Funding a borehole: the differences between a well and a borehole
In brief
- A traditional well is a wide, shallow hole that collects surface water and seepage. A borehole is a narrow, deep structure that reaches underground aquifers.
- The crucial difference: a well depends on rain and the seasons, while a borehole gives a steady flow even in the dry season.
- On health, a borehole draws water that is naturally better protected from surface contamination, whereas a shallow well stays exposed to run-off and livestock.
- A borehole costs more to build and needs machinery and expertise, but it serves more people and lasts longer.
- At LIFE, a village well is dug to around 20 metres and fitted with a pump: it serves around 500 people for €2,650 in Africa.
In everyday language, we call them all "wells". On the ground, though, the distinction between a traditional well and a borehole changes everything: how much water is available, how safe it is, and whether the village can make it through the dry season. Here is what sets them apart, explained simply.
What is a traditional well?
A traditional well is the classic picture: a wide hole, often around one metre across, dug by hand or with small machines. It is fairly shallow, usually between 5 and 25 metres deep.
The key thing to understand is how it works: it doesn't go looking for water, it waits for it. The well fills by seepage, as rainwater passes through the top layers of soil and collects in the hole, and from the surrounding surface water.
This brings two major limitations. First, it only works on permeable ground: on soil that doesn't let water soak through, it will never fill properly. Second, and above all, it depends entirely on the seasons. In the rainy season, water is plentiful. In the dry season, it becomes scarce or disappears altogether. Exactly when the village needs it most.
The health problem with shallow wells
Because it collects surface water and shallow seepage, a traditional well stays exposed to run-off, livestock and open defecation nearby. This is precisely how waterborne diseases spread. Our article Water and health: how access to water reduces childhood illness explains this in detail.
What is a borehole?
A borehole is the opposite of a well in almost every respect. Where a well is wide and shallow, a borehole is narrow and deep. Where a well waits for water, a borehole goes and finds it.
Technically, a specialist rig drills down until it reaches an underground aquifer, often between 25 and 80 metres deep, sometimes much deeper depending on the geology. A casing is then inserted to protect the shaft and filter the water, and a pump is installed to bring it to the surface.
The benefits are immediate. The flow is much greater and, above all, steady, even during the dry season, because a deep aquifer doesn't empty with the rhythm of the rains. And the water it draws is naturally better protected from surface contamination.
There is one special, rarer case: the artesian well, where the aquifer is under natural pressure. The water rises to the surface on its own, with no pumping. This depends entirely on the local geology and can't be chosen.
Well or borehole: side by side
To make things clear, here are the differences at a glance.
| Criterion | Traditional well | Borehole |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | Around 5 to 25 m | 25 to 80 m, sometimes much deeper |
| Diameter | Wide (around 1 m) | Narrow |
| Water source | Surface water and seepage | Deep underground aquifer |
| Flow | Low and variable | High and steady |
| Dry season | Runs low or dries up | Keeps working |
| Health protection | Exposed to run-off | Better protected |
| Construction | By hand or with simple machines | Specialist machinery and expertise |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Beneficiaries | A few families | A whole village |
This table shows why serious humanitarian projects overwhelmingly favour boreholes, despite the higher cost. It isn't about spending more for the sake of it, but about building something that will last and see the village through the dry seasons.
Why do humanitarian projects choose boreholes?
There are three reasons, and they make perfect sense from inside a village.
1. Drought is unforgiving. A water point that dries up in the dry season solves nothing: it sends families back to walking for hours, at the very worst time of year. A borehole holds out. That is crucial as climate change makes droughts more severe. Our article Drought in Africa: causes, consequences and lasting solutions explores this further.
2. The number of people served. A low flow serves a few families. A high, steady flow serves a whole village. Measured per person, a borehole is far more cost-effective, even though each one costs more.
3. Health. Drawing from a deep aquifer rather than surface water removes much of the risk of faecal contamination at source, the main cause of waterborne disease in children.
How LIFE works in practice
LIFE's water programme follows this approach. The village well is dug to around 20 metres and fitted with a mechanical or electric pump. It serves around 500 people.
The specification covers the whole technical process: a soil survey by a geologist to locate the aquifer, drilling, casing to protect and filter, pump installation, a concrete apron to prevent contamination, laboratory testing to confirm the water is safe to drink, and training a village management committee to look after it.
Funding is €2,650 in Africa and €2,300 in Asia, on the principle of a single, fair price. After 66% French tax relief, a well in Africa actually costs around €901. For the budget in detail, our article How much does a well in Africa cost? breaks down every item, and for how the work unfolds, our article Building a well in Africa: steps, costs and real impact follows the 7 stages.
What really decides it
The technique must suit the terrain, not the other way round. That is the purpose of the preliminary geological survey: depending on the depth of the aquifer, the type of soil and the number of residents, the team chooses the most lasting solution. A serious organisation will never sell you a standard technique without first studying the site.
Would you like to fund a lasting water point in Africa?
Discover LIFE's water programme: €2,650 for a water point serving around 500 people, or €901 after French tax relief. GPS tracking, photos and a keepsake booklet. Our donor relations team is here to help.
Discover the water programme →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a well and a borehole?
A traditional well is a wide, shallow hole (around 5 to 25 m) that collects surface water and rain seepage. A borehole is a narrow, deep structure (25 to 80 m, sometimes deeper) that reaches an underground aquifer. A borehole gives a steady flow even in the dry season, whereas a well depends on the rains.
Why does a borehole cost more than a well?
Because it requires specialist machinery, technical expertise and more time to drill deeper. But measured against the number of people served and its lifespan, it often works out cheaper per person, while providing safer water all year round.
Does a borehole provide safer water?
Yes, generally. A borehole draws from a deep underground aquifer, naturally better protected from surface contamination. A shallow well stays exposed to run-off, livestock and open defecation, the main causes of waterborne disease. In both cases, laboratory testing of the water's safety remains essential.
What is an artesian well?
It is a special type of borehole that reaches an aquifer under natural pressure. The water rises to the surface on its own, with no need for pumping. This is rare and depends entirely on the local geology: it can't be chosen, only discovered during the site survey.
What solution does LIFE provide?
A village well dug to around 20 metres and fitted with a mechanical or electric pump, serving around 500 people. The specification includes the geological survey, drilling, casing, pump, apron, water safety testing and training a village management committee. Cost: €2,650 in Africa, or around €901 after French tax relief.
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