A well-maintained borehole can serve your family for 25+ years. This comprehensive 2024 checklist covers everything from monthly inspections to annual servicing—complete with costs, warning signs, and expert tips to maximize your water system's lifespan and prevent expensive breakdowns.
Why Borehole Maintenance Matters (Real Cost Comparison)
❌ Neglected Borehole (5 Years)
- Year 1: Water quality deteriorates
- Year 2: Pump efficiency drops 40%
- Year 3: Major pump failure (KSH 120,000 replacement)
- Year 4: Casing corrosion issues
- Year 5: Complete system overhaul (KSH 350,000)
Total 5-Year Cost: KSH 470,000+
✅ Well-Maintained Borehole (5 Years)
- Year 1-5: Consistent water quality
- Year 3: Preventive pump service (KSH 15,000)
- Year 5: Minor part replacements (KSH 25,000)
- Result: System runs smoothly for 25+ years
- No major failures!
Total 5-Year Cost: KSH 85,000
✅ The Bottom Line
Proper maintenance saves KSH 385,000 over 5 years! That's 82% cost reduction compared to reactive repairs. Even better—you avoid the stress of sudden water loss and emergency repairs.
Monthly Maintenance Checklist (15 Minutes/Month)
Every 4 Weeks: Quick Health Check
🔍 Visual Inspections
Look for cracks in concrete apron, gaps where insects/rodents could enter. No standing water should pool around the wellhead.
Red Flag: Cracked seal or water pooling → Call technician immediately (contamination risk!)
Check for leaks, algae growth, or debris accumulation. Ensure tank lid is securely closed (prevents mosquito breeding).
Warning: Algae inside tank → Schedule cleaning within 2 weeks
Look for rust spots, loose fittings, or dripping connections. Check pressure gauge (should read 2.5-4.0 bar for domestic systems).
Red Flag: Pressure below 2.0 bar → Possible pump issues or leak
Normal: Smooth humming when pump runs. Abnormal: Grinding, squealing, clicking, or excessive vibration.
Red Flag: Any unusual noise → Call Fancy Drops for pump inspection
Fill clear glass with tap water. Check for: cloudiness, unusual color, odor, or visible particles.
Warning: Any abnormality → Send sample for lab testing
Check control panel for loose wires, burnt smells, or tripped breakers. Ensure pump switch functions properly.
Red Flag: Burnt smell or frequently tripping breaker → Electrical fault (fire risk!)
💡 Pro Tip: Create a Maintenance Log
Use a simple notebook or phone app to record:
- Date of inspection
- Pressure gauge reading
- Any abnormalities observed
- Actions taken
Why? This log helps technicians diagnose issues faster and proves your maintenance history for warranty claims.
📊 Monthly Tasks - Time & Cost
- Time Required: 15 minutes (can be done while doing other chores)
- Cost: KSH 0 (you do it yourself!)
- Tools Needed: Flashlight, notebook, clear glass
- Best Time: Same day each month (set phone reminder)
Quarterly Maintenance Tasks (Every 3 Months)
Every 12 Weeks: Deep Dive Inspection
🧹 Cleaning & Servicing
Process:
- Turn off pump and drain tank completely
- Scrub interior walls with clean brush + disinfectant solution
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water (3x minimum)
- Refill and add water treatment tablets if needed
DIY Cost: KSH 500 (disinfectant + treatment tablets) | Professional Service: KSH 3,000
If you have sediment filters or carbon filters, inspect and clean/replace according to manufacturer guidelines.
Filter lifespan: Sediment (3-6 months), Carbon (6-12 months), UV bulbs (12 months)
Replacement Cost: Sediment filter KSH 1,500 | Carbon filter KSH 3,500 | UV bulb KSH 5,000
Apply appropriate lubricant to: gate valves, ball valves, pump motor bearings (if accessible), pressure switch hinges.
Cost: KSH 800 (lubricant spray + grease)
Over time, vibrations loosen connections. Inspect and tighten: pipe joints, electrical terminals, control panel screws, tank support brackets.
Tools needed: Adjustable wrench, screwdrivers set
Simple Performance Test:
- Time how long it takes to fill a 20L bucket from tap
- Compare to baseline (record this during initial setup!)
- If filling time increased by 30%+ → Pump efficiency declining
Warning: Significant performance drop → Schedule professional pump inspection
Look for: frayed wires, loose terminals, corrosion on connections, proper grounding. Test circuit breaker functionality.
Red Flag: Any electrical damage → Hire licensed electrician immediately
📊 Quarterly Tasks - Time & Cost
- Time Required: 2-3 hours (DIY) | 1 hour (professional service)
- DIY Cost: KSH 2,000-3,500 (materials only)
- Professional Service Cost: KSH 8,000-12,000 (Fancy Drops rate)
- Recommendation: DIY if confident, professional every other quarter
Annual Comprehensive Servicing (Once Per Year)
Every 12 Months: Professional Deep Service
This is the most critical maintenance activity. We STRONGLY recommend hiring professionals (like Fancy Drops) for annual servicing—it's too complex and risky for DIY.
