Borehole drilling in Nigeria - types, cost and process

Access to clean water should not be a hassle anymore since the discovery of boreholes.

Drilling a water borehole for your home in Nigeria is a profitable investment. A well-built water borehole provides an unlimited hygienic water supply but, more importantly, safeguards your entire household from diseases such as cholera, typhoid, infections, etc. 

For more than five decades now, boreholes have been the top source of clean and hygienic water in Nigeria. They are easy to maintain and effectively serve their purpose, especially when installed excellently.

This article will explain in simple terms every core detail you need to learn about borehole and their construction.

Lets get right to it.

1. Methods of borehole drilling

1.1 Manual borehole drilling

From the name manual, you can tell that this method is far cheaper and requires less heavy machinery than its counterpart. However, manual borehole drilling requires more workforce and time. It typically takes about 7-14 days before completion, and this is based on the available skilled laborers present to do the digging.

In regions with little to zero access to heavy machines, manual borehole drilling is the standard method adopted.

1.2 Heavy-duty borehole drilling

Heavy-duty borehole optimizes heavy machinery for borehole drilling. Its more efficient, requiring a lesser timeframe and manpower for completion. Heavy-duty drilling methods are often argued to produce cleaner water than manual drilling. However, its a more expensive method to implement than manual borehole drilling.

2. How much does borehole drilling cost in Nigeria?

There is no static price for borehole drilling in Nigeria. A few factors significantly determine the price of a borehole, and a few of them include the drilling method: manual or heavy-duty, the location, and the desired depth, which can be 100 feet and above.

Manual borehole drilling in some parts of Nigeria can be achieved with NGN120,000, while other locations may take up to NGN500,000.

Heavy-duty drilling is high maintenance. It’s expensive because of the machinery and equipment needed.  The cost of heavy-duty borehole drilling is between NGN700,000 to NGN20,000,000, mainly depending on the nature of the work that needs to be done.

3. Borehole drilling process in Nigeria

These are the basic steps to follow when drilling a borehole in Nigeria.

3.1 Site survey

The first step in drilling a borehole is site examination by hydrogeologists. This exercise analyzes the geological condition, identifies potential threats, and selects the perfect spot for drilling. It’s crucial to study the proposed site before launching into drilling. Don’t skip this stage.

3.2 Drilling commences

Here, you select your preferred drilling method, manual or heavy-duty, according to your budget and start drilling operations. This stage is saddled with a few challenges, but if you have professionals like us in charge of your drilling, you have no reason to be anxious. Ensure that you contract your drilling project to only experienced and professional artisans like our team at Daibau.

3.3 Install the casing

Casing installation is necessary to prevent the borehole from damage and preserve the water quality.

3.4 Testing phase

At the completion of the drilling process, conduct aquifer testing to determine the borehole’s yield. A test pump is performed by pumping the water for some time to understand the borehole yield better.

3.5 Water treatment

This is totally an optional process but necessary in cases where the water quality is not safe for consumption. Proper water treatment systems should be put in place to ensure the water pumped into your home meets the safety standard and is hygienic for consumption.

3.6 Piping and borehole pump installation

Following the consultation with your expert, choose the suitable piping system and borehole pump of your choice. This is more about what works for you and the type of service you desire for your borehole.

4. What is the difference between drilling and borehole?

The two words drilling, and borehole are frequently used side by side, but they refer to two distinct things.

Drilling describes the process of digging a hole or a well into the earth’s surface using specialized equipment. Its a broad term that is loosely used to describe not only water extraction but also natural resource extraction, etc. Industries specializing in oil and gas exploration, mining, or geothermal energy conduct a lot of drilling.

A borehole, on the other hand, refers to a narrow hole bored directly deep into the ground. They are meant to access water for diverse purposes such as domestic use, industrial use, agricultural use, etc.

It’s safe to say that a borehole is a unique type of drilling process to access water from underground aquifers. While drilling is a general term that can be used to describe different purposes such as water extraction, mineral extraction, mining, etc., the borehole is only used to access water.

5. Borehole drilling company in Nigeria

If you are searching for a professional borehole drilling company anywhere in Nigeria, we are your best bet. We have seasoned experts near you available to handle your borehole project and provide you with a clean and safe water supply.

At Daibau.ng, we handle your borehole installation following the best practices suitable for your home. Although you need a certain amount of money before embarking on this project, we always work within your budget.

Our professionals have worked with clients all over Nigeria and beyond. Get in touch, and we will connect you to the best in the industry for excellent borehole drilling services. Click the link below.