When people think of drilling a borehole, they usually picture just one—and for many properties, that’s all you need. But what if your water needs are higher than the average household? Whether you’re running a farm, a residential estate, or a small business, figuring out how many boreholes your property really needs can help you avoid shortages, overspending, or unnecessary drilling. Let’s break it down.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Understanding Borehole Requirements
There’s no universal answer to how many boreholes a property needs. It comes down to water demand, borehole yield, and daily consumption patterns. Here’s how the math works:
tank with pump system installed by LiquaFlo, providing off-grid water solutions in Gauteng">
1. Start With Your Daily Water Demand
Water usage varies widely depending on how your property is used:
- Residential: A family of four uses about 800–1,200 litres per day.
- Commercial (office): Expect 25–50 litres per person per day, more with sanitation or cooling needs.
- Agricultural: Can range from 1,000 litres/day (small-scale crops) to tens of thousands/day for livestock or irrigation.
💡 Pro Tip: Include seasonal usage (like irrigation in summer) in your estimate!
2. Check Your Borehole Yield
Yield is how much water a single borehole can produce in a day, and it depends on factors like:
- Geology and location
- Depth of the borehole
- Pump type and efficiency
On average, boreholes in Gauteng deliver 1,000–5,000 litres/day—but some go higher.
3. Do the Math
Here’s a simplified formula:
Number of Boreholes = Total Daily Water Need ÷ Average Borehole Yield
Example 1:
A home uses 1,200 litres/day. One borehole that produces 2,000 litres/day will be more than enough.
Example 2:
A poultry farm uses 12,000 litres/day. A single borehole with a 4,000-litre/day yield won’t cut it—you’ll need at least three boreholes, or a combination of borehole + water storage + pressure systems.
4. Other Factors That Influence Quantity
- Backup Supply: Some properties opt for a second borehole as a backup, especially in areas prone to dry spells.
- Redundancy: For critical systems (like hospitals, processing plants), redundancy is not just smart—it’s essential.
- Zoning and Access: In large or uneven properties, you may need multiple boreholes in different zones to ensure consistent pressure and coverage.
5. Don’t Forget Storage & Filtration
You might not need multiple boreholes if you pair one strong borehole with:
- JoJo tanks or steel tanks
- Pressure pumps
- Automatic controllers
- Filtration and purification systems
LiquaFlo can help you design an off-grid water system that maximizes one borehole—or plans additional ones the smart way.
What LiquaFlo Recommends
📍 For residential homes:
1 borehole is often enough—but we always assess pressure needs, peak usage, and reserve capacity.
📍 For commercial sites:
We recommend a site assessment to determine actual usage trends. Sometimes one deep borehole + smart pumps does the trick.
📍 For agricultural clients:
This is where the math matters most. Our team can conduct a geo-survey and yield projection before you commit to any drilling.
Final Thoughts
Drilling more boreholes than you need wastes money. But underestimating your needs can leave you with dry taps or crop loss. The key is knowing your demand, understanding your property’s geology, and designing a water system that fits—not just now, but into the future.
LiquaFlo Borehole Solutions can help you get the numbers right the first time. With geo-surveys, yield analysis, and tailor-made pump and filtration systems, we’ll make sure your water solution works—now and long term.