Across South Africa and many parts of the world, households are increasingly moving off-grid. Rising municipal tariffs, ageing infrastructure, water restrictions, and load shedding have pushed families to drill boreholes and rely more heavily on groundwater. While boreholes offer independence and resilience, they also come with a critical responsibility: regular water quality testing.
When the Jacobs family woke up one Monday morning in Cape Town, they didn’t expect anything unusual. Coffee machine on. Showers running. School lunches are being packed. And then — nothing. The kitchen tap coughed once and went silent.
A municipal pipe had burst down the road.
By midday, WhatsApp groups were buzzing. “Anyone else without water?” “How long will it take?” “Does anyone have spare JoJo capacity?” The outage lasted two days. Two very long, very inconvenient days.
That week, the Jacobs decided they were done relying solely on municipal supply regulated by the Department of Water and Sanitation. They called a drilling company. Within weeks, they had a borehole. The water flowed reliably. The garden recovered. Showers were no longer scheduled around pressure drops.
Independence felt empowering.
But in the excitement of “having water again,” one crucial step was overlooked: comprehensive water quality testing.
The assumption was simple — groundwater is natural, therefore it must be clean.
It’s a common belief. Across South Africa, as households respond to rising tariffs, infrastructure strain, and climate uncertainty, more families are turning to boreholes. Yet very few fully understand that moving off municipal supply shifts the responsibility for water safety from government oversight to the homeowner.
The day the taps ran dry was a wake-up call about supply.
What many families don’t realise is that water quality requires a second wake-up call — one that often comes quietly, without warning, unless you choose to test for it.
Owning a borehole does not automatically guarantee safe water. In fact, untreated groundwater can pose serious health and infrastructure risks if not properly monitored. Installing a borehole at your home is far more than simply drilling a hole in the ground — it is a structured technical process that requires proper planning, hydrogeological assessment, and professional installation. First, a hydrogeologist or borehole specialist conducts a site survey to determine the best drilling location based on underground aquifers and geological formations. Once drilling begins, the borehole is sunk to the required depth, steel or PVC casing is installed to prevent collapse, and a gravel pack is added to stabilize the formation.
A submersible pump is then fitted, along with rising mains, cabling, control panels, and pressure systems. The borehole must be developed and flushed to remove sediment, followed by yield testing to determine sustainable water output. Critically, the water must be quality tested before household use to assess microbiological and chemical safety. Finally, this is where a skilled plumber becomes essential — connecting the borehole to your home’s plumbing system, installing non-return valves, filtration systems, pressure tanks, and ensuring there is no cross-contamination with the municipal supply. A good plumber doesn’t just connect pipes; they protect your health, your appliances, and your long-term investment.
Let’s be honest — in today’s world, your emergency contact list should include a doctor, a lawyer… and a plumber. Especially in Cape Town, where half the city has a borehole, a JoJo tank, a greywater system, and at least one mysterious pipe no one dares to touch. A best friend who’s a plumber means you don’t panic when the geyser sounds like it’s auditioning for a horror movie, or when your “quick DIY fix” turns into an indoor water feature. Instead of frantically Googling at 10 pm, you send a voice note: “Bestie… It’s leaking.” And the good news? Cape Townians can actually go and meet their future plumbing bestie at Cape Town’s Biggest Plumbing Family Event — hosted by the Inclusive Plumbers Association Family. It’s networking, but with more pipes and fewer awkward small talk moments. Honestly, in this economy, friendship is nice — but friendship with a qualified plumber? That’s wealth.
Why Borehole Water Is Not Automatically Safe
Groundwater travels through soil and rock formations before reaching your borehole. Along the way, it can dissolve minerals, absorb contaminants, or become exposed to pollution sources such as:
- Septic tanks
- Agricultural runoff (fertilisers, pesticides)
- Industrial discharge
- Landfills
- Flooding events
Unlike municipal water, which is regulated and disinfected under standards such as Department of Water and Sanitation guidelines and SANS 241 drinking water specifications, borehole water is the homeowner’s responsibility.
The Health Risks of Untested Borehole Water
1. Microbiological Contamination
The presence of E. coli or total coliform bacteria indicates faecal contamination. This can cause:
- Severe diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Serious illness in children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals
Even crystal-clear water can contain harmful bacteria. Visual clarity does not equal safety.
2. Chemical Contaminants
Common groundwater concerns include:
- Nitrates: Often from fertilizers or septic systems. Dangerous for infants (blue baby syndrome).
- Fluoride: High levels can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis.
- Heavy Metals: Iron, manganese, lead, or arsenic may occur naturally depending on geology.
- Hardness & Scaling Minerals: Calcium and magnesium damage appliances and plumbing.
Long-term exposure to certain chemical contaminants may lead to chronic health problems.
