Borehole Drilling in Johannesburg
What we could source about borehole drilling in Johannesburg: geology, typical depths, price guidance, permit rules and the drilling companies listed there from public information. It is a guide, not advice for your plot.
Last reviewed . Prices and depths are indications from the sources listed at the foot of the page.
Borehole drilling prices in Johannesburg
Indicative project price
R55,000 to R130,000
R350 to R650 per metre. The same guide says a dolomite stability assessment adds R5,000 to R15,000 in high-risk areas. Another guide puts a typical Johannesburg or Pretoria residential system at R60,000 to R100,000 all-in.
Typical drilling depth
40 to 120 m
From one price guide. Another puts most Gauteng residential boreholes at 80 to 120 m. Your driller sets the depth from the survey.
Water level
No published figure
We found no published per-city figure. The DWS National Groundwater Archive holds borehole water-level records (free registration on the DWS website), but we have not extracted city figures. Depth to water varies within a single suburb, so ask for the survey's expected water level.
Listed companies
21
From public information, none verified by us.
Depths and water levels here are indicative ranges from regional geology and published guides, not predictions for your plot. They vary widely within a suburb and with season and pumping. Only a site survey and the driller's log can tell you what your plot will give, and a borehole can be dry.
Prices come from published price guides, not from quotes. The main guide does not say whether its per-metre rates include casing, VAT or mobilisation, and a fully equipped system (pump, tank and installation) costs more than a drilled and cased hole. Ask for written quotes that say what is included.
Borehole drilling companies in Johannesburg (21)
These companies come from public Google business listings and company websites that we checked. We have not inspected, verified or endorsed any of them, and a listing says nothing about their registration, insurance or workmanship. Check the company yourself before you hire. Ratings are Google ratings, early 2026, and the list is sorted by rating weighted by number of reviews.
Monsoon Irrigation & Boreholes
Shop G10, Hobart Grove Shopping Centre, Hobart Rd, Bryanston, Johannesburg, 2197, South Africa
4.4 out of 5
197 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Wellex Drilling
Unit 01, Bruton Office Park, 18 Bruton Rd, Bryanston, Randburg, 2171, South Africa
4.8 out of 5
23 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Africa's Quikgrow Irrigation and Borehole
364 Pretoria Ave, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194, South Africa
4.3 out of 5
26 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Drill Direct
86 Albertina Sisulu Rd, Homestead Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
3.8 out of 5
22 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
SPEEDY DRILLING
367 Highland Rd, Kensington, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
5 out of 5
8 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
JB Boreholes
27 Taaibos St, Noordwyk, Midrand, 1687, South Africa
4.9 out of 5
8 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Borehole Africa
43 Durham St, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
4.6 out of 5
9 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Borehole Drilling and Pump Services
Unit 74, Trevallyn Industrial Park, 95 Hyskraan Cl, Kya Sand, Johannesburg, 2169, South Africa
4.5 out of 5
8 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Aqua and Earth Drilling (Pty) Ltd
214 Martha Rd, Fontainebleau, Randburg, 2194, South Africa
4.8 out of 5
6 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Rostruct Drilling and Grouting
INDUSTRIAL. PARK, 39 3rd St, Commercia, Midrand, 1685, South Africa
4.8 out of 5
5 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Water Pump Technology
163 Oak Ave, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194, South Africa
4.2 out of 5
6 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Hardrock Drilling
59 School Rd, Blue Hills AH, Midrand, 1685, South Africa
3.7 out of 5
7 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Borehole and irrigation systems
9 Epsilon Pl, Glenesk, Johannesburg, 2190, South Africa
4.5 out of 5
4 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Oneway Irrigation - Boreholes & Water Backup
111 Market St, Johannesburg North, Johannesburg, 2191, South Africa
5 out of 5
3 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Tswelopele Drilling Solutions (Pty) Ltd
45 Richard Rd, Industria North, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa
4.7 out of 5
3 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Osmo Pumps & Drilling Co
22 Beyers Naude Dve, Honeydew, Roodepoort, 2170, South Africa
3.8 out of 5
4 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Mzansi boreholes Pumps Services
192, 2 Maple Rd, Khayalami AH, Midrand, 1684, South Africa
5 out of 5
1 review
Google rating, early 2026
Best Boreholes
38 Hans Schoeman St, Malanshof, Randburg, 1700, South Africa
3 out of 5
2 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
TSUBIES BOREHOLE DRILLING
Cnr R55 &, Kyalami Corner Shopping Centre, Main Rd, Witpoort, Midrand, 1684, South Africa
No Google rating
Borehole Drilling Solutions Johannesburg
675 Old Pretoria Rd, Halfway House Estate, Midrand, 1682, South Africa
No Google rating
IMF 3 Borehole Drilling Sandton
11 Maree St, Bramley Park, Sandton, 1401, South Africa
No Google rating
Listed nearby, in other municipalities (19)
These companies work in the Johannesburg area but their address is in a different municipality, so the borehole rules above may not be the ones that apply to them or to your plot. Check with the municipality where the borehole will be drilled.
