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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Groundwater Fundamentals » Knowledge Hub
Groundwater supply project lifecycle
Posted on 25 September 2019
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.