Common Problems, troubleshooting and solutions in borewell

Some of the problems encountered with borewells include reduced supply, dirty water, sand pumping, and deteriorating water quality. It is often the case that borewell problems are due to some mechanical defect, but this is not always the case.

You should first identify the cause of the borewell problem before you perform any work on it. Rehabilitation works that don’t target the cause of the problem can waste a great deal of time and money.

Borewell problems can roughly be divided into three categories:

1. The condition of the resources
   
   A fall in water level may occur if drought conditions exist or excessive demands are placed on the aquifer system. As a result, bore yields are likely to decrease.
   
   The standing water level is a good indicator of an aquifer’s performance. When it is lower than normal, there is less water to pump, resulting in a decrease in supply.
   
   A reduction in individual bore yields can occur when there are a large number of bores tapping an aquifer or where nearby bores are being pumped.
   
   Standing water level may be normal, but the water supply may have diminished, indicating a problem with the pump or bore.
   
   
2. Borewell’s physical condition
   
   Deteriorating borewells can cause a variety of problems.
   
   The borewell’s water flow can be reduced or stopped in case of:
   
   (A) When the casing or the screens corrode which allows the entering and accumulation of sediments
   (B) Deposits of clay build up adjacent to screens or slots
   (C) Chemical deposits or bacterial slime can clog screens or slots
   (D) A poorly designed screen or slot causes fine material to enter the borewell
   
   Furthermore, corroded casing can allow poorly filtered water from a higher, untapped aquifer into the borewell.
   
   
3. The condition of a borewell’s pumping equipment
   
   When water supply problems occur, the pump should also be checked. You should start by making sure the pump, motor, and delivery system are working.
   
   The impellers of pumps wear down, the inlets become blocked, and the pump casings develop holes. These factors can lead to reduced or no supply of water.
   
   Ensure that the pump capacity of a new borewell does not exceed the yield of the bore.
   

The table below outlines possible causes, troubleshooting steps, and solutions for overcoming some of the problems encountered with borewells.

One should be able to determine the most likely cause of the borewell problem. However, it is always advisable to seek professional assistance before taking any drastic corrective measures.

Issue	Causing factors	Troubleshooting Steps	Possible Solution
Complete failure of water supply	A pump malfunctioned	Examine power and check the working of pump	Replace or repair the pump
	Water entry to borewell blocked	Measure standing water level	Bores should be redeveloped or treated with chemicals
	Dewatered borewell	Measure standing water level	Drill or relocate boreholes to deeper aquifers
	Collapsed borewell	Measure borewell's bore depth	Replace bore
	Collapsed Formation	Measure standing water level	Replacing the bore or cleaning and recasing
	Low water Level	Measure standing water level	Pumping rate should be reduced or the bore should be deepened
	Restricted entry of water to borewewll	Examine the discharge for deposits and measure the water level	Bores should be redeveloped or treated with chemicals
Reduced water supply	A pump malfunctioned	Examine pump	Replace or repair the pump
	Silted up borewell	Measure the bore depth	Redevelop and clean up the borehole
	Interference of neighbouring borewells	Monitoring the effect of pumping of neighbouring bores on standing water levels	Reduce pumping rate
	Iron/manganese bacteria	Look for slimy deposits in the discharge and/or analyze the water	Bores should be disinfected/treated with chemicals
Water that is discolored or smells bad	Particles of clay or silt entering the borewell	Discharges should be checked for deposits	Redevelop the bore
	Polluted water source, such as leaks from nearby septic tanks	Do water analysis	Replacing the bore, sealing the surface casing, and removing the pollution source
Borewell Pumping sand	Holes in casings or screens	Examine the discharged water and the bore depth	Replace the casing or bore
	Incorrectly sized screens or slots	Examine the discharged water and the bore depth	Redevelop the bore and replace the screens/slots
Subsidence at the surface	Collapsed water bed	Examine discharged water	Replace the bore
	Sand pumping through incorrectly sized screens or slots	Examine the discharged water and the bore depth	Redevelop the bore and replace the screen/slots