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Borewell - Common Problems & Solutions Guide

The document discusses common problems with water bores including reduced supply, dirty water, and pumping sand. Problems can be caused by the state of the water resource, the physical condition of the bore, or the pumping equipment. The state of the resource may cause lower water levels and decreased supply if drought conditions or excessive pumping exist. Physical problems with the bore like corrosion, blocked screens, or clay buildup can reduce water entry. Worn or blocked pumps can also cause issues. To diagnose problems, the document recommends checking the water level, bore conditions, and pumps and provides potential solutions like rehabilitation, new bores, or modified pumping.

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487 views

Borewell - Common Problems & Solutions Guide

The document discusses common problems with water bores including reduced supply, dirty water, and pumping sand. Problems can be caused by the state of the water resource, the physical condition of the bore, or the pumping equipment. The state of the resource may cause lower water levels and decreased supply if drought conditions or excessive pumping exist. Physical problems with the bore like corrosion, blocked screens, or clay buildup can reduce water entry. Worn or blocked pumps can also cause issues. To diagnose problems, the document recommends checking the water level, bore conditions, and pumps and provides potential solutions like rehabilitation, new bores, or modified pumping.

Uploaded by

akheelfz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Borewell Common Problems & Solutions

Problems often encountered with water bores include reduced supply, dirty water, pumping of sand and deteriorating
water quality. While many of the problems encountered with water bores are often associated with some mechanical
defect, this is not always the case.
Before work is carried out on a bore, you should first try to identify the cause of the problem. Significant time and money
can be wasted on rehabilitation works which do not target the cause of the problem.
Broadly, problems encountered with bores fall into the following three categories:

state of the resource

physical condition of the bore

condition of pumping equipment.


State of the resource
If drought conditions exist or demands on the aquifer system are excessive, then a fall in water level may occur. This is
likely to result in a decrease in bore yield. A direct measure of an aquifer's performance is the position of the standing
water levelif it is lower than normal, there is less water to pump and the supply will decrease. Where there are a large
number of bores tapping an aquifer or there are nearby bores being pumped, a reduction in individual bore yields may
result. Generally, if the supply has diminished but the standing water level is normal, the fault lies with the bore or pump.
Physical condition of bore
Many problems arise when the condition of a bore deteriorates.
Water entry into the bore can be reduced or stopped when:

corrosion of the bore casing or screens (or casing slots) allows sediment to enter the bore.

screens (or slots) are blocked by chemical deposits or bacterial slime

fine material enters the bore due to poor design of screen or slot size

clayey particles build-up adjacent to screens or slots.


Corroded casing will also allow poor quality water from an untapped, higher aquifer to enter the bore.
Condition of pumping equipment
You should also look at the condition of the pump if water supply problems occur. As a first step check that the pump,
motor and delivery systems are operational. Pump impellers wear, inlets become blocked and holes form in pump
casings. Any of these can lead to reduced or complete loss of supply.
For new bores, ensure that the capacity of the pump is not greater than the yield of the bore.
Solutions
Table 1 lists a number of problems, possible causes, tests, and solutions for overcoming some of the problems often
encountered with water bores. This should help to determine the most likely cause of your problem, but you should
always seek further advice if you have any doubts.

# 2A, Alamelu Nagar,Kamaraj Road, Coimbatore 641 015


Email: [email protected] | Website:www.greencurrent.in

Borewell Common Problems & Solutions


Problem

Possible cause

Test

Solution

Supply failed completely

Pump malfunction

Check power and pump


operation
Measure standing water
level

Repair or replace pump

Bore dewatered

Measure standing water


level

Relocate bore or drill to a


deeper aquifer

Bore collapsed

Measure bore depth

Replace bore

Formation collapsed

Measure standing water


level

Replace bore or clean out


and re-case

Water level low

Measure standing water


level

Reduce pumping rate and/or


deepen bore

Water entry to bore restricted

Measure water level and


check discharge for deposits

Redevelop bore and/or treat


with chemicals

Pump malfunction

Check pump

Repair pump

Bore silted up

Measure bore depth

Clean out and redevelop


bore

Interference with
neighbouring bores

Observe effect on standing


water level of neighbouring
bores pumping

Reduce pumping rate

Iron/manganese bacteria

Check discharge for slimy


deposits and/or water
analysis

Disinfect bore/treat with


chemicals

Clay or silt particles entering


bore
Water source polluted e.g.
leak from nearby septic tank

Check discharge for deposits

Redevelop bore

Water analysis

Relocate bore, and/or seal


surface casing and/or
remove source of pollution

Hole in casing or screen

Measure bore depth and


check discharged water
Measure bore depth and
check discharged water

Replace casing or bore

Water bed collapsed

Check discharged water

Replace bore

Pumping sand through


incorrect screen / slot size

Check discharged water and


measure bore depth

Redevelop bore and replace


screen/slots

Water entry to bore blocked

Supply reduced

Discoloured/bad smelling water

Pumping sand

Incorrect screen or slot size

Subsidence at surface

Redevelop bore and/or treat


with chemicals

Redevelop bore and replace


screen/slots

# 2A, Alamelu Nagar,Kamaraj Road, Coimbatore 641 015


Email: [email protected] | Website:www.greencurrent.in

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