Evidence-led project delivery
The borehole drilling process, without the black box.
Every stage should answer a specific question before money and equipment move to the next one. This page shows the decisions, inputs, outputs and hold points behind a professionally coordinated water project.
The operating principle
Evidence first. Equipment second.
A borehole is not one purchase. It is a sequence in which geology informs construction, construction informs testing, and testing informs the pump and storage system.
Do not promise depth from a phone call.
Regional experience is useful, but the drilling target should come from site-specific investigation.
Do not size a pump from borehole diameter.
Yield, pumping water level, total head and demand define the hydraulic duty.
Do not treat handover as the last invoice.
Reports, equipment details and operating guidance are part of a maintainable water asset.
Eight controlled stages
What happens, who provides what, and when to proceed.
Open each stage to review the question it resolves. The decision gate is the minimum evidence required before the following stage should begin.
01Stage 01Project definition
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Project definition
Purpose
Turn an enquiry into a usable technical brief.
What the client provides
Exact site location, intended water use, approximate daily demand, preferred timeline and any existing records.
What Hamiki produces
A preliminary scope, missing-information list and recommended first technical action.
Decision gate
The intended use and site are clear enough to plan investigation.
02Stage 02Hydrogeological investigation
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Hydrogeological investigation
Purpose
Reduce uncertainty before selecting a drilling point.
What the client provides
Site access, landowner authority and relevant local knowledge about nearby water sources.
What Hamiki produces
Field observations, geophysical measurements, interpreted target, recommended drilling depth range and survey report.
Decision gate
A defensible drilling target and construction recommendation are documented.
03Stage 03Permits and mobilisation
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Permits and mobilisation
Purpose
Align the planned work with approvals, access and safe rig operation.
What the client provides
Ownership/authority documents, approved access route, working area and timely decisions on the agreed scope.
What Hamiki produces
Permit-support information, mobilisation plan, site checklist and confirmed construction scope.
Decision gate
Required approvals and safe physical access are in place before drilling.
04Stage 04Borehole construction
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Borehole construction
Purpose
Drill and complete the borehole in response to actual formations encountered.
What the client provides
Clear work area and an authorised contact for site decisions.
What Hamiki produces
Drilling, geological logging, casing/screen installation, gravel pack, sanitary seal and borehole development as specified.
Decision gate
Construction records are complete and the borehole is ready for performance testing.
05Stage 05Testing and water quality
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Testing and water quality
Purpose
Measure how the borehole behaves under controlled abstraction.
What the client provides
Agreement on test duration and access for discharge-water management.
What Hamiki produces
Static level, pumping levels, discharge, drawdown, recovery observations, test report and water sample coordination.
Decision gate
A sustainable operating duty can be selected from measured performance—not guesswork.
06Stage 06Pump and system design
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Pump and system design
Purpose
Convert test results and demand into the correct hydraulic system.
What the client provides
Delivery point, elevation, pipe route, daily use pattern, preferred power source and storage needs.
What Hamiki produces
Pump duty, motor/cable/controls, rising main, solar or grid arrangement, storage and protection specification.
Decision gate
Equipment is matched to borehole performance, total head and required daily volume.
07Stage 07Installation and commissioning
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Installation and commissioning
Purpose
Install, test and demonstrate the complete operating system.
What the client provides
Secure equipment location and an available operator or representative for handover.
What Hamiki produces
Installation, electrical/mechanical checks, flow verification, protection settings and operating demonstration.
Decision gate
The system operates within its design duty and the owner understands normal operation.
08Stage 08Handover and aftercare
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Handover and aftercare
Purpose
Leave the owner with records needed to operate and maintain the asset.
What the client provides
Named custodian and maintenance contact.
What Hamiki produces
Available reports, equipment schedule, operating guidance, maintenance priorities and support contact.
Decision gate
Records and responsibilities are transferred clearly.
Responsibility map
Clear ownership prevents expensive pauses.
The exact assignment varies by contract and county, but every item should have a named owner before mobilisation.
Contract note: the signed quotation and scope always take precedence over this general guide. Permit obligations, taxes, third-party laboratory work, civil works and power connections must be stated explicitly.
Records that matter
A borehole should leave a documentary trail.
Available handover records depend on the commissioned scope, but these are the core documents customers should discuss before work begins.
Survey report
Target coordinates, interpreted subsurface conditions and drilling recommendations.
Construction log
Drilled depth, formations, casing, screens, gravel pack, seal and development record.
Test-pumping data
Discharge, water levels, drawdown, recovery and interpreted operating guidance.
Laboratory results
Sample results should be read against the intended use and applicable standards.
Equipment schedule
Pump, motor, cable, controls, protection, pipes, solar array and storage details.
Operating guidance
Normal duty, warning signs, inspection intervals and maintenance priorities.
Common causes of delay
Most lost time starts before the rig.
- Incomplete site coordinates or unclear ownership
The technical and legal project location must refer to the same site. - Access that cannot carry the rig and support vehicles
Width, turning space, slope, bridges, overhead lines and wet-ground conditions matter. - Permits assumed rather than confirmed
Required approvals and the responsible applicant should be settled before mobilisation. - Changing the water demand after equipment selection
A major demand change can alter pumping, storage and power requirements.
Mobilisation readiness check
Before confirming a drilling date:
This checklist is a planning aid. Hamiki’s project-specific mobilisation checklist and signed scope govern the work.
Process questions
Answers before you commit.
Can drilling start without a survey?
A site-specific hydrogeological investigation is the responsible starting point for a new borehole. It helps select a target and recommended construction approach, but it cannot guarantee water or an exact yield.
Why is the final depth not fixed in advance?
The survey provides a target and planning range. Actual formations and water strikes are confirmed during drilling, so the agreed contract must explain how depth and variations are handled.
When is the pump selected?
Final pump selection should follow test-pumping results and confirmation of delivery head, daily demand, storage and power source.
Who handles permits?
Responsibility must be stated in the quotation or contract. Hamiki can provide or coordinate support where included, while applicant documents, official fees and approvals may remain the client’s responsibility.
Does a successful water strike mean the water is safe to drink?
No. Yield and quality are different questions. Water intended for domestic use should be sampled, tested and interpreted for its intended purpose before consumption.
What if an existing borehole performs poorly?
Start with records and symptoms. Test pumping, electrical checks, pump inspection or downhole camera work may identify whether the issue is the aquifer, borehole construction, deposits, pump or delivery system.
Your stage may be different
Tell us where the project stands today.
New site, existing survey, drilled borehole or underperforming system—we will identify the next defensible step.