Estimated Costs of Borehole Drilling & Associated Services

Teko Engineering Ltd | Updated 2025 | All costs are estimates in Kenyan Shillings (KES) and may vary based on location, geology, depth, and site accessibility.

1. Site Survey & Hydrogeological Services

Service	Description	Unit	Estimated Cost (KES)
Hydrogeological Desk Study	Review of existing geological maps, satellite data, and regional aquifer reports	Per site	15,000 – 35,000
Geophysical Survey (VES)	Vertical Electrical Sounding using resistivity meter to map subsurface layers	Per site	30,000 – 80,000
Seismic Refraction Survey	Advanced seismic method for hard-rock terrain mapping	Per site	50,000 – 120,000
Borehole Siting Report	Written hydrogeological report with recommended drilling coordinates	Per report	20,000 – 50,000
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)	Statutory EIA for large-scale water projects as required by NEMA	Per project	80,000 – 300,000
WRA Drilling Notification	Preparation and filing of drilling notification with Water Resources Authority	Per application	10,000 – 25,000

2. Borehole Drilling — By Depth

Depth Range	Typical Application	Estimated Cost (KES)	Notes
0 – 50 m	Shallow alluvial aquifers, high water table zones	100,000 – 220,000	Western Kenya, flood plains
51 – 100 m	Standard residential and light commercial boreholes	250,000 – 450,000	Most common depth in Nairobi & Central
101 – 150 m	Medium commercial, schools, health centres	450,000 – 700,000	Rift Valley, Machakos, Kiambu
151 – 200 m	Deep aquifers, hard rock terrain, semi-arid zones	700,000 – 1,000,000	Kajiado, Makueni, Samburu
201 – 250 m	High-demand commercial and agricultural projects	1,000,000 – 1,400,000	ASAL regions, deep basement rock
251 – 300 m	Industrial-scale or challenging geological formations	1,400,000 – 2,000,000	Specialist rigs required
Mobilisation & Demobilisation	Rig transport to and from site (within 100 km of Nairobi)	Per trip	40,000 – 120,000

3. Borehole Casing & Lining Materials

Material / Service	Description	Unit	Estimated Cost (KES)
uPVC Casing (6")	Light-duty plastic casing for shallow domestic boreholes	Per metre	2,500 – 4,500
uPVC Casing (8")	Medium-duty casing for residential and light commercial use	Per metre	4,000 – 7,000
Steel Casing (6")	Heavy-duty galvanised steel for hard rock formations	Per metre	5,000 – 9,000
Steel Casing (8")	Commercial-grade steel casing	Per metre	8,000 – 14,000
Stainless Steel Screen	Slotted screen for gravel pack zones to filter sediment	Per metre	6,000 – 15,000
Gravel Packing	Filter gravel placed around screen to prevent fine sand entry	Per bag (25 kg)	1,500 – 3,000
Cement Grouting (Sanitary Seal)	Prevents surface water contamination at borehole head	Per borehole	15,000 – 35,000
Wellhead Completion Cap	Lockable galvanised wellhead cap with vent and access port	Per unit	8,000 – 20,000

4. Pump Supply & Installation

Pump Type / Service	Description	Capacity	Estimated Cost (KES)
Grundfos SP Series (Submersible)	High-efficiency submersible pump for residential use	0.5 – 2.2 kW	90,000 – 200,000
Grundfos SP Series (Commercial)	Heavy-duty submersible for commercial/institutional use	3 – 11 kW	200,000 – 550,000
KSB Submersible Pump	Reliable alternative brand for medium-depth boreholes	0.75 – 5.5 kW	80,000 – 300,000
Pedrollo Submersible Pump	Cost-effective option for shallow to medium depths	0.37 – 2.2 kW	50,000 – 150,000
Surface Centrifugal Pump	For shallow boreholes with high water tables	Up to 30 m suction head	30,000 – 90,000
Hand Pump (Afridev/India Mark II)	Manual pump for rural/off-grid low-volume applications	Manual	40,000 – 100,000
Rising Main Pipework (GI)	Galvanised iron rising main from pump to surface	Per metre	800 – 1,800
Rising Main (uPVC/HDPE)	Plastic rising main — lighter and corrosion-resistant	Per metre	400 – 900
Pump Installation (Labour)	Lowering pump, connecting cables and rising main	Per borehole	20,000 – 60,000
Control Panel & Starter Box	Motor protection, overload relay, on/off control	Per unit	25,000 – 80,000
Pressure Tank	Diaphragm tank for consistent pressure in distribution	100 – 500 L	20,000 – 70,000