Tomahawk Borehole Drilling
34 Koolfontein, Meyerton, 1960, South Africa
Midvaal
4.8 out of 5
97 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
HC Water Solutions and Projects PTY Ltd
127 Rienert Ave, Edleen, Kempton Park, 1619, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.8 out of 5
61 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Topline Borehole & Irrigation
99 Elm Rd, Benoni AH, Benoni, 1501, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.3 out of 5
56 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Africa H2o (Pty) Ltd
62 1st Ave, Dunvegan, Edenvale, 1909, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.9 out of 5
14 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
EDRS
Plot 59 Elandsdrift, Krugersdorp, 1738, South Africa
Mogale City
4.7 out of 5
12 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Delmah borehole drilling & installations
calvinia rd brentwood park bentwoodpark, Benoni North AH, Benoni, 1501, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.6 out of 5
11 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
The Water Warriors SA
235 Delphinium St, Brackendowns, Alberton, 1447, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.6 out of 5
10 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
ADAPT DRILLING
1 Ratchet St, Boltonia, Krugersdorp, 1739, South Africa
Mogale City
4.3 out of 5
12 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Optima africa boreholes
17 Meeu Rd, Birch Acres, Kempton Park, 1618, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
3.5 out of 5
19 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
Kayeworx Drilling
11 Hoogstede Rd, Sunward Park, Boksburg, 1459, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.8 out of 5
6 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
iWater Management
Unit B2, 3 Dakota Cres, Airport Park, Germiston, 1401, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
4.8 out of 5
5 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
CD Drilling
Plot 157 Mountain View Dr, Krugersdorp, South Africa
Mogale City
4 out of 5
4 reviews
Google rating, early 2026
TNT Borehole Drilling
61 Vlei Rd, Rynfield, Benoni, 1501, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
5 out of 5
1 review
Google rating, early 2026
MG Drilling and Borehole Solutions (PTY) Ltd
16 Joan Rd, Heuningklip, Krugersdorp, 1739, South Africa
Mogale City
5 out of 5
1 review
Google rating, early 2026
HB Drilling
26 Piet Retief Ave, Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp, 1732, South Africa
Mogale City
5 out of 5
1 review
Google rating, early 2026
Borehole Services
41 Keurboom Rd, meyerton, Meyerton, 1961, South Africa
Midvaal
5 out of 5
1 review
Google rating, early 2026
SA Drillers
7 Klipmossie Cres, Birch Acres, Kempton Park, 1685, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
No Google rating
Even Borehole Drilling Benoni
79 4th Ave, Northmead, Benoni, 1501, South Africa
Ekurhuleni
No Google rating
Aqua Geo
103 1ste St, Rant-En-Dal, Krugersdorp, 1751, South Africa
Mogale City
No Google rating
Geology and drilling conditions in Johannesburg
Greater Johannesburg sits on three very different aquifers. Karstic dolomite (Chuniespoort Group) occurs in parts of the north and west, where some boreholes are high-yielding but dry holes and sinkhole risk are real. Weathered and fractured Witwatersrand and Ventersdorp rocks cover much of the central metro. Granite-gneiss of the Johannesburg Dome underlies the northern half of the dome and typically gives low yields. A study of the Johannesburg area reports yields of 0.01 to 0.98 L/s in poorly drained crystalline aquifers, 1 to 14.6 L/s in weathered and fractured aquifers and 15 to 124 L/s in dolomitic aquifers. A dry or low-yield borehole is a real risk, and results differ from plot to plot.
This is a regional picture. Which rock your plot is on, and what it will yield, only a site survey and test drilling can show.
