Crystal-clear water from your borehole. Having a borehole is one thing – ensuring safe, clean drinking water is another. Learn exactly what treatment your West Pokot borehole needs, why it matters, and how to keep your family healthy for years to come.
Why Borehole Water Treatment Matters in West Pokot
Your brand-new borehole pumps crystal-clear water to the surface. It looks clean, so it must be safe to drink, right? Not always. Even the clearest borehole water can contain invisible contaminants that affect health, damage appliances, and create long-term problems.
The good news: Not every borehole needs extensive treatment. About 40% of West Pokot boreholes produce naturally safe water requiring only basic filtration. The key is knowing exactly what's in your water through professional testing.
Step 1: Water Quality Testing (ALWAYS Do This First!)
✅ Comprehensive Water Test Package: KSH 5,000 - 12,000
What's Tested:
- Physical Parameters: Color, turbidity, temperature, taste, odor
- Chemical Parameters: pH, hardness, iron, fluoride, nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Bacteriological Testing: E. coli, total coliforms, fecal coliforms
- Heavy Metals (if needed): Lead, arsenic, mercury
Turnaround Time: 5-7 days for results
Where to Test: Government Chemist, KEBS Labs, or accredited private labs
⚠️ Never Assume Your Water is Safe
Even if neighbors have good water, YOUR borehole could tap a different aquifer layer with different quality. Testing costs KSH 5,000-12,000 – a small price for your family's health. Fancy Drops includes basic testing in our installation packages.
Common Water Quality Issues in West Pokot Boreholes
🧪 Issue #1: High Mineral Content (Hard Water)
Prevalence in West Pokot: About 60% of boreholes
Signs You Have It: White scale buildup on taps/kettles, soap doesn't lather well, dishes have spots, skin feels dry after bathing
What Causes It: Calcium and magnesium dissolve from underground rock formations. West Pokot's limestone-rich geology makes hard water common.
✅ Softener ROI: Saves Money Long-Term!
Softener Cost: KSH 45,000 average
Annual Savings: KSH 15,000-20,000 (reduced soap, detergent, appliance repairs)
Appliance Lifespan Extension: 3-5 years longer for heaters, washing machines
Payback Period: 2-3 years
🦠 Issue #2: Bacterial Contamination
Prevalence in West Pokot: About 25% of boreholes (especially shallow ones)
Signs You Have It: Often NO visible signs - requires lab testing
What Causes It: Surface water seepage (especially in shallow boreholes <40m), poor borehole sealing, contamination during drilling, nearby septic systems.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Test Before Drinking!
You cannot see, smell, or taste most harmful bacteria. Even brand-new boreholes can be contaminated. ALWAYS test water before consumption. Testing costs KSH 5,000-8,000 but could save your family's health.
🌫️ Issue #3: High Turbidity (Cloudy Water)
Prevalence in West Pokot: About 30% of boreholes (especially new ones)
Signs You Have It: Water looks milky/cloudy, sediment settles in tanks, brownish tint
What Causes It: Fine sand/silt particles, inadequate borehole development, poor screen selection, or aquifer disturbance.
Good News: Often temporary in new boreholes! Proper borehole flushing (development) for 6-12 hours usually resolves the issue permanently.
⚫ Issue #4: Iron & Manganese
Prevalence in West Pokot: About 20% of boreholes
Signs You Have It: Brown/orange stains on fixtures, metallic taste, water turns brown when exposed to air, reddish sediment
What Causes It: Iron-rich rock formations dissolve into groundwater. Common in areas with volcanic geology.
🧂 Issue #5: High Salinity (Salty Water)
Prevalence in West Pokot: About 10% of boreholes (mainly in specific regions)
Signs You Have It: Water tastes salty, white crusty deposits, corrodes metal quickly
What Causes It: Dissolved salts from rock formations or, in some cases, seawater intrusion (not common in West Pokot).
⚠️ Most Expensive to Treat
High salinity requires reverse osmosis (RO) - the most costly treatment. If your borehole tests high for salinity, consider drilling deeper or relocating the borehole instead of treating. Sometimes re-drilling is more cost-effective.
Water Treatment Systems Explained
🔬 System #1: Sediment Filtration
KSH 8,000 - 20,000What It Does: Removes physical particles like sand, silt, rust, and debris
How It Works: Water passes through multiple filter cartridges (5-50 micron) that trap particles
Best For:
- Cloudy or turbid water
- Protecting pumps and appliances from sediment damage
- As a pre-treatment before other systems
Maintenance: Replace filter cartridges every 3-6 months (KSH 800-2,500 each)
✅ Recommended for ALL Boreholes
Even if your water looks clear, a basic sediment filter (KSH 8,000-12,000) protects expensive pumps and appliances from microscopic particles. Consider it cheap insurance!
💧 System #2: Water Softener
KSH 35,000 - 65,000What It Does: Removes calcium and magnesium that cause hardness
How It Works: Ion exchange process using salt to replace hard minerals with sodium
Best For:
- Reducing scale buildup in pipes and appliances
- Improving soap lathering and cleaning efficiency
- Protecting water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers
- Softer skin and hair after bathing
Maintenance: Refill salt tank monthly (KSH 400-800 per 25kg bag), periodic resin bed cleaning
Capacity Options:
- Small (3-5 person household): KSH 35,000-45,000
- Medium (6-10 person household): KSH 45,000-55,000
- Large (commercial/institutional): KSH 55,000-80,000+
☀️ System #3: UV Sterilization
KSH 25,000 - 45,000What It Does: Kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
How It Works: Ultraviolet light damages microorganism DNA, making them unable to reproduce
Best For:
- Bacterial contamination (E. coli, coliforms)
- Virus protection (hepatitis, polio, rotavirus)
- Chemical-free disinfection
- Households with children, elderly, or immune-compromised members
Maintenance: Replace UV bulb annually (KSH 3,500-6,000), clean quartz sleeve every 6 months
✅ Highly Recommended for Shallow Boreholes (<50m)
Shallow boreholes are more susceptible to bacterial contamination from surface water. UV sterilization provides continuous protection without chemicals or taste changes.
