One of the first questions homeowners ask before drilling a borehole sounds simple enough: where on the property should the borehole go?
It is a fair question, but the answer is often more complex than many people expect. Some homeowners rely on water diviners. Others look at where a neighbour’s borehole was drilled and assume the same logic will apply to their own property. Some choose the easiest point for plumbing, while others leave the decision entirely to the drilling team when the rig arrives.
In reality, borehole positioning should never be treated as guesswork or convenience.
The location of a borehole can influence water quality, yield, maintenance access, contamination risk and the long-term reliability of the entire system.
A well-positioned borehole can quietly serve a property for decades. A poorly positioned one can become a costly source of frustration, producing poor water, requiring frequent intervention, or exposing the household to avoidable contamination risks.
Groundwater does not sit beneath a property like water in a swimming pool. It moves through fractures in rock, soil layers and aquifers shaped by geology, slope, terrain and surrounding land use. This means two boreholes drilled only a short distance apart can perform very differently.
One may produce clean, stable water for years, while another may battle with low yield, sand, bacterial contamination or maintenance problems.
This is why position matters far more than most property owners realise.
In many parts of South Africa, borehole positioning is still surrounded by old habits and local myths. Divining rods, neighbour recommendations and “best guess” drilling points remain common. While local experience can be useful, groundwater is not evenly distributed, and no single method should replace proper site assessment and practical risk management.
Experienced drillers often rely on a combination of geological knowledge, local borehole records, visible terrain features and previous drilling experience in the area.
Certain rock formations, fractured zones and geological structures are more likely to produce sustainable groundwater than solid, unfractured formations. This is not mysticism. It is pattern recognition built from regional knowledge and practical drilling history.
However, finding water is only part of the decision. A borehole must also be positioned in a way that protects the water once it is found.
One of the most overlooked factors is contamination risk.
A borehole drilled too close to a septic tank, soakaway, sewer line, livestock enclosure, compost area or heavily fertilised garden may be vulnerable to pollutants moving through the soil and eventually reaching the groundwater.
In some cases, borehole water testing later reveals bacterial or nitrate problems that are not caused by the geology itself, but by poor positioning and surrounding land use.
This is especially important where borehole water may be used for domestic purposes or drinking water. Even if treatment systems are installed later, preventing contamination at source is always better than trying to correct it afterwards.
Surface water must also be considered. During heavy rain, runoff carries soil, waste, fertiliser, animal matter and other contaminants downhill. A borehole placed at the lowest point of a property, or in an area where water collects, is exposed to greater risk.
If the upper borehole seal is poor or the surrounding surface is not properly protected, contaminated runoff may find a pathway downward over time.
For this reason, higher ground is often preferable, provided the position also makes sense geologically and practically.
A borehole should ideally be kept away from low-lying collection points, stormwater paths and areas where dirty surface water naturally gathers.
Access is another major consideration. Borehole rigs are large, heavy machines. They need enough space to enter the property, manoeuvre safely and operate without obstruction. Narrow driveways, low-hanging trees, overhead power lines, soft ground and steep slopes can all complicate drilling.
But access is not only a drilling-day issue. Years after installation, the pump may need to be pulled, pipes may need to be replaced, electrical systems may need servicing, or the borehole may need rehabilitation. A borehole hidden in a tight courtyard, placed under paving, trapped behind landscaping or positioned where no vehicle can reach it can turn routine maintenance into a costly exercise.
Homeowners should therefore think beyond the installation date.
The borehole must remain accessible for the full life of the system.
Neighbouring boreholes can provide useful clues, but they should not be treated as a guarantee. If several properties in the area have successful boreholes, it may indicate favourable groundwater conditions. However, that does not mean every point on a property will perform the same.
A neighbour’s strong borehole does not automatically mean your chosen drilling point will produce the same result.
Local drilling history should guide the discussion, not replace proper positioning logic.
Poor positioning can also affect water quality in ways that only become obvious years later. A borehole placed near contamination sources may initially seem fine, only for bacterial or nitrate issues to appear after seasons of rainfall, changing land use or gradual movement of contaminants through the soil.
Once that happens, the solutions are often expensive. Treatment systems may be required, the borehole may need ongoing management, or in severe cases the water source may become unsuitable for its intended use.
These mistakes are difficult to undo because the problem is underground.
