Borehole Restoration

For many households, farms, and businesses in Kenya, a borehole is more than just a water source—it is a lifeline. Over time, however, even well‑constructed boreholes can lose yield, become contaminated, or break down due to mechanical failure, siltation, or aquifer changes. This is where borehole restoration (also known as borehole rehabilitation) becomes essential. Teko Engineering Ltd (Teko.co.ke) offers expert borehole restoration services across Kenya, helping communities and enterprises recover water supply without the high cost of drilling a new borehole.

What Is Borehole Restoration?

Borehole restoration is the process of diagnosing, cleaning, repairing, and optimizing an existing borehole so that it regains sustainable yield, better water quality, and long‑term reliability. Instead of abandoning a failing borehole and drilling a new one, restoration focuses on identifying the root cause of the problem—be it siltation, pump failure, corrosion, scaling, or structural damage—and applying targeted technical solutions.

Restoration can restore up to 90% of the original water yield in many cases, while extending the borehole’s operational life by 15–20 years. By choosing restoration over new drilling, landowners cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and maintain continuity of water supply for homes, schools, farms, and industrial operations.​

Why Borehole Restoration Is Needed in Kenya

In Kenya, many boreholes were drilled years ago with limited follow‑up maintenance. As a result, common problems have emerged that Teko Engineering Ltd regularly encounters on rehabilitation projects.

• Siltation and clogging: Sediment and sand gradually accumulate in the borehole and screen, reducing the flow of water and sometimes causing pump failure.

• Pump and piping failure: Submersible or hand‑pump systems wear out due to continuous use, corrosion, or poor water quality, leading to recurrent breakdowns.

• Mineral scaling and biofouling: Dissolved minerals and microbial growth coat the casing and pump, restricting water passage and reducing efficiency.

• Poor construction or casing damage: Older boreholes sometimes have weak casings or improper development, which leads to collapse, contamination, or low yield.

• Changing aquifer conditions: In arid and semi‑arid areas, groundwater levels may decline or shift, requiring re‑development or adjustment of the pump setting.

Left unattended, these issues can completely shut down a borehole, forcing institutions such as schools, health centres, and farms to rely on expensive and unreliable water sources. Borehole restoration offers a technical and economical way to reverse these problems and restore dependable water access.

The Borehole Restoration Process

Teko Engineering Ltd follows a structured borehole restoration workflow that ensures maximum water recovery, improved safety, and long‑term reliability. The process is similar across residential, commercial, and agricultural sites, though specifics are tailored to each site’s geology and water demand.

1. Site Assessment and Diagnosis

Before any restoration work begins, Teko’s engineers conduct a detailed assessment of the borehole and its environment. This includes:

• Measuring water level, static and dynamic water levels, and flow rate.

• Inspecting the casing, wellhead, pump, piping, and surface infrastructure for damage or corrosion.

• Using tools such as borehole cameras and pressure‑testing equipment to detect breaks, leaks, or blockages in the lining or screen.

• Taking water samples to test for physical, chemical, and microbial quality (e.g., iron, manganese, coliforms, turbidity).

This diagnostic phase helps Teko determine whether the borehole can be revived, what techniques are required, and whether any upgrades (such as solar‑powered pumps) are recommended.

2. Mechanical Cleaning and Development

Once the problem areas are identified, the borehole is mechanically cleaned and re‑developed to restore flow. Common techniques used by Teko Engineering Ltd include:

• Surging and air‑lifting: High‑pressure water and air are used to flush out fine sand, silt, and debris from the borehole and surrounding aquifer.

• High‑pressure jetting: Rotating jet‑nozzles scour the inside of the casing and screen to remove scale, mud, and biofilm.

• Bailing and surging tools: These tools remove heavier sediment and broken material that can clog the water intake zone.

• Brushing and scraping: Wire brushes or mechanical scrapers are passed down the borehole to clear mineral deposits and restore the original internal diameter.

This stage often restores a significant portion of the borehole’s original yield and prepares it for re‑equipping with an efficient pumping system.

3. Structural Repairs and Casing Upgrades

If the assessment reveals damaged casing, cracked linings, or a compromised wellhead, Teko Engineering Ltd carries out structural repairs to ensure the borehole remains safe and sanitary. Typical interventions include:

• Replacing or reinforcing corroded casing sections.