⚠️ UV Requires Clear Water First!
UV light only works in clear water. If your water is cloudy/turbid, you MUST install sediment filtration BEFORE the UV system, or bacteria can "hide" behind particles.
🔄 System #4: Reverse Osmosis (RO)
KSH 80,000 - 150,000What It Does: Removes dissolved salts, minerals, heavy metals, and most contaminants
How It Works: Forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks contaminants
Best For:
- High salinity (salty water)
- Fluoride reduction
- Heavy metal removal (lead, arsenic, mercury)
- Extremely high TDS (total dissolved solids)
- Producing bottled-water quality for drinking/cooking
Maintenance: Replace filters every 6-12 months (KSH 5,000-8,000), membrane every 2-3 years (KSH 12,000-18,000)
System Types:
- Under-sink (point-of-use): KSH 35,000-65,000 (for drinking water only)
- Whole-house (point-of-entry): KSH 150,000-300,000 (treats all water)
⚠️ RO Considerations
Water Wastage: RO systems waste 2-4 liters for every 1 liter produced
Slow Flow: Typically fills 10-12 liters per hour
Mineral Removal: Removes beneficial minerals too (can add remineralization cartridge)
Our Recommendation: Only use RO if testing shows it's necessary. It's expensive, wastes water, and is overkill for most boreholes.
💨 System #5: Aeration + Iron Removal
KSH 45,000 - 80,000What It Does: Removes dissolved iron and manganese that cause staining
How It Works: Aeration oxidizes iron/manganese, then filters remove the oxidized particles
Best For:
- Brown/orange water or staining
- Metallic taste
- Reddish-brown sediment
- High iron content (>0.3 mg/L)
Maintenance: Backwash filter weekly (automatic systems available), replace media every 3-5 years
🧪 System #6: Chlorination
KSH 15,000 - 35,000What It Does: Kills bacteria and oxidizes iron/manganese
How It Works: Automatic chlorine dosing system injects chlorine into water, then removes excess
Best For:
- Budget-friendly bacterial treatment
- Combined bacterial + iron removal
- Large-scale applications (schools, hospitals)
Maintenance: Refill chlorine solution monthly (KSH 500-1,500), periodic system calibration
⚠️ Chlorine vs UV: Which is Better?
UV Advantages: No taste/odor, no chemicals, instant disinfection, no ongoing costs
Chlorine Advantages: Lower upfront cost, provides residual protection in storage tanks, also removes iron
Our Recommendation: UV is better for home use; chlorine for large institutions or if iron removal is also needed.
Recommended Treatment Packages by Water Quality
| Your Water Issue | Recommended Package | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clear, No Issues (40% of boreholes) |
Basic sediment filter only | KSH 8,000 - 12,000 |
| Hard Water Only (25% of boreholes) |
Sediment filter + Water softener | KSH 45,000 - 75,000 |
| Bacterial Risk (15% of boreholes) |
Sediment filter + UV sterilization | KSH 35,000 - 60,000 |
| Hard Water + Bacteria (10% of boreholes) |
Sediment filter + Softener + UV | KSH 65,000 - 110,000 |
| Iron/Manganese (5% of boreholes) |
Sediment filter + Aeration/iron removal | KSH 55,000 - 95,000 |
| High Salinity (5% of boreholes) |
Under-sink RO for drinking water only | KSH 35,000 - 65,000 |
Maintenance & Ongoing Costs
Water treatment systems require regular maintenance to function properly. Budget for these ongoing costs:
- Sediment Filters: Replace every 3-6 months (KSH 800-2,500 per filter)
- Water Softener Salt: Monthly refill (KSH 400-800 per 25kg bag)
- UV Bulb: Annual replacement (KSH 3,500-6,000)
- RO Filters: Pre-filters every 6 months (KSH 2,000-3,000), membrane every 2-3 years (KSH 12,000-18,000)
- Professional Servicing: Annual checkup (KSH 3,000-8,000)
Annual Maintenance Budget: KSH 5,000-20,000 depending on systems installed
DIY vs Professional Installation
⚠️ We Recommend Professional Installation
Why?
- Correct Sizing: Wrong system size = wasted money + poor performance
- Proper Sequencing: Treatment stages must be in correct order or they won't work
- Warranty Protection: DIY installation often voids manufacturer warranties
- Plumbing Expertise: Incorrect installation can cause leaks or contamination
- Testing & Calibration: Systems need professional testing to ensure effectiveness
Fancy Drops Installation Service: KSH 5,000-15,000 (includes testing, calibration, training, 1-year warranty)
When Treatment Isn't Enough: Consider Drilling Deeper
Sometimes, the most cost-effective solution isn't treating bad water – it's drilling deeper to reach better water quality. Consider deepening or relocating your borehole if:
- Treatment costs exceed KSH 150,000 (might be cheaper to drill deeper)
- High salinity requiring expensive RO systems
- Persistent bacterial contamination despite treatment (surface water intrusion)
- Very low yield (<5 liters/minute) making treatment impractical
Consult Fancy Drops: We'll honestly assess whether treatment or re-drilling makes more economic sense for your situation.
🧪 Get Your Water Tested & Treated Today
Fancy Drops Engineering offers comprehensive water testing and professional treatment system installation. We'll test your water, recommend the right treatment, and ensure your family has safe, clean drinking water.