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Obtaining a Water Resources Authority (WRA) license is a legal requirement for abstracting groundwater from boreholes in Kenya. Without a WRMA licence, drilling or pumping from a bore can lead to fines, enforcement action, or even closure of the water point. Raeli Hydro guides clients through the WRMA process so that licensing is smooth, compliant, and integrated into the design and drilling plan.

What WRMA licensing actually covers

WRMA (Water Resources Authority) regulates all water‑use permits and borehole‑drilling authorisations under the Water Act, 2016. For boreholes, the three main stages are:

• Drilling authorization (permission to drill a new borehole).

• Borehole completion and registration (submitting drilling logs and water‑quality data).

• Water‑use (abstraction) licence (legal right to pump and use the water, usually for 5 years and renewable).

WRA also issues or oversees drilling licences for contractors, but property owners mainly need the water‑use permit and borehole‑drilling authorization.

Step‑by‑step WRMA process

Step 1: Verify land ownership and purpose

Before you apply, you must confirm that you either own the land or hold a written consent from the owner (e.g., developer, landlord, or institution). You also specify the water‑use category (domestic, livestock, irrigation, commercial, or industrial), as WRMA uses this to set fees and conditions.

Step 2: Hydrogeological survey

WRMA now requires a hydrogeological survey by a licensed practitioner before accepting an application. The survey report typically includes:

• Groundwater‑availability assessment.

• Recommended drilling location and depth.

• Estimated yield and quality.

This report is one of the key documents you attach to Form A (Application for Water Use Authorization) or WRA‑001 if you use the online system.

Step 3: Apply for WRMA drilling authorization

From 2024, WRMA encourages paperless applications through eCitizen and the WRA portal, though you can still submit physically at sub‑basin offices. You will need:

• Completed WRA application form (Form A or WRA‑001).

• Copy of national ID or company registration / PIN.

• Land title deed or lease/consent.

• Hydrogeological survey report.

• Site sketch or coordinates of the intended borehole.

• Payment of the application fee (around KSh 22,000 for drilling‑authorization applications, depending on use category).

WRMA reviews the file, checks catchment‑management plans, and may carry out a site inspection; the process typically takes 30–60 days, after which you receive a 6‑month drilling authorization letter.

Step 4: Drill with a licensed contractor

You must drill the bore within the authorised period and only with a contractor whose drilling licence is valid. During drilling, the contractor prepares a drilling completion report (depth, casing, yield, pump test, and log data) plus a water‑quality test report from a certified lab.

Step 5: Borehole registration and abstraction licence

After drilling, the completion and water‑quality reports are submitted to WRMA for:

• Borehole registration (a one‑time or periodic entry in the WRMA database).

• Water‑use (abstraction) licence issued after payment of the relevant annual abstraction fee, which varies by use category (typically KSh 3,000–25,000 per year).

Once the licence is issued, you can legally pump and use the borehole for the stated purpose and duration.

Why professional support matters

Many landowners underestimate the time and technical detail WRMA demands. Raeli Hydro helps by:

• Arranging hydrogeological surveys tailored to WRMA‑submission standards.

• Preparing and submitting applications, including site plans and coordinates.

• Coordinating inspections and follow‑up so that applications do not drag beyond 30–60 days.

By following the WRMA process correctly, you avoid illegal abstraction and secure a clear, long‑term legal right to your borehole water, which is especially important for commercial, irrigation, or large‑scale residential projects.

Borehole drilling can be one of the most rewarding investments a home, farm, or estate ever makes—provided it is done correctly. A successful borehole does not just give you water; it gives you a reliable, long‑term source that reduces bills, boosts food security, and increases property value. However, drilling without proper planning, surveys, and professional oversight often leads to dry bores, recurrent failures, or bores that yield only a trickle. The difference between a failed borehole and a high‑yielding one usually comes down to preparation, technical choice, and who you hire.

1. Start with a hydro‑geophysical survey

Before the rig even touches the ground, invest in a resistivity or VES (Vertical Electrical Sounding) survey. These geophysical methods map the underground layers, estimate water depth, and identify whether the planned bore site is located over a viable aquifer. In areas like Turkana, Machakos, and other arid or semi‑arid zones, skipping a survey often means drilling “blind,” which can push failure rates up to 60–70%. Raeli Hydro consistently uses resistivity to pinpoint the best bore‑hole location, which dramatically increases the odds of hitting a high‑yielding zone on the first attempt.

