Groundwater Fundamentals

A Guide to Compiling a Water Balance for a Geohydrological Report

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Written by: Abigail Oellermann, GEOSS (abi@geoss.co.za) Download Article Background: Water scarcity in South Africa Water is a critical resource, especially in areas facing scarcity and increasing demand such as a semi-arid country like South Africa. Ensuring sustainable water management practices is crucial for both current needs and future growth. A key component of effective water […]

Posted on 30 June 2024

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Driller’s Airlift Yield- dam and V-notch

The Dos and Don’ts of Testing Borehole Yields

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Written by Kes Murray   Many boreholes get over-pumped, leading to pump failure/burnout, borehole clogging, impacts on other groundwater users and spring flows, and even land subsidence. While this is usually only discussed when a neighbouring land owner drills new boreholes or when large infrastructure investments are lost due to yield drops after 2 months […]

Posted on 29 September 2022

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Everything you need to know about drilling a borehole at home

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Written by Reuben Lazarus    With the threat of Day zero still looming in parts of South Africa, the question of getting a borehole in your backyard is still on the mind of many concerned citizen wanting to secure their water supply. Whether this is for drinking water, filling up swimming pools or garden irrigation, […]

Posted on 29 July 2022

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Collecting water samples with the GEOSS team

Understanding groundwater in South Africa

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Groundwater, aquifers and boreholes This article first appeared in Fresh Quarterly. The Water and irrigation issue 16: 2020 – 03. Written by Anna Mouton What do half the people and half the crops on earth have in common? Their survival depends on groundwater.     Only about 2.5% of all water on earth is fresh. […]

Posted on 1 June 2022

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Groundwater – general guidelines towards monitoring and management (funded by Potatoes South Africa)

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

The intention is to provide a broad overview of groundwater resources in terms of how it occurs (its distribution across South Africa)
as well as an overview of the complete “life cycle” of groundwater development projects (starting with drilling and on through yield testing; monitoring and all the way to the authorization of the use of groundwater).

Posted on 16 February 2022

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drip-irrigation

Borehole water: How to get a South African Water Use License (WULA)

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Usually, the preparations made for groundwater exploration, drilling, and testing the yield and quality of boreholes culminates in the registration or authorisation of the use of new groundwater. While Section 21 of the National Water Act No. 36 of 1998 guides the groundwater user in terms of the authorization process, there are various aspects that should be taken into consideration.

Posted on 3 October 2021

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Bore hole water shooting up

The comprehensive checklist for drilling a borehole

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Written by Dale Barrow  Drilling and having a borehole is an asset that should last you at least 10 to 15 years at very little ongoing cost, provided you do everything correctly at the start! If you don’t, it can become a very expensive and time-consuming liability with continual repair or replacement of pumps. The […]

Posted on 13 September 2021

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Drill Rig

Borehole Yield Testing

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

How to correctly follow a borehole yield test? The South African National Standard for the test pumping of water boreholes (SANS 10299-4:2003) clearly prescribes how the borehole yield testing is to be carried out. Remember the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will only authorise groundwater use if the correct (above) method of borehole yield […]

Posted on 24 October 2020

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Groundwater Cycle

Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub

Groundwater supply project lifecycle

Posted on 25 September 2019

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Client Testimonial

Morning Julian,
Thank you very much. The process helped us greatly in understanding why our pump was damaged and highlights that we need to manage our systems better. The monitoring and telemetry will help us enormously.

— Karl D Feil – Manager, Boschenmeer Golf & Country Estate

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