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Water Yield Test for Boreholes


Your journey to achieving water security with RHINOTRACK can only be fully realised once we have determined the viability, or sustainability, of your borehole.


By conducting a yield test, we are to assess the balance between the maximum amount of water extracted from the borehole and the amount of water that recharges back from the surrounding groundwater source. This process entails the controlled extraction of water from the borehole while monitoring the resulting decline, or drawdown, of the aquifer’s level. Not only does this provide us with insight into the aquifer’s capacity to replenish the extracted water, but it also ensures sustainable water extraction over an extended period.

We do this by installing a test pump in the drilled borehole and then increasing the pump rate slowly at specified intervals, allowing us to measure the discharge rate at every interval. This step drawdown test ensures the effectiveness of the borehole. Next, we must confirm that the water can be extracted sustainably. This is done by conducting a constant discharge test. For a predetermined time, the water will be pumped constantly from the borehole, and the water levels will be recorded and analysed.

resin-manhole cover

Recovery Test

Following the yield test, a recovery test is conducted by measuring the water level within the borehole immediately after the test pump is switched off. This additional test provides us with meaningful data on the groundwater’s response to pumping. It helps assess the impact that the extraction has on the groundwater level and identifies the possible limitations of a potentially finite water source. The recovery test measures the borehole’s ability to replenish itself with the remaining water level decline, or residual drawdown, indicating the aquifer’s degree of dewatering.

The Importance of Testing

Analysing the data gathered from these tests offers valuable insights for two major reasons. Firstly, we can analyse individual boreholes’ yield sustainability, which gives us a better understanding of how much water your borehole can supply long-term without compromising the groundwater source. Secondly, this analysis sheds light on the overall potential of the aquifer itself, giving us pertinent information about the underground water source’s recharge capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a borehole yield test or recovery test necessary?

A borehole is an investment in your water security which would be compromised if we didn’t conduct these tests to determine the borehole’s long-term viability. The yield test also helps us determine the quality of the extracted water by sending a sample to an approved laboratory for chemical analysis.

Every borehole is unique. Even those drilled mere metres apart can have varying producing capabilities. Remember that you share the same aquifer as those around you and excessive pumping from your borehole can impact your neighbour’s by drawing down on a shared water source. That is why we conduct the yield test. Based on the test’s result, we size your pump keeping in mind your specific requirements. This ensures that the borehole cannot be over-pumped.

Extracting excessive water from your borehole can disrupt the delicate balance between water extraction and recharge. This, together with insufficient rainfall to replenish the aquifer, can result in a decline in your borehole’s yield over time. Responsible water use is key to maintaining a consistent and sustainable source of water.

At RHINOTRACK we are committed to responsible and ethical drilling practices and constantly seek innovative methods to optimise water extraction without sacrificing sustainability. Our priority is to ensure the continued viability of groundwater sources, safeguarding this vital and finite resource for future generations. This is our way of investing in a future where water security is a reality for all.

About Rhino Track

RhinoTrack is an advanced Fleet Monitoring System with management capabilities that offers much more features than a standard GPS Tracking system at comparable or in most cases lower cost.

Phone: +233 544 349 564

Email:info@rhino-track.com

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