2. Choose an experienced drilling contractor

Not all borehole contractors are equal. Experience in your specific region—and proven track record with medium‑ to deep‑bore drilling—matter far more than a lower headline price. A reputable contractor like Raeli Hydro brings:

• Proper rigs calibrated for your ground conditions.

• Knowledge of local aquifers, seasonal water‑level changes, and common pitfalls.

• Transparency in quotations and breakdowns of drilling, casing, and pump costs.

Always ask for references, site‑visit photos, and certificates or approvals from the respective water authority where applicable.

3. Get a clear, itemised quote

Avoid “lump‑sum only” quotes that hide where your money goes. A well‑structured quote from Raeli Hydro includes:

• Mobilisation and rig‑transport fees.

• Drilling rate per metre and estimated depth.

• Casing type and length (steel or PVC) with cost per metre.

• Concrete‑seal, gravel pack, development, and test‑pumping cost.

• Pumping, power (solar or diesel), and basic storage cost, if bundled.

This breakdown lets you compare fairly with other contractors and avoid surprise charges later.

4. Match casing material to your geology

The choice between PVC and steel casing should be dictated by subsurface conditions, not just price. In loose, collapsing sands or highly fractured zones, steel casing provides extra structural support. In stable, competent rock or compacted soils, high‑grade PVC is often sufficient and more economical. Raeli Hydro typically recommends:

• PVC casing for most residential and shallow‑to‑medium‑depth bores where cost and corrosion resistance are priorities.

• Steel casing (sometimes only for the upper, unstable section) in deep bores, saline zones, or where the formation is prone to collapse.

Picking the right casing up front saves money on repairs and re‑drilling later.

5. Plan for the right depth and yield

Borehole “depth” and “yield” should be based on local data, not guesswork. A bore that is too shallow may dry up in the dry season; a bore that is unnecessarily deep increases drilling and pumping costs without a proportional gain in yield. Raeli Hydro advises:

• Using resistivity data to estimate the minimum depth at which a stable aquifer is likely to be found.

• Setting realistic yield expectations (litres per minute) for your use—domestic, livestock, irrigation, or commercial—and then designing the borehole, screen, and pump around that.

This ensures your bore is both technically sound and economically viable.

6. Design and size the bore properly

Successful drilling is not just a matter of “hitting water”; it is about how that water is accessed and produced. A poorly designed bore can lead to sand invasion, clogging, or early pump failure. Raeli Hydro emphasises:

• Correct screen placement so that it sits fully within the water‑bearing zone.

• Adequate gravel pack around the screen to filter out fines and maintain yield.

• Proper development (surging, bailing, or air‑lifting) to remove drilling mud and loose particles from the formation.

These steps may add a small upfront cost, but they massively reduce the risk of frequent breakdowns.

7. Verify water quality before investing heavily

A bore can yield a lot of water and still be useless if the water quality is poor. Salinity, high levels of fluoride, iron, or other contaminants may require expensive treatment, especially for domestic use. Before installing large‑capacity pumps or distribution networks, Raeli Hydro recommends:

• Taking a representative water sample and testing it in a certified lab.

• Checking parameters such as TDS, pH, hardness, nitrates, and common contaminants.

• Designing your treatment or usage plan around the test results (e.g., assigning high‑salinity water to irrigation and low‑salinity water to domestic use).

This planning prevents costly over‑reliance on a bore whose water is unsuitable for some uses.

8. Invest in the right pumping and power system

Drilling is only half the job; the pump and power source determine how reliably you actually get the water to where you need it. Raeli Hydro commonly sees two major mistakes:

• Under‑pumping: A weak pump cannot deliver the required flow, so the bore’s yield is never realized.

• Over‑pumping: A pump that is too powerful can quickly draw down the aquifer, cause sand ingress, and shorten bore life.

A professional contractor will:

• Match pump capacity to your bore’s tested yield.

• Recommend power options (solar, grid, diesel, or hybrid) that balance reliability, cost, and maintenance.

For irrigation and commercial projects, solar‑pump systems are increasingly popular because they reduce long‑term operating costs.