Once a borehole is drilled in the wrong position, moving it is not a simple adjustment. It often means drilling again.
For homeowners, the goal is not to become groundwater experts. The goal is to ask better questions before approving a drilling point.
A sensible borehole position should be away from septic tanks, sewer lines, stormwater drains, kraals, compost areas and heavily fertilised sections of the property. It should avoid low-lying areas where runoff collects. It should allow access for the drilling rig and future maintenance.
It should not be placed where future building work, paving or landscaping will make access difficult. It should also be close enough to the planned tank, pump and pressure system layout to avoid unnecessary plumbing complexity.
A useful way to visualise the ideal position is to think of the borehole as sitting on cleaner, higher ground, with contamination risks lower down or well away from the water source. The borehole should not be in the path of dirty runoff, and it should not sit beside the very systems most likely to threaten water quality.
Before confirming a drilling point, homeowners should walk the property carefully and ask a few direct questions. Is the proposed spot far enough from septic tanks and soakaways?
Is it away from sewer lines, stormwater drains and waste pipes? Is it clear of livestock areas, compost heaps and heavily fertilised garden sections?
Does rainwater collect there after storms? Can a rig reach the area? Will the pump be accessible in future? Is there space nearby for tanks and a pressure system? Is the area likely to be paved over, built on or blocked off later?
The drilling contractor should also be able to explain why the proposed position makes sense. A vague answer should raise concern. The homeowner does not need a technical lecture, but the recommendation should be based on more than convenience.
Where a borehole is drilled is not a minor detail. It is a decision that can shape the performance, safety and cost of the system for decades.
A good borehole position becomes almost invisible over time. The system works, the water remains usable, and maintenance can be handled without drama.
A poor position, however, becomes a permanent problem hidden beneath the ground, one that may only reveal itself after the money has already been spent.
A borehole should not be positioned only around the current layout of the property. Homeowners should also consider future extensions, garages, paving, boundary walls, driveways, swimming pools or landscaping plans.
A borehole that seems well placed today may become difficult to access if it is later built over or boxed in. It is also sensible to avoid placing the borehole too close to foundations, retaining walls or structures where future maintenance work could become disruptive.
Before approving the drilling point, homeowners should ask themselves whether the borehole will still be reachable in five, ten or twenty years.
Furthermore, before drilling begins, homeowners should confirm whether any municipal by-laws, estate rules, body corporate requirements or water-use registration obligations apply to their property.
In many residential cases, borehole use may be straightforward, but requirements can vary depending on location, volume of water used, and whether the property forms part of an estate, farm, commercial site or shared supply system.
This step is often overlooked until the drilling date is already booked. Confirming the rules early helps avoid delays, disputes with neighbours, or compliance issues later.
For South African homeowners considering a borehole, the message is simple: do not only ask whether there is water underground.
Ask whether the chosen position gives that water the best chance of remaining clean, accessible and reliable for years to come.
Borehole positioning checklist
Before approving a drilling point, consider the following:
- Is the proposed spot at least 20 to 30 metres away from any septic tank or soakaway?
- Is it far from sewer lines, stormwater drains or waste pipes?
- Is it away from livestock enclosures, kraals or compost areas?
- Is it away from heavily fertilised garden sections?
- Is it positioned away from low-lying areas where rainwater collects?
- Can a large drilling rig access the site safely?
- Will maintenance teams be able to reach the borehole in future?
- Is there practical space nearby for tanks, pumps and pressure equipment?
- Is the area unlikely to be paved over, built on or blocked off later?
- Has the drilling contractor explained why the position suits the property’s geology and layout?
- Have neighbouring boreholes been considered as part of the local picture, without treating them as a guarantee?
To further assist you, here is Borehole SA’s common mistakes that can compromise a borehole
Even when water is found, poor positioning or poor surface protection can undermine the long-term performance of a borehole.
Many problems only appear months or years later, when water quality changes, maintenance becomes difficult, or contamination risks start showing up in test results.
