By Raeli Hydro
A commercial borehole needs more than a good water source. It needs the right water tank, borehole pump, pipework, controls and storage system to provide reliable water throughout the day. Choosing equipment based only on borehole depth or the number of users can lead to low pressure, pump failure, high electricity bills and water shortages.
The best approach is to design the system around the borehole yield, daily water demand, pumping head and required storage capacity. Raeli Hydro provides borehole drilling, pump installation and water-supply solutions designed for commercial properties across Kenya.
Why Tank and Pump Selection Matters
A commercial property may use large amounts of water every day. Hotels, schools, hospitals, apartments, factories, offices, farms and shopping centres can all have different water-demand patterns.
A pump that is too small may not fill the storage tank quickly enough. An oversized pump can consume unnecessary electricity and may pump the borehole faster than its sustainable yield.
Current Kenyan groundwater regulations require boreholes intended for motorised pumping to undergo test pumping. The 2025 Water (Resources) Regulations specify a continuous constant-rate pumping test of at least 24 hours, followed by a recovery period of at least 20 hours. This information helps establish the borehole’s performance before pump selection.
Recommended Borehole Pump for Commercial Use
For most commercial boreholes, a submersible borehole pump is a suitable option. The pump is installed inside the borehole and pushes water to the surface and into a storage tank.
However, there is no single pump size that works for every commercial borehole.
The correct pump should be selected according to:
- Borehole yield
- Pumping water level
- Borehole depth
- Required flow rate
- Total dynamic head
- Pipe diameter and length
- Tank height
- Required delivery pressure
- Power supply
- Daily water consumption
Raeli Hydro explains that pump selection should consider borehole depth, water yield, pipe layout and required flow rate. Proper sizing helps avoid inefficient operation and premature pump failure.
How Much Pump Capacity Does a Commercial Borehole Need?
The required pump capacity depends on the property’s demand.
For example, a small commercial building may require a relatively modest flow rate, while a large hotel, factory or apartment complex may require several cubic metres of water per hour.
A commercial borehole should not automatically be fitted with the biggest available pump. The sustainable borehole yield is a major limiting factor.
If a pump removes water faster than the borehole can recharge, the water level may fall significantly. This can cause the pump to run dry or operate under unsuitable conditions.
Pump selection should therefore begin with borehole test-pumping data, rather than simply choosing a pump based on the desired daily water volume.
Understanding Total Dynamic Head
Another important factor is Total Dynamic Head (TDH).
TDH represents the total work the pump must do to move water from the borehole to its point of delivery. It includes the lift from the pumping water level, pipe friction, fittings and the pressure required at the destination.
For example, a commercial property with a tank located on a tall water tower may require more pumping head than one with a ground-level storage tank.
The pump must therefore be capable of delivering the required flow at the actual operating head.
Technical pump-selection guidance also recommends using the borehole field data and calculating factors such as flow rate and total dynamic head before selecting a pump.
Recommended Water Tank Size
The water storage tank should provide enough water to handle normal consumption and short periods when the pump is not operating.
There is no universal commercial tank size. A small office may need much less storage than a school, hospital, hotel or apartment complex.
A proper design should consider:
- Average daily consumption
- Peak water demand
- Borehole production rate
- Pump operating hours
- Power reliability
- Available backup water
- Fire-fighting requirements, where applicable
- Future expansion
For many commercial properties, storage can be designed to provide a buffer between borehole production and water consumption.
For example, if a property uses water throughout the day while the borehole pump operates during selected periods, a storage tank allows water to accumulate and remain available during periods of high demand.
Ground-Level or Elevated Water Tank?
Commercial borehole systems can use ground-level tanks, elevated tanks or a combination of both.
Ground-Level Storage Tanks
A ground-level tank can hold large volumes of water and is often easier to install and maintain.
Water can then be transferred to the building using a booster pump system.
This arrangement can work well for hotels, factories, apartment complexes and large commercial compounds.
Elevated Water Tanks
An elevated tank uses gravity to provide water pressure to downstream points.
The higher the tank is positioned, the greater the potential gravity pressure. However, the tank structure must be properly designed to safely support the weight of the stored water.
A tank holding 10,000 litres contains approximately 10 tonnes of water, before the weight of the tank and supporting structure is considered.
For this reason, elevated tanks require proper structural planning.
