How Boreholes Work – 7 Things to Know

Water is a big deal in this world. We use it for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. It’s a part of almost everything we do. That’s why it’s wise to understand the origin of your water, what problems it might face, and how to cope with those problems. It is an important task, especially for homeowners with private boreholes. Owning a water supply makes you a water guardian or a warden — which incurs a few special responsibilities on you. Want to know more interesting facts? Please sit back, relax, and let’s dive deeper into seven things to know about boreholes.

How Does Borehole Water Work?

When you turn on a faucet at your house, the water flow is generated through one of these sources—your municipal or city supply and private borehole water. A few significant distinctions follow these two types of water supplies:

• Municipal water supplies have a variety of origins, including lakes and rivers. Protection for this water is provided by regulations such as Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• Private boreholes are fed by groundwater, naturally existing under the Earth’s surface forever. But it is essential to realize that the same protection standard is not available for private boreholes because they are separate from city water supplies.

So if borehole water doesn’t come from the city, where is its origin? Here’s a background story about how boreholes work:

Rainwater and some of the surface water seep down through layers of rock and sediment and eventually end up in an aquifer — nature’s holding vessel — the volume of water changes according to the season. Hence, the amount of water in the aquifer varies too, which results in the water table rising and falling occasionally.

At some point in the history of your property, a borehole was created by breaking through the ground to reach the aquifer. This is done through an efficient system of water pipes or submersible pumps, casings and caps, which work together like lining/lid and protect water quality.

The water drawn up is then sent to an underground pressure tank installed in your house. And by now, you might have guessed what it controls — water pressure — that’s right.

You may now use this water for years. Most drilled boreholes don’t go dry, as evidenced by USGS. They may be prone to issues only if the pump intake is not fitted deep enough to enable a future reduction in the water table. Similarly, dug boreholes may only be subject to drying issues if placed too close to the surface or in an area with low permeability — sediments and rocks don’t allow a possible amount of water to seep into the aquifer.

Decisively, these stages create water that can be safe for consumption and usage in household chores. This may, however, be followed by some precautions, which are listed right below:

Is Hard Water An Issue For Borehole Users?

Do you know how hard water can be bad news for your skin, hair, shower walls, dishes, and even water-using appliances? A survey of the National water supply reported how water hardness varies according to the nature of the locality. But to our disadvantage, this fact may be of minor importance as you’re susceptible to hard water anywhere in the world if you’re a borehole user.

Water hardness signs include:

• Scaly skin or irritation
• Dry, breaking hair
• soap scum on shower doors and wall
• buildup on showerheads, faucets, and water appliances

The good news is that hard water has no dangerous characteristics but is irritating.

Are There Water Softeners in Boreholes?

If you and your water appliances are fed up with the provoking stains of hard water, there’s a solution at your fingertips. It is as simple as a water softener. These can be installed in your basements or garages regardless of your water source, so city water users and private borehole users can benefit.

Ever thought about what the cause of this unpleasant hard water is? Interestingly, naturally occurring minerals such as calcium and magnesium are responsible for it. These are positively charged molecules attracted by negatively charged resin beads in the water softeners. A saltwater solution rinses these beads and sends these excess minerals down the drain.

Do Other Issues Emerge in Boreholes?

Because borehole water resources are primarily groundwater, there is potential for contamination. Did you know that groundwater is not clear, even if it appears? It is composed of numerous contaminants and hazardous components. Proof of the increment in contamination is provided by the Government of Canada, which suggests that this increment results from a large and growing number of toxic compounds used in industries and agriculture.

According to the EPA, possible contaminants can include:

• Microorganisms like Viruses, Fungi, Archaea, etc
• Fluorine in excess quantity
• Naturally occurring and Organic chemicals
• Heavy metals

Luckily, there is no need to guess whether these contaminants are present or not. All you have to do is run a water test regularly to stay informed.

Should You Get Your Borehole Water Tested?

Generally, it is recommended that you get your water quality tested at least once a year. SA Clean Water offers a free water test that makes keeping up with annual water checkups convenient— reach out to us, and SA Clean Water Experts will handle the rest for you with the best outcome! Moreover, we can do additional tests for complex water quality issues through antimicrobial testing in a Certified Lab.

You must remember that yearly testing is just a quasi-newton. What will you do if unexpected events occur? The answer to this is the same—borehole water testing. These unexpected events may include:

• Floods
• Dry spells
• Obvious change in appearance, smell or taste of water
• Known water quality issues in your are
• Power cuts
• Issues in nearby septic tanks

Are Water Purifying Systems an Option for Borehole Users?

Boreholes are known to do their work underground, so it can be challenging to depict whether you are in charge of your water supply or not. There is no need to worry as we provide different filtration systems that put your water quality under your control. Here’s what you have to choose from:

• Point-of-entry purifying systems address common borehole issues like the presence of too much iron, hydrogen sulphide, arsenic, and other problems. They are termed whole-home filtration systems—why—for placing the system at the point-of-entry of borehole water into your home, so even the last litres of your water get purified
• Point of use water filtration systems dwell under your sinks. These drinking water filtration systems can be considered personal purifiers for individual faucets. Like whole-home-filtration systems, these do not filter the entire water supply to your house. Instead, work in one place. These are great options if you focus on pure, safe, and great-tasting drinking water

What Is Meant By Being Responsible For A Private Borehole?

This aspect is essential to understand, and by being a water warden, it means that you are responsible for a few main things, which are as follows:

• Water comfort: you have the power to fix unpleasant yet irritating issues like hard water and make borehole water work best for you.
• Frequent water testing: Making annual water testing a habit is necessary for those who own private boreholes.

Attentiveness to water: For your water supply, you are in charge. You are responsible for deciding when a test should be conducted. This is done by being watchful of your water supply’s taste, smell, and appearance.

• Borehole management: Managing the borehole is a part of your responsibility. If repairs or maintenance are necessary, ensure they have been performed accurately and on time.
• Borehole placement: The borehole placement should be done wisely. A locality with a minimum number of potential threats to your borehole, e.g. animal waste or septic systems, should be chosen. You should also learn more about the aquifer you wish to place, as the depth of your borehole will impact which type of borehole you’ll need.

Get Answers to Your Queries about Water

Do you still need a clear understanding of private boreholes, water quality, and water testing? You’ve come to the right place! At SA Clean Water, we know the importance the water holds for you, your household, and your community— so here, we wish to help you become a water guardian.

Get started today by scheduling your free home water test. Our team of experts will provide you with the necessary information and solutions to ensure the quality and safety of your borehole water supply.

Remember, being a responsible borehole owner means taking proactive steps to maintain the quality of your water. Regular testing, proper filtration systems, and attentive management are key to ensuring clean and safe water for your household.

Take charge of your borehole water and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is of the highest quality.