Borehole Drilling
HighWater owns and operates two modern, track-mounted Fraste Multidrill XL borehole drilling rigs along with two state-of-the-art Atlas Copco Turboscrew compressors. Our drilling rigs are capable of installing steel casing to depths of over 60m through the superficial deposits overlying bedrock, and can drill in bedrock up to 200m.
Our borehole construction methodology is consistent with the SEPA’s relevant Guide for Good Practice.
We are members of the British Drilling Association.
We will always undertake a site survey to establish the most suitable location for drilling the borehole. The site survey will take into consideration an assessment of the likely subsurface geological conditions together with practical constraints, such as ensuring sufficient separation from any waste water systems. If appropriate we can obtain a site specific “Borehole Prognosis Report” from the British Geological Survey (BGS) on your behalf.
HighWater will advise the BGS prior to drilling and will submit a drilling report upon completion.
Water divining (also known as dowsing) is still a widespread practice in the drilling industry for establishing where to drill a drinking water borehole and forecasting drilling depths and borehole yields. However, our data for boreholes we have drilled over the last 10 years indicates that such surveys do not make any difference to the chances of a successful outcome. We do not typically use water diviners although we can arrange for a divining survey if requested.
Natural Springs
HighWater has successfully located and developed many natural spring supplies to serve individual properties, communities, estates, campsites and water bottling plants. A suitably located natural spring can provide the best source for a private water supply, since they usually combine reliability with good water quality and can often provide a gravity-fed supply to the property thereby reducing the costs associated with pumped systems. Please contact us if you require a spring catchment chamber and associated downstream infrastructure to be installed or upgraded.
Shallow Wells
Shallow dug wells are usually formed using a large excavator capable of digging a hole a few metres deep in the sedimentary deposits overlying bedrock. Once dug, the hole is usually lined with concrete rings for stability. This type of well relies on near surface groundwater entering the well from the sedimentary deposits (i.e. sands and gravels) overlying bedrock. A submersible pump is usually installed in the well to provide the supply to the properties to be served, usually via water treatment and intermediate storage. The feasibility of establishing a shallow dug well depends on local geological conditions. Water quality from a dug well is usually not as good as would be expected from a borehole water well or natural spring source, although it would usually be expected to be better than that from a surface water supply.
Surface Water
Surface water sources such as streams, rivers and lochs are usually not the preferred candidates for a private water supply. Water quality is usually poor, and they are generally less reliable being prone to problems caused by freezing, blockages and droughts. Nonetheless, if other options have been explored and are not viable, HighWater can assist with establishing a private water supply using a surface water source, including supply and installation of all of the necessary pumping, storage and water treatment equipment.
Wind Farm Operator
"I just wanted to say thanks for the assistance you and your colleagues provided for us today at Mid Hill. Appreciate greatly the swift attendance and the work to rectify the issue we had here."