Infrastructure & Financial Impacts
Untested borehole water can quietly damage:
- Geysers
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Irrigation systems
- Pool equipment
High iron or manganese causes staining. Hard water creates scale buildup. Acidic water corrodes pipes.
A single geyser replacement often costs more than several years of proper water testing.
Why Testing Is Even More Important Now
As households reduce municipal usage:
- Borehole water is used for drinking and cooking, not just gardening.
- Hybrid systems mix municipal and groundwater.
- Water storage tanks increase stagnation risks.
- Backup systems operate during outages.
Increased dependence means increased risk if the water quality is unknown.
Off-grid living requires water independence — but also water intelligence.
One of the biggest mistakes borehole owners make is assuming that clear water is clean water. Many skip routine microbiological testing, ignore changes in taste or smell, or only test once—when the borehole is first drilled. Another common error is poor tank hygiene: storage tanks are often left uncleaned for years, with damaged lids, cracked seals, or open vents that allow insects, rodents, dust, and bird droppings to enter. Sediment builds up at the bottom of tanks, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Some homeowners also fail to disinfect the system after pump repairs, flooding, or plumbing work, increasing the risk of contamination. Cross-connections between municipal and borehole systems without proper backflow prevention further raise health risks. Ultimately, neglecting maintenance, skipping annual testing, and overlooking basic sanitation practices can quietly turn a valuable water source into a pathway for contaminated drinking water.
How Often Should Borehole Water Be Tested?
At minimum:
- Once per year for full chemical and microbiological analysis
- Immediately after flooding or heavy rains
- When taste, smell, or color changes
- If anyone in the household becomes frequently ill
High-use households should consider bi-annual testing.
What Should Be Tested?
A comprehensive household borehole test should include:
Microbiological:
- E. coli
- Total coliforms
Basic Chemistry:
- pH
- Electrical conductivity
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Hardness
- Alkalinity
Health-Related Parameters:
- Nitrates
- Fluoride
- Iron & Manganese
- Heavy metals (if geology indicates risk)
For homeowners who want certainty rather than assumptions, testing has never been easier. You can purchase our 25 in 1 Water Testing Kit for convenient at-home screening of key physical and chemical parameters, giving you immediate insight into your borehole’s condition. For a more comprehensive analysis — including microbiological safety — you are welcome to bring your water samples to us for professional laboratory testing and interpretation. Whether you choose DIY monitoring or full laboratory support, the important step is the same: test regularly, act on the data, and protect your household’s health with confidence.
Treatment Without Testing Is Guesswork
Many homeowners install filtration systems without knowing the actual problem. This leads to:
- Overspending on unnecessary equipment
- Undersized systems
- Incorrect filter media
- False sense of safety
Testing provides a scientific foundation for choosing:
- UV sterilization
- Reverse osmosis
- Iron removal systems
- Water softeners
- Carbon filtration
Data-driven treatment is efficient and cost-effective.
Property Value & Compliance
When selling a home with a borehole, water quality reports increase buyer confidence. In some cases, especially for rental properties or estates, documented water quality may be required for compliance or insurance purposes.
A borehole is an asset — but only if the water is proven safe.
Peace of Mind
Water is used daily — for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking, bathing, and washing food. Knowing your water is safe protects:
- Your family’s health
- Your financial investment
- Your appliances
- Your long-term independence
Off-grid living is empowering. But empowerment without testing is a risk.
Final Thought
A few years ago, a family in Cape Town decided they had had enough of rising tariffs and water restrictions. After living through the anxiety of Cape Town water crisis, they wanted independence. They invested in a borehole, installed a pump, connected their tanks, and proudly told friends they were “off-grid.” The water ran clear. It tasted fine. The garden flourished. Everything seemed perfect.
Until their youngest child started experiencing recurring stomach cramps.
It was nothing dramatic at first — just mild illness that came and went. They blamed school lunches, then a seasonal bug. Months later, during a routine property valuation, a consultant suggested they test their borehole water. The results revealed elevated coliform bacteria and high nitrate levels from nearby runoff after heavy rains. The water that looked pure had been quietly compromised.
Fortunately, the problem was fixable. With proper disinfection, filtration upgrades, tank cleaning, and a scheduled testing plan, their borehole became what it was always meant to be: a secure, resilient water source. But the lesson was clear.
Moving away from municipal supply is not just an infrastructure decision — it is a public health decision. When households disconnect from regulated systems overseen by bodies like the Department of Water and Sanitation, they also take on the responsibility of monitoring, maintenance, and safety.
Groundwater is not dangerous — but unmanaged groundwater can be.
Regular borehole water quality testing transforms groundwater from an unknown variable into a reliable, safe resource. It provides data instead of assumptions. It replaces guesswork with science. It ensures that independence does not come at the cost of health.
In an era of climate variability, aging infrastructure, and rising utility costs, smart households do not just drill boreholes.
They monitor them.
Because true water security is not about access alone — it is about assurance.
0 Comments