The Prices Of Drilling A Borehole In Zimbabwe - Are You Being Ripped Off?

How Much Does Drilling A Borehole In Zimbabwe Cost? These are common questions. And the answer for each is: “It depends.”

That is not being evasive. It is a sign of just how the geology of Zimbabwe varies, ranging from the sedimentary rocks to the metamorphosed rocks, to the granite intrusions. In addition, Zimbabwe’s groundwater produces varying yields and quality.

It is, therefore, to be expected that boreholes will differ in-depth, their construction, and how they are drilled.

Depth is invariably the main determining factor when it comes to the borehole cost. Most drill quotes are based on metres to be drilled. So whether you are drilling 10m, 100m or 300m will have a significant bearing on the price.

Borehole Drilling Depth In Borehole Cost: 

The Borehole Drilling depth will depend on the depth of the aquifer you are targeting. So a good knowledge of the area’s hydrogeology is essential. A sure way to waste money is to drill on and on without knowing exactly what you are targeting. Different drilling methods are required for different formations, and this will affect the borehole cost. In some settings, it’s possible to case off the top 6m of unconsolidated material. That is, using a pipe to protect the open hole – and then drilling down using air percussion.

This is where the drill hammer breaks the rock, and the chips are blown up out of the borehole using compressed air. In alluvial aquifers, mud rotary drilling uses drilling mud to keep the sand from collapsing and a rotating bit to bore through the sand.

The construction of a borehole contributes greatly to water-use costs.

Where there is deep weathering or changes in information competency or lots of clays, Odex drilling is necessary. This method involves pulling down the borehole casing during the drilling process. This keeps the borehole from collapsing, and can also enable you to drill through hard formations.

Construction: Borehole construction is another big contributor to cost. It is very important that a borehole is constructed appropriately. With an alluvial aquifer, you will need to choose your gravel pack and slot size correctly to avoid it silting up, while in a competent rock formation you will need to decide carefully whether there is a risk of borehole collapse.

‘Competent’ is relatively brittle, solid strata that deform by faulting, fracturing or folding, rather than flowing under stress, and are more likely to collapse, as noted. ‘Incompetent’ beds deform more readily under stress. As you can imagine, a 100m-deep borehole with just 6m of steel casing at the top will cost far less than a borehole that is fully encased; and steel casing will cost more than PVC.

If the driller needs to bring their drill rig some distance to get to you, the establishment cost may be higher.

Site access can also sometimes pose a problem, further complicating pricing the process.

Understand The Price:

Some tips to help you with drilling quotes: Make sure you understand the items listed. If something isn’t clear – ask for advice.

Seek out people in the area who have had boreholes drilled. What they tell you can be very valuable in determining borehole cost.

The Prices Of Drilling A Borehole In Zimbabwe - Are You Being Ripped Off?

If you feel a quote is too high, get another one from a different company. Just make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Check the quoted drill depth, the drill method, and the borehole construction to ensure the quotes are for the same things.

Finally, remember the cheapest option is not always the best option. You get what you pay for, and you want your borehole to last. Make sure you design, drill and construct it so that it does just that, even if it costs a bit more.

Kudakwashe is a hydrogeologist at ProWater Solutions (Borehole Drilling In Zimbabwe) and has managed drilling projects in various settings for farmers and municipalities.

Standard Rates In Zimbabwe (Updated 2023):

1. Siting: $90.00USD

2. Drilling and Casing: (40 Metres) $1200.00USD - (Using Class 6)

3. AC Electrical Installation: $1000.00USD

4. Solar Pump Installation: $1400.00USD

5. Extra Metres After 40 metres: USD $45.00USD per metre.

6. 5000 Litre Tank and 4 metre Tank Stand: $1000.00USD

7. Stuck Pump Fishing Out: $180.00USD 

8. Capacity Testing: $250.00USD

- Casing with Class 9 Casing incurs an additional $200.00USD.

- Double Casing: $20.00USD per metre.

Please Note: Prices provided here act as a guide only, they may be different at the time of contacting the contractor. Whilst due care has been taken to ensure the authenticity of the above list, the clients are encouraged to practice due diligence and ask for references before they engage a specific contractor.

This website is owned by ProWater Solutions (Borehole Drilling In Zimbabwe). 

We offer FREE expert advice to property owners who wish to or have boreholes drilled at their properties. We also work with pre-screened and trusted borehole drilling contractors who subscribe to quality workmanship and set standards of professional service. 

ProWater Solutions (Borehole Drilling In Zimbabwe) is meant to be a one-stop platform where clients can easily find professional borehole drilling and maintenance contractors. Of late, many property owners have been crying foul over ‘poor and dishonesty service’ from some contractors. This may be a case of a lack of information on the part of the client or truly dishonest service on the part of the contractor. 

This guide and our free expert advisory services will serve to solve both these problems.

ProWater Solutions Zimbabwe Has Extensive Coverage Around Zimbabwe.
We also have a substantial presence and exprerience in Borehole Siting and Borehole Drilling, Borehole Installation and Solar Systems.
Please Call Us On +263 77 389 8979 or +263 71 961 3479.

Please Note: If you are interested in getting Expert advice on Borehole Drilling and Borehole Installation in Zimbabwe, we provide that information for FREE here at ProWater Systems Zimbabwe. So feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your project by calling or sending a WhatsApp message.

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ProWater Solutions Zimbabwe is your premier choice for all your water well drilling needs. Our team of highly trained and experienced drillers and water technicians have a proven track record of delivering quality results. We take pride in our excellent safety and performance records, which have earned us a reputation as a reliable and trusted service provider.

With our customer-centric approach and state-of-the-art equipment, we are equipped to handle any type of water well drilling job with precision and efficiency. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in the high level of success we have achieved in our projects.

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