is potable, please have your water tested at Set Point Laboratories frequently.
7What is a water diviner (dowsing) and do I need a water diviner to locate the drill point?
This is a difficult decision. We outsource this service and will refer various diviners if you so request. Water diving (dowsing) is a methodology employed in an attempt to locate ground water. Dowsing is considered a pseudoscience and there is no scientific evidence that it is any more effective than random chance. Dowsers often achieve good results because random chance has a high probability of finding water in favorable terrain.
8Will my water be dirty?
This will only be determined after drilling has taken place. If the water is dirty, we have various ways to treat and filter the water.
9How deep should my borehole be?
The depth of any new borehole will be determined by local known precedent - i.e, the depth of other boreholes in your area and the recommendations of your diviner. We will stop drilling when we have sufficient water and a sufficient sump.
10How much does a borehole cost?
The cost of a borehole will depend on the driller and the geology but on average they can cost R380 per meter which usually excludes site establishment, transport, steel casing, pumps and a yield test. A yield estimate will be provided by the driller
11Can I drink my borehole water?
The water will have to be tested by a laboratory. We recommend Set Point Laboratories. This will indicate what water treatment is required (if any). The company has various filtration and reverse osmosis products on offer.
12What happens if, for a variety of reasons, we can’t complete the drilling?
Although all efforts will be made by the company to ensure a successful hole is drilled, this cannot be guaranteed. In the event of the drilling being unsuccessful (including but not limited to cavities, boulders, clay) the customer is still liable for the monies due as per the signed quote. The price per meter in the event of a dry hole remains as quoted and is not reduced. The customer confirms acceptance of this.
13Will I need tanks to store the water?
It is advisable to store the water in tanks as this preserves the pump.
14What happens if we encounter abnormal rock or extraordinary hard rock?
If we encounter abnormally hard rock (including but not limited to Dolerite, Quartzite, Basalt) during the drilling process there will be a R220 per meter surcharge. In the event the type of rock is in question, the rock will be sent for an offsite evaluation and the costs will be shared equally between client and contractor.
15Must I sign the quote and terms and conditions?
Yes, the terms and conditions must be signed before we start drilling on your property. if East Lake start the drilling process on your property it is deemed that you have accepted and read the terms and conditions