Borehole Drilling & Rehabilitation in Uganda

Understanding Boreholes

What Is a Borehole?

A borehole is a narrow, deep vertical hole drilled into the ground to access underground water stored in aquifers — permeable rock, sand, or gravel formations that hold groundwater. A production borehole is lined with steel or PVC casing, fitted with stainless steel screens to filter out sediment, and equipped with a pump system to raise water to the surface.

In Uganda, productive boreholes typically range from 40 to 200+ metres deep depending on the local geology and depth of the water table. Areas with crystalline basement rocks (common in Central and Western Uganda) may require deeper drilling compared to sedimentary zones in the Nile Basin and Albert Rift areas.

Clapson Aqua drilling rig truck at borehole site

Our Process

8-Step Borehole Drilling Process

Every Clapson Aqua borehole follows a rigorous, standards-compliant process from survey to commissioning.

Hydrogeological Survey & Site Selection

Our licensed hydrogeologists conduct a Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) geophysical survey to map subsurface geology, identify fracture zones, and recommend the optimal drilling point. This dramatically increases the probability of striking water and reduces the risk of a dry borehole.

Rig Mobilisation & Site Preparation

We mobilise our truck-mounted or crawler-mounted rotary drilling rig to site. A small sump pit is excavated for recycling drilling fluids, and the rig is positioned and levelled for safe operation.

Rotary Drilling

We use rotary percussion and direct circulation drilling methods. The drill bit cuts through soil, weathered rock, and hard crystalline rock while drilling fluid removes cuttings. Geological formation samples are collected at regular intervals and logged by our hydrogeologist.

Casing & Screen Installation

High-quality uPVC or steel casing is installed to support the borehole walls. Stainless steel wire-wound screens are positioned opposite aquifer zones to allow water entry while excluding sand and gravel. Gravel pack is placed around the screens for additional filtration.

Borehole Development

The critical process of removing fine sediment from the aquifer adjacent to the borehole, maximising water yield and clarity. We use airlift, surging, and back-washing methods until the water runs clear and yield stabilises.

Pumping Test

A constant-rate pumping test is conducted for a minimum of 6 hours (24+ hours for high-demand installations). Water level data is recorded to calculate transmissivity, storativity, safe sustainable yield, and recommended pump setting depth.

Water Quality Sampling

Water samples are collected and submitted to a certified laboratory for physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis. Results are used to design an appropriate water treatment system if required.

Pump Installation & Commissioning

A submersible pump, rising main, control panel, and wellhead protection structure are installed and tested. The client receives a complete borehole completion report including drilling log, pumping test results, and water quality analysis.

Restore Your Borehole

Borehole Rehabilitation

Many boreholes in Uganda — particularly those drilled 10–30+ years ago — are no longer functioning optimally due to pump failure, silting, incrustation, casing collapse, or deteriorating water quality. Our rehabilitation process restores them to full productivity.

Pump failure — Burnt-out motors, worn impellers, or failed rising mains
Borehole silting — Sand and silt accumulation reducing yield
Incrustation — Mineral deposits blocking screen slots
Casing collapse — Physical failure of old or low-grade casing
Deteriorating water quality — Increasing turbidity or contamination

Clapson Aqua borehole rehabilitation and pump extraction in progress

CCTV Borehole Camera Survey

A submersible camera is lowered into the borehole to assess the internal condition of casing, screens, and the borehole wall.

Pump & Rising Main Removal

Existing pump equipment is extracted for inspection and refurbishment or replacement.

Air Surging & Jetting

High-pressure air or water is used to break up and remove incrustation and sediment from screens and the aquifer.

Chemical Treatment

Where severe carbonate or iron incrustation is identified, controlled acid treatment dissolves deposits and restores screen slot conductivity.

New Pump Installation

A correctly sized, energy-efficient submersible pump is installed with new rising main and control panel.

Post-Rehabilitation Pumping Test

Yield is verified against pre-rehabilitation baseline. In most cases, yield improves by 50–200%.

Use Cases

Who Needs a Borehole?

Homeowners

Independent, safe water supply not dependent on municipal connections or tanker deliveries.

Schools & Universities

Reliable water for drinking, sanitation, and school feeding programmes.

Health Centres & Hospitals

Safe water is non-negotiable for infection control and patient care.

Hotels & Lodges

Reduce operational costs and ensure supply continuity during city water outages.

Factories & Industries

Process water, cooling water, and employee welfare needs.

Farms

Livestock watering, irrigation, post-harvest washing, and agro-processing.

NGOs & Development Projects

Community water supply schemes in rural and peri-urban areas.

Religious Institutions

Churches, mosques, and convents serving large congregations.

Pricing Guide

Borehole Drilling Cost in Uganda

Borehole drilling costs in Uganda depend on several factors. Indicative price range: UGX 15,000,000 – UGX 45,000,000 for a complete domestic borehole equipped with a submersible pump. Contact us for a site-specific quote.

Cost Factor	Impact on Price
Drilling depth	Deeper boreholes cost more per metre drilled
Geology	Hard crystalline rock requires more time and bit wear
Location	Remote areas attract mobilisation surcharges
Casing type	uPVC vs galvanised steel vs stainless steel
Pump type	Submersible electric vs solar vs hand pump
Civil works	Pump house, apron, fencing

Clapson Aqua completed borehole installation with pump and storage tank in Uganda