9. Plan for maintenance and monitoring

Even a perfectly constructed borehole will fail prematurely without basic maintenance. Dirt, sand, biofouling, and pump wear can all reduce performance. Raeli Hydro recommends a simple maintenance schedule that includes:

• Regular inspection of the pump, motor, and control gear.

• Annual or bi‑annual cleaning and servicing of the borehead and pump assembly.

• Periodic water‑quality checks and yield tests to detect early problems.

Monitoring helps you catch issues such as gradual siltation or rising salinity before they force a full‑scale rehabilitation.

10. Work with a professional on rehabilitation if a bore fails

Not every borehole will be successful on the first try, but failure does not always mean the bore is permanently dead. Many “dry” or low‑yielding bores can be rehabbed with:

• Re‑developing the bore to remove sand or clogging.

• Adjusting the screen or re‑drilling to a deeper, more productive zone.

• Replacing or upgrading the pump and sealing system.

Raeli Hydro often works with clients who had bad experiences with earlier contractors; by re‑assessing the site with resistivity and re‑engineering the bore, many of these projects are turned into productive water points.

Borehole drilling is a scientific and engineering‑driven process, not a gamble. If you follow these ten tips—starting with a geophysical survey, hiring a reputable contractor, choosing the right casing and depth, and planning for maintenance—your chances of a successful, long‑lasting borehole increase dramatically. Raeli Hydro’s approach is built around these principles, combining modern tools with local experience to turn every drilling project into a reliable water solution.

Underground water tanks are a critical part of water storage infrastructure for homes, estates, commercial buildings, and institutions. Over time, sediment, biofilm, rust, and microbial growth can accumulate on the tank walls and at the bottom, compromising water quality and system performance. Regular water tank cleaning is essential to maintain hygiene, extend the tank’s lifespan, and prevent costly repairs or pipe clogging. Here’s how underground water tank cleaning is professionally carried out, with Raeli Hydro’s step‑by‑step approach.

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Why water tank cleaning matters

An underground water tank rarely sees direct sunlight and is usually hard to inspect visually, so contamination can build up unnoticed for months or even years. Silt, decomposed organic matter, and mineral deposits reduce the effective storage volume and create conditions where bacteria and algae thrive. This directly affects water taste, smell, and safety, especially in multi‑tenant or high‑use buildings. Scheduled water tank cleaning helps avoid these issues before they become visible or cause health complaints from occupants. Raeli Hydro treats water tank cleaning as a core preventive‑maintenance service, not just a reactive fix after water quality deteriorates.

Step 1: Safety and site preparation

Before any tank entry, Raeli Hydro starts with a full safety and risk assessment. Access to underground tanks often involves confined‑space risks, so the team follows standard operating procedures for ventilation, gas testing, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The surrounding area is cordoned off, and power isolation procedures are applied where necessary to prevent accidental pump activation. Once the safety checks are complete, technicians open the manhole cover and set up extraction tools, hoses, and vacuum equipment around the hatch. This preparation phase ensures that water tank cleaning is conducted safely while minimizing disruption to the building or water supply.

Step 2: Emptying the tank and removing loose sludge

The next step in underground water tank cleaning is to drain the stored water and remove as much of the loose sludge as possible. Raeli Hydro uses submersible or peristaltic pumps to discharge water in a controlled way, often directing it through a filtration or settling system so that heavily silt‑laden discharge does not clog the site’s drainage. After the bulk water is removed, specialised vacuum trucks or high‑pressure suction units are used to extract the sludge and floating debris from the tank floor. This step recovers a large portion of the contaminants without the need for immediate manual scrubbing and prepares the surface for a more thorough clean.

Step 3: Manual scrubbing and wall inspection

Once the loose sludge is removed, technicians descend carefully into the tank to perform manual scrubbing of the walls, floor, and internal fittings. Using non‑abrasive brushes and scrapers, they remove algae, biofilm, rust patches, and stubborn deposits that pumps cannot dislodge. During this water tank cleaning phase, Raeli Hydro also inspects the tank structure for cracks, leaks, corrosion, or worn joints that could lead to future contamination. Silicone‑based sealants or epoxy repairs can be applied at this stage if minor defects are found, ensuring the tank remains watertight once refilled.

