Borehole Equipping turns a drilled hole into a working water supply. It covers everything from the pump at the bottom to the tap or tank at the top: rising main, cable, safety rope, borehole head, controls, protection, pipework and the connection to storage or the house. A pump-only installation is just one part of this.
- Have the drilling record and yield test results ready.
- Say what the water will supply and where the tank or house connection is.
- Mention the power source: mains, solar or generator.
Compare quotes to equip your drilled borehole.
Compare Borehole QuotesWhat Equipping Includes
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Submersible pump and motor | Sized to the tested yield and the total lift |
| Rising main (HDPE or uPVC) | Carries water up the hole |
| Submersible cable and joints | Power to the motor |
| Safety rope | Holds the pump if a pipe joint fails |
| Borehole head and sanitary seal | Seals the top of the casing |
| Control box and protection | Starting, dry-run, surge and overload protection |
| Surface pipework and valves | Non-return valve, meter and connection to storage |
| Tank level or pressure controls | Automatic switching on demand |
Often separate: tanks and stands, booster pumps, filtration, trenching and the electrical supply from the distribution board, which needs a registered electrician.
Equipping or Pump Installation
- Equipping is the full system on a borehole that has never had one, or a complete rebuild.
- Pump installation is supplying and fitting the pump itself, often as a replacement. See borehole pump installation.
The Equipping Process
- Design. Pump size, pipe class and cable size are worked out from yield, depth and distance.
- Installation. Pump, rising main, cable and rope are lowered and the borehole head is sealed.
- Controls. Control box, protection and level or pressure switching are fitted.
- Connection. Water is piped to the tank, irrigation or house.
- Commissioning. Flow and current are measured and recorded.
Borehole Equipping Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Pump unit only, wider range | R5,000 - R15,000 |
| Installation labour | R2,000 - R8,000 |
| Submersible cable, per metre | About R50 |
| HDPE rising main, per metre | About R35 |
| Pressure tank | R2,000 - R10,000 |
| Pump protection (dry-run and surge) | R1,500 - R5,000 |
| Complete pump system, installed, typical residential | R15,000 - R45,000 |
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. Confirm whether VAT is included on every quote.
Sources:
- Borehole Hub, borehole prices 2026
- Borehole Guide, borehole pump installation cost (March 2026)
- Enviroleg, borehole price and drilling price guides (2026)
- Lekker Trade, borehole drilling cost per metre (October 2026)
What Affects Borehole Equipping Quotes
- Pump depth and total lift to the tank.
- Distance from borehole to tank or house.
- Pump size and brand.
- Protection, automation and remote monitoring.
- Trenching and surface restoration.
Questions to Ask About Borehole Equipping
- How did you size the pump, and from which test?
- What pipe class and cable size will you use?
- Is a safety rope included?
- What protection is fitted against dry running and surges?
- Who issues the electrical certificate of compliance?
Compare equipping contractors through Borehole Installation South Africa.
Equipping follows borehole drilling and a yield test.
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Borehole Equipping FAQs
Can a borehole be equipped without a yield test?
It can, but the pump may be too big and run the hole dry, or too small. A yield test is the safer basis.
Should the borehole feed a tank or the house directly?
Most systems pump into a tank, then a booster pump supplies the house. This protects the borehole and smooths pressure.
Who does the electrical connection?
A registered electrician should connect the supply and issue a certificate of compliance.
How long does equipping take?
Often a day for a straightforward residential installation, longer with trenching and tanks.
Can I equip a borehole drilled years ago?
Usually. A camera inspection and yield test first confirm the hole is sound.
Borehole Installation South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. The installation 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.
Borehole Equipping. Compare quotes to complete your borehole.
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