5. Solar Pumping Systems

Component / Service	Description	Unit	Estimated Cost (KES)
Lorentz PS2 Solar Pump	Premium solar submersible pump with smart controller	Per unit	150,000 – 400,000
Grundfos SQFlex Solar Pump	Versatile solar pump for variable irradiance conditions	Per unit	180,000 – 450,000
Generic Solar Submersible Pump	Budget-friendly option for low-yield boreholes	Per unit	60,000 – 150,000
Solar PV Panels (300W–500W)	Monocrystalline panels to power the pump system	Per panel	18,000 – 35,000
MPPT Solar Controller	Maximum power point tracking charge/pump controller	Per unit	15,000 – 50,000
Panel Mounting Structure	Hot-dip galvanised ground or roof mount frame	Per set	25,000 – 70,000
Solar System Design & Installation	Full turnkey solar pump system design and commissioning	Per project	50,000 – 120,000
Complete Solar Borehole Package (Small)	2–4 panels, controller, solar pump, 5,000 L tank	Package	280,000 – 550,000
Complete Solar Borehole Package (Large)	6–12 panels, high-yield pump, 10,000+ L tank	Package	550,000 – 1,200,000

6. Pump Testing & Yield Analysis

Test / Service	Description	Duration	Estimated Cost (KES)
Step Drawdown Test	3–4 progressive pumping steps to determine safe yield	4 – 6 hours	20,000 – 45,000
Constant Rate Pumping Test	Sustained pumping at fixed rate to measure aquifer parameters	24 – 72 hours	35,000 – 80,000
Recovery Test	Measures water level recovery after pump shut-off	2 – 24 hours	15,000 – 30,000
Full Borehole Yield Analysis Report	Comprehensive report with aquifer transmissivity, safe yield, pump recommendations	Per report	25,000 – 60,000
Static Water Level Measurement	Pre-drilling and post-drilling water level logging	Per measurement	5,000 – 15,000

7. Water Quality Testing

Test Category	Parameters Covered	Estimated Cost (KES)
Basic Physical Test	pH, colour, turbidity, odour, taste, temperature	5,000 – 12,000
Chemical Analysis (Basic)	TDS, hardness, iron, manganese, fluoride, nitrate, chloride, sulphate	15,000 – 30,000
Heavy Metals Panel	Lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc	20,000 – 45,000
Microbiological Test	Total coliforms, E. coli, faecal coliforms	8,000 – 18,000
Full Potability Test (KEBS/WHO)	All physical, chemical, heavy metals, and microbiological parameters	40,000 – 80,000
Irrigation Suitability Test	SAR, sodium, boron, pH, EC — for agricultural water users	20,000 – 40,000
Annual Water Quality Monitoring	Quarterly or biannual testing and compliance reporting	Per year

8. Water Treatment Systems

System	Application	Estimated Cost (KES)
UV Sterilisation Unit	Eliminates bacteria and viruses without chemicals	25,000 – 80,000
Chlorination Dosing System	Automated chemical disinfection for large volumes	40,000 – 120,000
Iron & Manganese Removal Filter	Oxidation and filtration of dissolved iron/manganese	60,000 – 200,000
Multimedia Sand Filter	Removes suspended solids and turbidity	50,000 – 180,000
Activated Carbon Filter	Removes odour, colour, organic compounds, and chlorine	40,000 – 120,000
Reverse Osmosis (RO) System	Removes dissolved salts, TDS, and contaminants	80,000 – 350,000
Fluoride Removal System	Bone char or activated alumina filter for high-fluoride water	70,000 – 200,000
Full Water Treatment Plant	Custom-designed multi-stage treatment for institutional use	300,000 – 2,000,000+

