By Raeli Hydro
A residential borehole can provide a reliable source of water for drinking, cleaning, bathing, gardening, laundry and other household needs. However, drilling the borehole is only the beginning. You also need the right water tank, borehole pump, piping, controls and pressure system to make the water supply useful and dependable.
Choosing the wrong pump can cause low water pressure, excessive electricity consumption, frequent breakdowns and damage to the borehole. An undersized storage tank can also leave a household without enough water during power interruptions or periods of high demand.
At Raeli Hydro, borehole systems are designed according to the available groundwater yield, household demand, borehole depth and water distribution requirements. The company provides borehole drilling, pump installation, water tanks, water towers and related water-supply services.
Why Water Storage Is Important for a Residential Borehole
A residential borehole water tank acts as a buffer between the borehole pump and the household.
Instead of running the borehole pump every time someone opens a tap, water can first be pumped into a storage tank. The stored water is then distributed around the house through gravity or a booster pump.
This arrangement offers several advantages:
- Reliable water availability
- Reduced pump start-and-stop cycles
- Water available during short power interruptions
- Better management of peak household demand
- Reduced pressure on the borehole pump
- Easier integration with rainwater or municipal water systems
A good residential system should therefore consider both water production and water storage capacity.
Recommended Water Tank Sizes for Homes
The correct tank size depends on the number of residents, daily water consumption, garden requirements and other uses.
A small household with limited water demand may work well with a 3,000-litre tank. A larger family may need 5,000 litres or more.
A general planning guide is shown below:
| Household | Suggested Tank Capacity |
|---|---|
| 1–3 people | 2,000–3,000 litres |
| 3–5 people | 3,000–5,000 litres |
| 5–8 people | 5,000–10,000 litres |
| Large home | 10,000–20,000+ litres |
These are planning ranges rather than fixed rules. A professional assessment should consider the home’s actual consumption and borehole yield.
For example, a home with five residents may require a 5,000-litre tank, while a large residence with extensive landscaping, multiple bathrooms and domestic staff may need significantly more storage.
Raeli Hydro provides water tank installation as part of its wider borehole water-supply solutions.
Should You Choose a Plastic or Concrete Water Tank?
For most residential borehole installations, high-quality polyethylene plastic tanks are a practical option.
They are lightweight, relatively easy to install and available in different capacities. They are also suitable for installation on a properly designed tower or support structure.
Concrete tanks can be useful where very large storage capacity is required or where the tank is integrated into a building or underground structure. However, they require more construction work.
The choice should consider:
- Tank capacity
- Available installation space
- Structural support
- Water quality
- Budget
- Ease of maintenance
- Expected service life
The tank should also have a secure cover to help prevent contamination from dust, insects, leaves and other materials.
Choosing the Right Borehole Pump
The borehole pump is one of the most important components of the system.
For most residential boreholes, a submersible pump is a suitable choice, particularly where the water level is deep. Submersible pumps operate inside the borehole and push water toward the surface.
Raeli Hydro lists submersible, solar submersible, jet and multistage pumps among the pump types used for different applications. Pump selection depends on factors such as depth, yield and required pressure.
The pump should never be selected based only on horsepower.
A 1.5 HP pump, for example, is not automatically better than a 1 HP pump. What matters is whether the pump can deliver the required flow at the required total dynamic head without exceeding the sustainable borehole yield.
Match the Pump to Borehole Yield
Every borehole has a particular sustainable yield.
The yield indicates how much water the borehole can produce without excessive drawdown. Pumping water faster than the borehole can sustainably provide may cause problems.
For this reason, a pump test should be performed before final pump selection.
Pump testing helps determine the borehole’s performance and water-level behaviour. Current technical guidance on borehole pump selection also emphasizes sizing the pump to the well’s sustainable yield, rather than simply selecting equipment based on household demand.
Raeli Hydro similarly recommends pump testing and yield analysis as part of borehole development.
Consider Total Dynamic Head
Another important factor is total dynamic head (TDH).
TDH represents the total resistance the pump must overcome to deliver water to its destination. It includes the vertical lift from the water level, pressure requirements and losses through pipes, bends, valves and other fittings.
