Agricultural Borehole Drilling supplies water for livestock, irrigation, tunnels, dairies and farm homes. Farms usually need more water over larger distances than households, so the borehole, pump, power source and storage are planned as one system.
- Say what the water is for: livestock, irrigation, a dairy or the farmhouse.
- Give herd numbers or irrigated area, and the distance to troughs or tanks.
- Mention power on site: Eskom, solar, generator or wind.
Describe your farm water need once and compare quotes.
Compare Borehole QuotesWorking Out Demand
- Livestock. Water need varies with species, size, feed and heat, and peaks in summer.
- Irrigation. Crop, area, method and season set demand. Drip uses far less than flood irrigation.
- Seasonal supply. Water levels often drop late in the dry season. Size the pump to the borehole's tested yield, not the airlift.
Authorisation on Farms
Watering livestock within normal grazing capacity and household use fall under Schedule 1 of the National Water Act. Irrigation, feedlots and other commercial use fall under a general authorisation, which may need registration above set volumes, or a water use licence. Ask your contractor or the regional DWS office before you invest.
Pumping and Storage Options
- Solar pumps. Common for remote boreholes. See solar borehole pumps.
- Mains submersible pumps. For higher yields where power is close.
- Windmills. Still used for livestock in some areas.
- Storage. Reservoirs or tanks let the borehole pump slowly all day and feed troughs or irrigation by gravity.
The Farm Borehole Process
- Siting. A survey on large farms helps choose between several positions.
- Drilling. Holes may be deeper and wider for higher-capacity pumps.
- Yield test. A longer pump test sets a seasonal safe rate.
- Water test. Livestock and crops tolerate different salt and mineral levels.
- Equipping. Pump, power, pipeline, storage and troughs or irrigation.
Agricultural Borehole Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Drilling only, per metre: Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga | R290 - R540 |
| Drilling only, per metre: other regions | R310 - R750 |
| Casing, per metre | R400 - R700 |
| Geophysical siting survey | R5,000 - R10,000 |
| Yield test, domestic-scale | R1,500 - R5,000 |
| Site establishment, remote sites | R2,000 - R10,000 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges compiled from price guides published by South African contractors, suppliers and quote websites, checked October 2026 and rounded where needed. They are not our prices and no contractor is bound by them. Long tests, high-capacity pumps, pipelines and reservoirs are quoted per farm. Confirm whether VAT is included on every quote.
Sources:
- OurPower, borehole drilling cost by city (October 2026)
- Lekker Trade, borehole drilling cost per metre (October 2026)
- Borehole Hub, borehole prices 2026
What Affects Agricultural Borehole Drilling Quotes
- Travel distance and access on farm roads.
- Depth and diameter.
- Power source and pipeline length.
- Storage size and number of draw-off points.
Questions to Ask Contractors
- What yields are neighbouring farm boreholes giving?
- How long will the yield test run, and in which season?
- Can the pump run on solar, and what happens on cloudy days?
- Will the water suit my livestock or crops?
- Who handles registration if irrigation is involved?
Compare farm borehole contractors through Borehole Installation South Africa.
See borehole drilling for casing and completion details.
Related Services
Agricultural Borehole Drilling FAQs
Do I need a licence for a farm borehole?
Livestock watering within normal grazing capacity is Schedule 1 use. Irrigation and other commercial use may need registration or a licence, depending on volume and area.
Can one borehole supply irrigation?
Sometimes. It depends on tested yield and the irrigated area. Many farms combine several boreholes with storage.
Is solar enough for livestock?
Often, with enough storage to cover nights and cloudy days.
Why test water for livestock?
High salt, fluoride or nitrate levels can harm animals and crops. A lab test shows whether the water suits your use.
When is the best time to test yield?
Late in the dry season gives the most conservative result.
Borehole Installation South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. The work is quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Availability depends on your location and on contractors taking on that kind of job. Before you pay a deposit, get a written quote that lists what is included and excluded, the guarantee terms and the payment terms.
Agricultural Borehole Drilling. Compare quotes for farm water supply.
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