Consider a Two-Stage Pumping System
For some commercial properties, Raeli Hydro may recommend a two-stage pumping arrangement.
The first pump transfers water from the borehole into a storage tank. A second booster pump then distributes water from the storage tank to buildings or other points of use.
This can provide better control of water pressure.
It can also allow the borehole pump to operate according to the borehole’s production capacity while the booster system responds to changing building demand.
This arrangement is particularly useful for multi-storey buildings, hotels, apartments, hospitals and commercial compounds where pressure requirements vary.
Choose the Right Pump Controls
A commercial borehole should have appropriate electrical and control equipment.
Important components may include:
- Control panel
- Motor starter
- Overload protection
- Voltage protection
- Low-water protection
- Tank level controls
- Pressure gauges
- Non-return valves
- Isolation valves
- Flow meter
- Appropriate pump cables
Kenyan public-sector borehole specifications also commonly include control panels, low-level cut-outs, pressure gauges, non-return valves and water metering as part of borehole pump installations.
These components help protect the pump and make it easier to monitor the system.
Variable-Speed Pumps for Commercial Buildings
A variable-speed drive (VSD) can be useful where water demand changes significantly during the day.
Instead of a pump operating continuously at one speed, the system can adjust motor speed according to demand.
This can help maintain more consistent pressure and may reduce energy consumption in suitable applications.
VSD systems are especially worth considering for large apartments, hotels, offices, hospitals and industrial facilities with changing water requirements.
The system must still be correctly designed. A variable-speed controller cannot compensate for an incorrectly sized pump or an inadequate borehole yield.
Solar Pumping as an Alternative
Commercial properties in areas with unreliable grid electricity can also consider a solar-powered borehole pump.
Solar pumping can be useful for farms, schools, lodges and other facilities where daytime water production is practical.
Raeli Hydro provides solar pumping systems that can include solar panels, controllers, submersible pumps and storage tanks.
One major advantage of solar pumping is that water can be pumped into storage during daylight and used later. This makes the water tank an important part of the overall solar water system.
Recommended Commercial Borehole System
A typical commercial installation may include:
| Component | Recommended Purpose |
|---|---|
| Borehole submersible pump | Extracts groundwater |
| Storage tank | Stores water for daily use |
| Booster pump | Maintains building pressure |
| Control panel | Controls and protects the pump |
| Flow meter | Monitors water production |
| Water level controls | Prevents unsuitable pump operation |
| Pressure gauge | Monitors system pressure |
| Non-return valve | Prevents reverse flow |
| Rising main | Carries water from borehole |
| Distribution pipes | Delivers water around the property |
The exact specifications should be established after assessing the borehole and the commercial property’s water requirements.
Professional Installation Is Important
A commercial borehole is a long-term infrastructure investment. Poor equipment selection or installation can create expensive problems.
The pump should be selected from its performance curve and matched to the required duty point. Pipework should also be sized correctly to control friction losses.
Raeli Hydro provides pump installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance services. Its pump service process includes site assessment, pump sizing, electrical and plumbing installation, testing and commissioning.
The company also handles borehole submersible pumps, solar pumps and pressure booster pumps for different applications.
Maintenance of Commercial Borehole Pumps and Tanks
Regular maintenance helps protect the investment.
Commercial operators should periodically inspect the pump, electrical controls, tank, valves, pipes and water-quality condition.
Pump performance should also be monitored. Changes in flow rate, pressure, power consumption or water quality can indicate a developing problem.
The storage tank should be inspected and cleaned according to the needs of the water system. Leaks, damaged fittings, blocked pipes and faulty level controls should be addressed promptly.
Get a Proper Commercial Borehole Assessment
The best water tank and pump recommendations for a commercial borehole depend on actual site conditions.
Raeli Hydro recommends assessing the borehole yield, water levels, required flow, pumping head, pipework and intended use before final equipment selection.
A properly designed system can provide reliable water supply, better pump performance, improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
For commercial borehole projects, avoid selecting a pump or tank based only on price or borehole depth. The right solution should be engineered around the water source and the property’s actual demand.
Raeli Hydro provides borehole drilling, pump installation, water storage and related water-supply solutions across Kenya. Its services cover commercial properties, institutions, farms, residential developments and other sites requiring dependable groundwater systems.