You hear that familiar, steady hum coming from your yard. Your solar inverter or control box shows that the pump is pulling power and running exactly as it should. You walk over to your storage tank or garden tap, turn the handle, and... nothing. Not even a sputter.
It is one of the most frustrating experiences a homeowner or farmer in Zimbabwe can face. If the pump is running, the laws of physics say water should be flowing.
When a borehole pump operates without delivering water, it’s usually a sign of a hidden issue deep underground or along your delivery line. Let’s look at the most common culprits behind this dry-spell mystery.
4 Reasons Your Borehole Pump is Running on Empty
1. The Water Table Has Dropped (Seasonal Drawdown)
As the dry season peaks, the underground water table can drop significantly. If your borehole wasn't drilled deep enough into the water-bearing rock formation (aquifer), your submersible pump might suddenly find itself hanging in dry air. The motor will spin perfectly, but it has no water to pull.
2. A Damaged or Broken Riser Pipe
Your riser pipe is the vertical line that carries water from the pump all the way up to the surface discharge. If this pipe develops a severe split, breaks, or disconnects due to underground pressure or poor installation material, the pump will happily push water—it just all leaks right back down into the hole before it ever reaches your storage tanks.
3. A Blocked or Worn-Out Pump Intake
If your borehole wasn’t properly protected with a high-quality perforated or screened casing, sand, silt, or mud can migrate into the well. Over time, this debris can completely clog the intake screen of your pump or destroy the internal impellers. The motor still runs, but it can no longer create the pressure needed to lift water.
4. Faulty Non-Return Valve (Check Valve)
If your non-return valve fails, water flows backward into the borehole every time the system turns off. This can cause the pump to lose its prime or struggle against severe airlocks.
⚠️ Critical Warning: Running a submersible pump without water passing through it can cause it to overheat and burn out the motor in a matter of minutes. Water acts as the pump’s natural coolant. If you notice this issue, turn off your system immediately to prevent a costly replacement!
The Gold Standard Fix: Trust Nakiso Borehole Drilling
Diagnosing a blind underground issue requires more than just guesswork—it takes heavy-duty diagnostic equipment, precision engineering, and a team that understands local geology. That is where Nakiso Borehole Drilling comes in.
As Zimbabwe's premier water security experts, Nakiso doesn't just drill holes; we engineer lifelong water solutions. When your system leaves you high and dry, our dedicated maintenance and recovery teams treat it as an emergency.
Why Zimbabweans Trust Nakiso to Restore Their Flow:
Advanced Camera Diagnostics: We don't guess. We use state-of-the-art borehole cameras and testing equipment to see exactly what is happening down the hole before we pull up a single pipe.
The Class 10 Standard: We believe in doing things right the first time. From heavy-duty, 10mm thickness virgin PVC Class 10 casings that resist underground borehole collapse, to premium solar pump installations, we only use materials built to last a lifetime.
Expert Geologists & Engineers: Our teams thoroughly understand local rock formations, ensuring your pump is set at the optimal depth to handle seasonal water table fluctuations.
Full-Service Support: From the initial hydrogeological water survey to drilling, capacity testing, solar integration, and long-term maintenance—we take care of everything.
Bring Your Borehole Back to Life Today
Don't let a dry tap stall your home, business, or agricultural project. If your pump is humming a song with no results, turn it off and let the experts handle it safely.
Contact Nakiso Borehole Drilling today to book a professional diagnostic inspection. We’ll get to the bottom of the mystery and get your clean, refreshing water flowing seamlessly again.
About Nakiso Borehole Drilling
At Nakiso Borehole Drilling, we are your comprehensive partner for unlocking reliable water on your property. Our highly skilled team tackles all drilling projects, from standard boreholes to specialized Blast Hole and RC Drilling.
We handle everything in-house for a seamless experience, encompassing expert borehole siting, efficient drilling, and pump installation – solar, electric, or manual – tailored to your specific needs. With Nakiso, your reliable water source is just a drill away.
We don't just strive to be the best; we maintain the industry's strictest quality standards and are committed to sustainable practices for the future of Zimbabwe's water security.
Fact 1: Know Your Borehole Casings
The Preferred Borehole Casing In Zimbabwe Is Class 9 and 10 (Pressure Classes.)
This is because Class 9 and Class 10 Casings are more collapse resistant. The strength of a Casing is often described as collapse resistance.
Fact 2: Borehole Drilling Depth
The exact depth, of where the water is located, cannot be established by the drilling contractor nor the Water Surveyor (Borehole Siter).
Fact 3: There Is No 100% Guarantee
It is important to note that it is never a 100% guarantee that any hole will yield water, the amount and water quality can also not be guaranteed by the drilling contractor and water surveyor.
Fact 4: Siting Is Important
Making use of a hydrologist or traditional water diviner will increase your chances of having a successful borehole that will yield a sufficient amount of water.
Fact 5: Know The Risks
The risk of the borehole drilling lies with the property owner. The client will still be liable for the drilling costs irrespective of a borehole yielding water or not.
Our Branches and Our Contacts
Churchill Ave Branch
Business Offices (HQ):55 Churchill Avenue,
Alexandra Park,
Harare North,
Zimbabwe.
Call Us Today:
Office Numbers: +263 867 71 88844
Sales: +263 78 860 8009
Operations: +263 78 860 8005
Marketing: +263 78 876 6701
Email: info@nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Website: www.nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Bluff Hill Branch
Business Offices:36 St. Anthans Drive,
Bluff Hill,
Harare,
Zimbabwe.
Call Us Today:
Office Numbers: +263 71 494 0883
Sales: +263 78 860 8009
Operations: +263 78 860 8005
Marketing: +263 78 876 6701
Email: info@nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Website: www.nakisoboreholes.co.zw