Step 4: High‑pressure cleaning and disinfection

After mechanical scrubbing, Raeli Hydro employs high‑pressure cleaning techniques to rinse away loosened debris and ensure the tank surface is smooth and hygienic. Clean water (often drawn from an external source) is directed through high‑pressure jets that can reach every corner, including the ceiling and around inlet/outlet pipes. This step is crucial because residual biofilm can quickly regrow if not fully removed. Once the tank is visibly clean, a disinfection phase follows, typically using food‑grade chlorine or approved biocidal solutions formulated for potable‑water systems. The disinfectant is circulated throughout the tank and allowed to dwell for a specified contact time to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This disinfection procedure is an integral part of professional water tank cleaning and ensures the water is safe for human use once the tank is refilled.

Step 5: Flushing, refilling, and testing

After the contact period, the disinfectant water is safely discharged, followed by one or more rinse cycles using clean water until the residual chlorine or chemical levels fall within safe limits. Only then does Raeli Hydro begin refilling the tank, taking care to use good‑quality source water and avoiding any back‑contamination from the supply line. Once the tank reaches its normal operating level, a small sample is collected for testing if required by the client. Tests can include residual chlorine, pH, turbidity, and microbiological checks, depending on the building’s use (residential, hospital, school, hotel, etc.). This quality‑control layer ensures that the water tank cleaning service delivers measurable improvements in water safety, not just visual cleanliness.

Step 6: Documentation and maintenance planning

Raeli Hydro treats every water tank cleaning job as part of a broader water‑quality management plan. After the tank is cleaned and refilled, a brief service report is prepared. This report typically includes the tank size, location, sludge volume removed, visible defects observed, any repairs performed, and the disinfectant used, along with recommendations for the next cleaning interval. For underground tanks that supply larger estates or institutions, Raeli Hydro often suggests a periodic water tank cleaning schedule—commonly every 6–12 months, depending on usage, inlet water quality, and local environmental conditions. This proactive approach reduces the risk of sudden water‑quality issues and keeps the system running efficiently.

How often should underground tanks be cleaned?

The ideal frequency for water tank cleaning depends on several factors, including tank size, whether the tank receives rainwater or borehole‑water, and how stable the source water quality is. In areas with high sediment load or where water is exposed to organic debris (for example, harvested rainwater), more frequent cleaning—quarterly or twice‑yearly—may be warranted. Conversely, well‑maintained underground tanks receiving pre‑treated borehole or municipal water may only need water tank cleaning every 12–18 months, provided there are no visible signs of contamination or reduced flow. Raeli Hydro evaluates each site individually and tailors the water tank cleaning interval to the client’s risk profile and usage pattern.

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Cleaning Companies in Nairobi

Why Raeli Hydro’s approach stands out

Raeli Hydro combines technical expertise, local experience, and safety‑conscious procedures to deliver consistent water tank cleaning results. The team uses calibrated equipment, safe‑use chemicals, and documented processes that align with public‑health and water‑safety standards. By integrating inspection, repair, and preventive‑maintenance advice into every underground water tank cleaning job, Raeli Hydro helps clients avoid not only dirty water but also costly leaks, pump failures, and emergency repairs. Whether you manage a private residence, an apartment complex, a hospital, or an industrial site, regular water tank cleaning by a professional service like Raeli Hydro is one of the most cost‑effective ways to protect your water quality and your building’s infrastructure.

Borehole success rates in Turkana County vary widely depending on how and where the bores are drilled, but available assessments suggest that without proper hydro‑geophysical surveys, roughly one‑third of bores fail (dry or low‑yield), while well‑planned projects can reach 70–90% success.

What “success rate” means in Turkana

In Turkana, a “successful” borehole is usually one that:

• Finds water at a usable yield.

• Is drilled in a stable aquifer that does not dry up quickly each dry season.

Reports from NGOs and water‑resource studies note that before systematic surveys and modern logging, as few as half of the thousands of boreholes drilled in Turkana were functional, because many were placed in unsuitable zones or in shallow, highly saline layers.

Reported success‑rate ranges

• Unplanned / haphazard drilling
  Surveys of groundwater‑development practice in Turkana state that about two in three boreholes drilled without proper geophysical information turn out dry or under‑performing, implying a success rate around 30–40% when no pre‑drilling survey is done.

