The Pros and Cons of Drilling and Installing A Borehole In Zimbabwe

Most governments are for one reason or another struggling to meet the freshwater needs of their respective populations. This has necessitated the need for alternative water sources. 

One of the most popular options in recent times is borehole water. With the increased impact of climate change manifesting as droughts and water shortages, there is a high demand for substitute water supplies. Borehole water has emerged as one of the most popular alternatives to help us meet our water needs. Here is a look at the pros and cons of installing a borehole.

What Is A Borehole? Let us start by giving a very brief description of what exactly a borehole is. A borehole can be seen as a very narrow vertical or horizontal intrusion made in the ground that allows you to access natural underground water. The borehole will work by taping into the underground source of water. A pump is then used to send water to the surface.

If you are considering drilling a borehole on your property then consider the following benefits as well as setbacks.

The Pros of Drilling and Installing A Borehole In Zimbabwe:

1. Cost: The initial cost of a site survey, drilling, pump installation, and equipment purchase is quite high. However, one of the biggest advantages of boreholes is that once installed your water usage is completely free. Therefore you can recoup your initial investment in saved monthly water bills. This will enable you to recover all the money you would have spent for the setup of the borehole.

The Pros and Cons of Drilling and Installing A Borehole In Zimbabwe

2. Financial Benefits: Secondly, you can significantly reduce your monthly utility bill as you would have cut out a significant portion of your expenses. These long-term savings will give you great financial gain and allow you to divert money to other projects. Moreover, in certain countries, you might actually qualify for tax breaks as well as government grants. It’s a win-win situation.

3. Taste: The majority of borehole users claim the water has a pleasantly natural and refreshing taste. Most people prefer borehole water in comparison to council supplied and treated water. The pure and natural taste of borehole water emanates from the fact that the water is not chemically treated or purified.

4. Eco-friendly: The borehole installation process is more environmentally friendly as compared to the large scale water extraction and purification process of council water. On average a residential borehole takes a few days to drill and setup. After this, you are at liberty to use it for your water needs without much impact on the environment. The water filtering process on boreholes is also energy efficient, allowing you to minimise your energy usage.

The Cons of Drilling and Installing A Borehole In Zimbabwe

In as much as there are several fantastic benefits to installing a borehole, there are also some associated disadvantages.

1. Cost: One of the greatest barriers to people installing boreholes is the high cost of installing a unit. The cost of drilling a borehole and acquiring the required equipment is beyond the means of many. In addition to the cost of drilling, you also have to buy casing pipes, a pipe, a water tank, plus a few other items. The bill for installation quickly adds up.

2. Health: Although more natural, you’re and cleaner, the lack of purifying agents could expose you to health issues. As a countermeasure, you can make use of chlorine to purify the water and kill harmful bacteria. Most borehole users install a water purifying and treatment systems to that the water before it reaches the house.

3. Maintenance: Your borehole equipment, particularly the pump with require regular service and maintenance. This is an added expense to you. Moreover, your electricity usage will spike, meaning a higher electricity bill. This is because pumps require electricity for them to run.

4. Sustainability: The continued drilling and installation of boreholes, together with increased use, will significantly reduce the water table. This will adversely affect the environment in the long run.