• Installing or repairing screens and liners to prevent sand ingress and improve water intake.

• Sealing the top of the borehole with sanitary wellheads, grouting, and caps to prevent surface contamination.

• Re‑building the surface apron and drainage to keep runoff and pollutants away from the borehole.

These upgrades are critical for boreholes serving schools, hospitals, and homes, where water quality is as important as volume.

4. Pump, Motor, and Electrical System Restoration

A large number of borehole failures in Kenya are linked to pump and electrical problems rather than to the aquifer itself. Teko Engineering Ltd restores and, where necessary, upgrades:

• Submersible or surface pumps and motors.

• Electrical control panels, cabling, and switchgear.

• Solar‑powered pumping systems as an alternative to or replacement for diesel‑powered units.

Upgrading to energy‑efficient, often solar‑based pumping systems reduces long‑term operating costs and carbon emissions, making borehole water supply more sustainable in off‑grid and peri‑urban areas like Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, and Samburu.

5. Water Quality Improvement and Testing

Restoration is not only about restoring flow; it is also about ensuring that the water is safe for its intended use. Teko Engineering Ltd may recommend:

• Filtration systems (sand, carbon, or membrane filters) to remove iron, manganese, or turbidity.

• UV or chlorination units for disinfection where microbiological contamination is found.

• Routine water‑quality monitoring and record‑keeping to track changes over time.

After treatment, new water samples are tested to confirm that the borehole meets national and WHO‑aligned water‑quality standards for domestic or agricultural use.

Benefits of Borehole Restoration

Choosing borehole restoration over drilling a new borehole offers several advantages, especially in Kenya’s cost‑sensitive and water‑stressed environment.

• Cost savings: Rehabilitation can cost significantly less than a new borehole, as it re‑uses existing infrastructure and avoids the full drilling and permitting process.

• Quicker turnaround: A restoration project typically takes days to weeks, compared with the longer timelines of drilling, test‑pumping, and equipping a new borehole.

• Reduced environmental impact: Existing boreholes are re‑used, minimizing new land disturbance and reducing the carbon footprint associated with fuel‑driven drilling rigs.

• Extended lifespan: Properly restored and maintained boreholes can reliably supply water for many more years, reducing the need for frequent emergency repairs.

• Improved water quality and yield: With thorough cleaning, repairs, and modern pump systems, restored boreholes often perform better than they did when first installed.

Teko Engineering Ltd also emphasizes routine maintenance plans that help clients avoid the need for major restoration in the future, thereby improving the long‑term sustainability of their water projects.

When to Consider Borehole Restoration

Borehole restoration is suitable in a wide range of situations, such as:

• A borehole that has gradually reduced in yield or stopped flowing altogether.

• Frequent pump failures or blockages by sand and silt.

• Suspected water contamination or sudden changes in taste, smell, or colour.

• A borehole that was constructed many years ago with no proper maintenance history.

• An institution (school, hospital, farm, or factory) facing rising water costs due to low‑yielding or unreliable boreholes.

In such cases, contacting Teko Engineering Ltd for a borehole assessment and restoration plan is a practical first step toward restoring water security.

Why Choose Teko Engineering Ltd for Borehole Restoration?

Teko Engineering Ltd brings both technical expertise and extensive field experience to borehole restoration projects across Kenya. With a proven track record in drilling, equipping, and rehabilitating boreholes, the company offers:

• Nationally experienced engineers and technicians familiar with different rock types and aquifer systems.

• Advanced diagnostic tools, including borehole cameras, pressure‑testing equipment, and water‑quality testing.

• Transparent, itemized quotations and flexible payment options, such as the “Malipo Pole Pole” financing model for eligible projects.​

• 24/7 support and maintenance plans to keep restored boreholes running efficiently.

For landowners, communities, and businesses seeking reliable, long‑term water security, borehole restoration is a smart, cost‑effective solution—and Teko Engineering Ltd is the trusted partner to make it happen.

If you have a borehole that is no longer producing enough water, frequently breaking down, or raising quality concerns, reach out to Teko Engineering Ltd today and let our experts restore your water source for years to come.