• With geophysical surveys and professional siting
  Where organisations use resistivity or VES‑based targeting, success rates are much higher. For example, Oxfam and similar partners report 70–80% successful bores in their focused Turkana projects.
  Some experienced drilling contractors working in Turkana, such as Raeli Hydro, quote internal success rates of about 90–98% when they control the survey and siting, although this reflects their own high‑standard practice rather than a county‑wide average.

Why the rate is not uniformly high

Several factors keep the overall success rate lower across the whole county:

• Drilling without surveys: Many bores are still sunk by small contractors or communities relying on “experience” rather than resistivity/VES, which increases dry‑hole risk.

• Over‑abstraction in hotspots: In areas with heavy groundwater use (e.g., oil‑field‑related abstraction in Lokichar basin), water levels drop, so some previously productive bores decline or fail.

• Mechanical and maintenance failures: Even successful bores often become non‑functional later due to pump failures, poor casing, or lack of maintenance, which distorts the long‑term “success” picture.

Practical takeaway for planning

If you are planning a borehole in Turkana:

• Treat 30–40% as a realistic worst‑case success rate if you skip a geophysical survey.

• Aim for 70–90% by working with a contractor who uses resistivity/VES and who has a documented track record in Turkana.

In short, the average borehole success rate in Turkana is roughly 30–40% when drilling is done without proper surveys, but can rise to 70–90% or higher when professional hydro‑geophysical siting is applied.

Borehole drilling in Turkana County is typically more expensive than in many other parts of Kenya because of a combination of logistical, geological, and operational factors that push the per‑metre rate higher.

Long distance and poor access

One of the biggest reasons drilling costs more in Turkana is distance and rough terrain. Many sites are far from major towns, with poor or unpaved roads, so rigs, fuel, and materials must cover long distances over difficult ground. This dramatically increases:

• Mobilisation and transport fees to move heavy drilling rigs and casing.

• Fuel and standby time because rigs move slowly and may need to wait for road conditions or security approval.

Several drilling‑cost tables for Kenya list Turkana with a per‑metre drilling range of about KSh 8,000–9,500, higher than softer‑soil counties like Machakos or Kitui, where the rate is closer to KSh 6,500–7,000 per metre.

Hard and deep‑rock geology

Turkana’s subsurface often includes hard rock, fractured formations, and deep aquifers, which slow down drilling and wear out equipment faster. In these conditions:

• Rigs must work longer hours to reach water, increasing labour and fuel costs.

• Drilling rigs and drill bits experience more wear, so contractors factor in higher per‑metre rates to cover repairs and replacements.

When the water table is deep (often 100–200 m or more), the bore must be drilled, cased, and tested over a much greater length, pushing the total project bill well above projects in shallow‑aquifer regions.

Remote‑site operational overhead

Drilling in remote Turkana locations introduces extra “hidden” costs that are smaller in urban counties:

• Crew and equipment standby charges while waiting for approvals, visas for security‑sensitive areas, or favourable weather.

• Local security and permits, especially near borders or oil‑exploration zones, which can delay schedules and add to daily costs.

• Logistics for water, power, and camping for the drilling team, since basic services are limited.

Many contractors treat these as part of the per‑metre rate or mobilisation fee, rather than listing them separately, so the headline price per metre already reflects the remote‑site premium.

Market‑driven per‑metre rates in Turkana

Price‑guides for Kenyan boreholes consistently show that Turkana sits at the upper end of the drilling‑cost spectrum:

This means that for the same depth, a borehole in Turkana will usually cost more than an equivalent bore elsewhere, even before adding pumps, tanks, and solar‑power systems.

How to manage costs in Turkana

Even though the baseline is higher, several steps can control the cost:

• Order a geophysical survey (e.g., resistivity) before drilling to avoid going much deeper than necessary.

• Request a detailed breakdown from at least two Turkana‑experienced contractors, including mobilisation, drilling, casing, and standby‑day charges.

• Plan for a complete system (pump, power, tank) in one budget so that “drilling only” quotes don’t later balloon when other components are added.

In short, borehole drilling in Turkana becomes more expensive mainly because of long‑haul logistics, hard/difficult rock, deeper aquifers, and higher standby/remote‑site overheads, which together justify the KSh 8,000–9,500 per‑metre band seen in market‑price tables.