🔧 Professional Technician Tasks
What we do:
- Pull pump from borehole (requires specialized winch equipment)
- Inspect impeller for wear, corrosion, or damage
- Check motor bearings and seals
- Test electrical continuity and insulation resistance
- Replace worn parts (seals, bearings, impeller if needed)
- Clean pump housing and intake screen
- Reinstall and test performance
Cost: KSH 15,000-25,000 (includes labor + minor parts)
Laboratory tests include:
- Bacterial contamination (E.coli, coliforms)
- Chemical analysis (pH, TDS, nitrates, fluoride, heavy metals)
- Physical properties (turbidity, color, taste, odor)
- Compliance with KEBS standards
Cost: KSH 5,000-8,000 (KEBS-certified lab)
Lowering a waterproof camera down the borehole to inspect:
- Casing integrity (cracks, corrosion, joint failures)
- Screen condition (blockages, biofilm buildup)
- Water level stability
- Sediment accumulation at bottom
Cost: KSH 12,000-18,000 (recommended every 5 years, not annually)
Test and recalibrate: pressure switch settings, water level sensors, automatic pump controllers, electrical protection systems.
Cost: KSH 3,000-5,000
Licensed electrician checks: grounding system, RCD (residual current device) functionality, wiring insulation, protection against lightning/power surges.
Critical for safety! Prevents electrocution and fire hazards.
Cost: KSH 4,000-6,000
For solar-powered pumps, inspect: panel efficiency, battery health, charge controller, inverter performance, cable connections.
Cost: KSH 5,000-8,000 (included in Fancy Drops solar maintenance packages)
✅ Fancy Drops Annual Service Package
Complete peace of mind for KSH 35,000/year
Our comprehensive annual package includes:
- ✅ Full pump inspection & servicing
- ✅ Water quality testing (lab-certified)
- ✅ Control system calibration
- ✅ Electrical safety audit
- ✅ Tank cleaning & disinfection
- ✅ Minor parts replacement (up to KSH 5,000 value)
- ✅ Detailed service report + recommendations
- ✅ Priority emergency response all year
Save KSH 12,000 vs. booking services individually!
📊 Annual Service - Cost Summary
| Service Item | Individual Cost (KSH) |
|---|---|
| Pump Inspection & Service | 15,000 - 25,000 |
| Water Quality Testing | 5,000 - 8,000 |
| Control System Calibration | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Electrical Safety Audit | 4,000 - 6,000 |
| Tank Cleaning | 3,000 - 4,000 |
| Minor Repairs/Parts | 3,000 - 7,000 |
| Total (Individual Services) | 33,000 - 55,000 |
| Fancy Drops Annual Package | 35,000 (All-Inclusive) |
Warning Signs That Demand Immediate Attention
🚨 EMERGENCY: Call Technician Within 24 Hours
- No Water Flow: Pump runs but no water comes out → Possible pump failure or pipe burst
- Muddy/Brown Water: Sudden water discoloration → Casing breach or aquifer contamination
- Burning Smell: From control panel or pump area → Electrical fault (fire risk!)
- Pump Won't Start: Despite electrical power being on → Motor failure or controller issue
- Constant Pump Cycling: Pump starts/stops every few seconds → Pressure tank failure or leak
- Sewage Smell in Water: Foul odor from taps → Contamination emergency!
- Significant Yield Drop: Water output reduced by 50%+ suddenly → Aquifer depletion or pump damage
📞 Fancy Drops Emergency Hotline: +254 713 332 124 (Available 24/7)
💡 Warning Signs of Gradual Issues (Schedule Service Within 2 Weeks)
- Water pressure slowly declining over months
- Increased electricity bills without usage change
- Pump takes longer to fill tank than before
- Occasional cloudy water (clears after running)
- Minor leaks at pipe joints
- Pump noise gradually getting louder
- Water has slight taste/odor (not normal for your water)
Maintenance Cost Summary: 5-Year Projection
| Maintenance Activity | Frequency | Annual Cost (KSH) | 5-Year Total (KSH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Inspections (DIY) | 12x/year | 0 | 0 |
| Quarterly Cleaning (DIY) | 4x/year | 3,000 | 15,000 |
| Annual Professional Service | 1x/year | 35,000 | 175,000 |
| Filter Replacements | As needed | 5,000 | 25,000 |
| Emergency Repairs (Average) | Occasional | 8,000 | 40,000 |
| Camera Inspection (Every 5 Years) | 1x per 5 years | 3,000 | 15,000 |
| Total 5-Year Maintenance Investment | 270,000 | ||
| Cost of Major Failure (No Maintenance) | 400,000+ | ||
| Savings with Proper Maintenance | 130,000+ | ||
DIY vs. Professional Maintenance: What You Can Handle
✅ Safe for DIY
- Monthly visual inspections
- Tank cleaning (if confident with heights/confined spaces)
- Basic water quality checks (visual test)
- Tightening loose bolts/fittings
- Replacing sediment filters (cartridge type)
- Cleaning wellhead area
- Lubricating accessible valves
❌ Requires Professional
- Pump removal/installation
- Electrical work (wiring, controllers)
- Borehole camera inspection
- Pump motor repairs
- Pressure system calibration
- Casing repairs/rehabilitation
- Water treatment system servicing
- Solar system electrical work
⚠️ When DIY Goes Wrong (Real Client Stories)
Case 1: Client tried removing pump himself → Dropped pump down borehole → KSH 180,000 retrieval + new pump
Case 2: Homeowner attempted electrical repair → Pump motor burned out → KSH 95,000 replacement
Case 3: DIY tank cleaning with wrong chemicals → Corroded pipes → KSH 120,000 plumbing overhaul
Lesson: Know your limits! Professional service costs far less than fixing DIY disasters.
🔧 Book Your Annual Service Now (Limited Slots!)
Protect your investment with Fancy Drops' comprehensive annual maintenance. We'll keep your borehole running perfectly for 25+ years.