9. Water Storage & Distribution

Item / Service	Description	Capacity	Estimated Cost (KES)
Plastic Water Tank (Roto/Polytank)	Rotationally moulded polyethylene tank	2,000 – 5,000 L	20,000 – 60,000
Plastic Water Tank (Large)	High-capacity ground or elevated storage	10,000 – 50,000 L	80,000 – 350,000
Ferrocement Tank	On-site cast ferrocement tank for rural communities	10,000 – 50,000 L	60,000 – 250,000
Elevated Steel Tank & Tower	Galvanised steel tank on fabricated tower for gravity distribution	5,000 – 20,000 L	150,000 – 500,000
Distribution Piping (HDPE)	Main and branch pipes from storage to points of use	Per metre	300 – 1,200
Tap Stands & Kiosks	Community water kiosk with concrete apron and taps	Per unit	40,000 – 120,000
Booster Pump System	Pump to increase pressure in distribution network	Per unit	40,000 – 150,000

10. Borehole Rehabilitation & Maintenance

Service	Description	Estimated Cost (KES)
CCTV Borehole Camera Inspection	Video survey to assess casing, screen, and internal condition	25,000 – 70,000
Airlifting & Jetting	High-pressure air and water jetting to remove sediment blockages	50,000 – 150,000
Chemical Treatment (Acid/Chlorine)	Acid or biocide treatment to remove scale and biofilm	40,000 – 120,000
Screen Replacement	Removal of damaged screen and installation of new one	80,000 – 200,000
Pump Pull, Service & Re-installation	Extracting pump, servicing or replacing components, reinstalling	30,000 – 90,000
Full Borehole Rehabilitation	CCTV + jetting + chemical treatment + re-development + new pump	150,000 – 400,000
Routine Annual Maintenance Contract	Scheduled pump inspection, water test, and service report	Per year

11. Regulatory, Documentation & Permits

Service	Description	Estimated Cost (KES)
WRA Drilling Notification Filing	Statutory notification before drilling commences	10,000 – 20,000
WRA Groundwater Abstraction Permit	Permit to legally abstract and use groundwater	15,000 – 50,000
Borehole Registration Certificate	Official WRA registration of completed borehole	8,000 – 20,000
Water Meter Supply & Installation	Calibrated water meter as required by WRA for abstraction > 1,000 m³/month	15,000 – 40,000
Driller's Log & Completion Report	Detailed stratigraphic log and technical project completion report	Per report
County/City Council Permit	Local authority approval for drilling within municipal areas	10,000 – 40,000

Summary: Typical All-Inclusive Borehole Project Costs

Project Type	Scope	Estimated Total Cost (KES)
Basic Domestic Borehole	Survey + drilling (≤80m) + uPVC casing + hand pump	180,000 – 350,000
Standard Residential Borehole	Survey + drilling (100m) + casing + submersible pump + 5,000 L tank	400,000 – 700,000
Solar Residential Borehole	Survey + drilling (100m) + casing + solar pump + 5,000 L tank	550,000 – 900,000
Commercial / School Borehole	Survey + drilling (150m) + casing + pump + water test + permits	800,000 – 1,500,000
Agricultural / Irrigation Borehole	Survey + drilling (150–200m) + high-yield pump + distribution	1,000,000 – 2,000,000
Industrial / Estate Water Supply	Survey + deep drilling + full treatment + storage + distribution	2,000,000 – 6,000,000+

Disclaimer: All prices are indicative estimates based on prevailing Kenyan market rates as of 2025. Actual costs depend on site geology, borehole depth, equipment specifications, location, and contractor. Always request itemised quotations from licensed and WRA-registered drillers.

Contact Raeli Hydro for a free site assessment and detailed quotation: Tel: +254 700 000 000 | Email: info@raelihydro.co.ke | Web: www.raelihydro.co.ke

Comments 12

Faith Mutua March 16, 2025

Very informative article! We're looking at drilling a borehole on our farm in Machakos and this has given us a clear picture of what to expect. The cost table is especially useful — do prices vary much between counties?

Teko Engineering Author March 17, 2025

Hi Faith! Yes, costs do vary by county — mainly due to geological depth and transport of equipment and materials. Machakos typically falls in the 60–120m depth range (basement complex). We'd be happy to provide a free site assessment and quote. Please reach out via our contact page!

Peter Otieno March 20, 2025

Is the Lipa Pole Pole plan available for commercial properties, not just residential? We run a small hotel in Nakuru and our water bills have become unsustainable.

Agnes Njoroge April 2, 2025

The section on water quality testing is something most guides skip over. Thank you for mentioning fluoride specifically — it's a real concern in parts of the Rift Valley. How long does it take to get water quality results back?