A pump may have a high flow rating at low head but deliver much less water when required to lift water from a deep borehole to an elevated tank.
Professional pump sizing should therefore consider:
Borehole depth + dynamic water level + elevation + pipe losses + required pressure.
This is one reason why buying a pump without a technical assessment can lead to poor performance.
Recommended Pump Types for Residential Boreholes
1. Submersible Electric Pump
This is one of the most common choices for residential boreholes.
It is installed below ground level and pushes water upward. It is suitable for deep boreholes and can supply water to elevated tanks.
2. Solar Submersible Pump
A solar borehole pump can be useful where grid electricity is unreliable or unavailable.
Solar systems can pump water during daylight and store it in a tank for later use. This can reduce dependence on electricity or fuel.
Raeli Hydro provides solar pumping solutions that integrate pumps, controllers and storage systems.
3. Booster Pump
A booster pump can be added after the storage tank where the house requires higher water pressure.
This can be particularly useful for multi-storey homes, showers, washing machines and irrigation systems.
The borehole pump and booster pump perform different jobs. The borehole pump moves water from the underground source to storage, while the booster pump can improve pressure within the household distribution system.
Use an Elevated Tank for Gravity Pressure
An elevated water tank can provide water pressure through gravity.
The higher the tank is positioned relative to the taps, the greater the potential gravitational pressure. However, tank height alone may not provide enough pressure for modern showers or high-demand appliances.
A pressure booster system can therefore be used where stronger and more consistent pressure is required.
Raeli Hydro provides water tower construction and tank installation services for borehole systems.
Include Pump Protection
A residential borehole system should have appropriate pump protection equipment.
Recommended components can include:
- Control panel
- Overload protection
- Dry-run protection
- Surge protection
- Level controls
- Pressure controls
- Properly sized electrical cables
- Isolation valves
Dry-run protection is particularly important. If the water level falls below the pump intake and the pump continues operating, the motor may overheat or suffer damage.
Professional installation helps ensure the pump, electrical system and plumbing work together correctly. Raeli Hydro notes that incorrect pump sizing or poor installation can lead to overheating, high energy consumption and premature pump failure.
Suggested Residential Borehole Setup
For an average family home, a practical configuration could include:
Borehole → Submersible Pump → Rising Main → Storage Tank → Booster Pump → House Distribution
For example, a residential property might use a 5,000-litre storage tank, a properly sized submersible pump and a booster pump where higher pressure is required.
However, the exact pump capacity should be determined after checking the borehole’s depth, yield, dynamic water level and household demand.
Maintain Your Borehole System
Even a high-quality installation needs regular maintenance.
The pump should be inspected periodically. Electrical connections, valves, pipes, tanks and control equipment should also be checked.
The tank should be cleaned at appropriate intervals to maintain good water hygiene. Water quality testing is also recommended, particularly when borehole water is used for drinking and cooking.
Raeli Hydro offers water testing, pump maintenance, borehole rehabilitation and related services as part of its water solutions.
Why Choose Raeli Hydro?
Raeli Hydro provides complete borehole solutions, from hydrogeological surveys and drilling to pump installation, water storage and maintenance.
The company works with different pump technologies and supplies systems for homes, schools, farms, businesses and institutions. Its services include submersible pump installation, solar pumping systems, water tanks, water towers, pump testing and water quality services.
For a residential property, the best approach is to design the complete system rather than buying individual components separately.
A properly matched borehole pump and water tank can provide dependable water, reduce unnecessary energy use and protect your investment.
Contact Raeli Hydro for Residential Borehole Solutions
If you are planning a new borehole or upgrading an existing residential water system, Raeli Hydro can assess your borehole and recommend suitable equipment.
The company can help with borehole pump selection, water tank installation, pressure systems, solar pumping, water testing and maintenance.
Phone: 0700 666 888
Email: info@raelihydro.com
Website: Raeli Hydro
A good residential borehole is not simply a drilled hole with a pump. It is a complete water system. By matching the tank capacity, pump performance, borehole yield and household demand, homeowners can achieve a more reliable and efficient water supply for many years.