The table below outlines common mistakes homeowners should avoid before drilling begins:
| Common mistake | Why it matters | Possible long-term result | Better approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drilling too close to a septic tank or soakaway | Wastewater can move through soil and contaminate groundwater, especially after heavy rain or where soil is porous. | Bacterial contamination, nitrate issues, unsafe drinking water, expensive treatment requirements, or possible abandonment of the borehole. | Keep the borehole well away from septic tanks, soakaways, sewer lines and waste systems. Where possible, position it uphill and away from contamination pathways. |
| Placing the borehole in a low-lying area | Low points collect stormwater runoff, which may carry soil, fertiliser, animal waste, chemicals and bacteria. | Surface contaminants may enter the borehole through poor seals, cracks or poorly protected upper layers. | Choose higher, cleaner ground where water drains away from the borehole head, not towards it. |
| Leaving the borehole head exposed at ground level | A poorly finished borehole head can allow surface water, insects, debris or contaminants to enter the system. | Recurring water quality problems, bacterial contamination, blocked equipment or costly corrective work. | Raise and seal the borehole head properly. Use a secure casing, sealed cap and well-constructed concrete apron around the opening. |
| Failing to slope the surface away from the borehole head | Even if the borehole is well positioned, water can pool around the casing if the surface finish is poor. | Dirty water may sit around the borehole after rain, increasing contamination risk over time. | Shape the surrounding surface so rainwater drains away from the borehole. Avoid depressions or uneven concrete around the casing. |
| Drilling where the rig can barely access the site | A difficult drilling position may increase costs, delay the job or limit the quality of the installation. | Higher installation costs, damaged paving or landscaping, and future difficulty with maintenance or pump removal. | Make sure a drilling rig can access the site safely, with enough space for operation and future servicing. |
| Positioning the borehole where it may later be built over | Homeowners sometimes place the borehole where future paving, garages, extensions or landscaping may block access. | Expensive maintenance, restricted pump removal, or the need to break paving or structures later. | Consider future building plans before drilling. The borehole should remain accessible for decades. |
| Choosing a spot only because it is close to the house | Shorter pipe runs are convenient, but convenience does not always mean the safest or best drilling point. | Increased contamination risk, poor yield, or compromised long-term access. | Balance plumbing convenience with geology, contamination risk, runoff direction and maintenance access. |
| Copying the neighbour’s borehole position | A nearby successful borehole is useful information, but groundwater conditions can change over short distances. | Poor yield, unexpected drilling depth, or disappointment when results differ from neighbouring properties. | Use neighbouring boreholes as a guide, not a guarantee. Ask the driller to explain the site-specific reasoning. |
| Ignoring livestock, kraals or compost areas | Animal waste and decomposing organic matter can increase bacterial and nitrate contamination risks. | Water that may require treatment before domestic use, especially if used for drinking. | Keep the borehole away from livestock enclosures, compost areas, manure storage and fertilised garden zones. |
| Not protecting the borehole from vehicle damage | Boreholes placed near driveways, farm tracks or working yards can be damaged by vehicles or equipment. | Broken casing, damaged pipework, contamination pathways or system failure. | Install visible protection, bollards or barriers where vehicles may pass near the borehole head. |
| Using an unsuitable or loose borehole cap | An open, cracked or poorly fitted cap allows insects, dust, small animals, leaves and dirty water into the borehole. | Contamination, odour, blocked pipes, pump damage or failed water tests. | Fit a proper sanitary borehole seal or secure cap designed to protect the opening. |
| Forgetting about electrical and control equipment placement | Pumps, control boxes and cables need safe, dry and accessible installation points. | Electrical faults, unsafe operation, water damage, nuisance tripping or difficult repairs. | Plan the borehole position together with the electrical supply, pump controls, tank location and pressure system. |
| Allowing garden chemicals or fertiliser near the borehole | Chemicals applied near the borehole area can move through soil or runoff paths over time. | Elevated nitrates or chemical traces in borehole water, requiring treatment or restricted use. | Keep fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and chemical storage away from the borehole zone. |
| Failing to inspect the borehole head after heavy rain | Rain often reveals whether water is pooling around the casing or flowing towards the borehole. | Problems may go unnoticed until water testing shows contamination. | Check the borehole area after heavy rain. If water pools nearby, improve drainage and surface protection. |
| Treating borehole positioning as a one-day decision | A borehole is long-term infrastructure, not just a drilling job. | Permanent layout problems, ongoing maintenance frustration and avoidable costs. | Think of the borehole as part of the property’s long-term water system, including tanks, pumps, access, testing and maintenance. |
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Be sure to read: How Much Borehole Water Can You Legally Use in South Africa