Borehole water quality in Johannesburg
The DWS Johannesburg map brochure says dolomitic aquifers are especially vulnerable to pollution, with high nitrate introduced through pit latrines in informal settlements, cattle kraals, sewage plant effluent and heavy fertiliser use, and that mining's contribution to water-quality degradation is substantial. Test for E. coli and nitrate first, and add sulphate and total dissolved solids if mining is nearby.
SANS 241 tests to ask for first in Gauteng
- E. coli: not detected in 100 mL (acute health)
- Nitrate: 11 mg/L as N or less (acute health)
- Sulphate: 500 mg/L (acute health) and 250 mg/L (aesthetic)
- Total dissolved solids: 1,200 mg/L or less (aesthetic)
Whatever the province, the baseline checks are E. coli, nitrate, pH and total dissolved solids. Only a lab test tells you what your water holds.
Water quality guide · Is borehole water safe to drink? · Water filters and treatment
Borehole permits and rules in Johannesburg
The City of Johannesburg runs a borehole application process through its Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (new process from 1 October 2025). The application needs a geophysical survey report, and the City says it aims to decide within 14 working days once payment is made. Drilling certificates must be kept on site during drilling, and quarterly meter readings go to the City afterwards. Press coverage reports that the City requires written consent before you drill and may restrict drilling in dolomitic areas; we could not confirm the dolomite point on the City's own pages. Under the National Water Act, taking borehole water for reasonable domestic use on your own property is a Schedule 1 use: no water use licence and, according to DWS, no national registration. Other uses can fall under the General Authorisation or need a licence. Municipal by-laws still apply on top of this. Contact the City before you drill: [email protected] or 011 082 7970.
Rules change and we are not your lawyer. Check the municipality's current process before you drill.
Read the permits and regulations guide →Questions to ask before you hire
- 1Can I have a written quote that says what is included: siting survey, drilling per metre, casing, yield test, pump, tank, VAT and any minimum charge?
- 2What happens if the borehole is dry or yields very little? Is there a minimum charge, and is it in writing?
- 3Who does the siting survey, and is it a SACNASP-registered hydrogeologist or geophysicist?
- 4Can I speak to recent customers, and can I see a driller's log or completion report from a recent job?
- 5Does the company belong to the Borehole Water Association of Southern Africa, and does it follow SANS 10299 (design, construction and drilling of boreholes)?
- 6Will you do a yield test (test pumping), how long will it run, and will I get the results?
- 7How will you handle my municipality's rules, and do you submit borehole data to the DWS National Groundwater Archive?
- 8Which laboratory will test the water against SANS 241, and will the results come to me?
- 9Do you carry public liability insurance, and can you show proof? Is there a written guarantee on workmanship, and what does it cover?
Pump installation, water filtration and equipping are usually quoted separately from drilling.
Areas this page covers (City of Johannesburg)
Nearby places with their own rules
These areas are in Ekurhuleni or Tshwane, or sit on a municipal boundary (check Midrand with the municipality), so their borehole rules differ from Johannesburg's. In Ekurhuleni the City's Water By-laws make permission mandatory before any drilling, and applications go to its City Planning Department's Dolomite Section.
Borehole drilling in other cities
Borehole drilling Pretoria
Gauteng · 15 listed companies
Borehole drilling Cape Town
Western Cape · 29 listed companies
Borehole drilling Thohoyandou
Limpopo · 10 listed companies
Borehole drilling Gqeberha
Eastern Cape · 6 listed companies
Borehole drilling Polokwane
Limpopo · 5 listed companies
Borehole drilling Durban
KwaZulu-Natal · 5 listed companies
Sources
- OurPower borehole drilling cost guide, city table (updated 1 October 2026) (city totals, per-metre rates and typical depths; a price-guide page, not quotes)
- Waterpoint SA: borehole drilling in Gauteng, cost, yield and suburb guide (all-in residential price and typical Gauteng depth)
- DWS Johannesburg hydrogeological map brochure (1:500 000) (aquifer types, yield classes, dolomite, nitrate, mining and control areas)
- Abiye, Mengistu and Demlie: groundwater resource in the crystalline rocks of the Johannesburg area (Johannesburg borehole yields by aquifer type)
- City of Johannesburg: new borehole application process (27 August 2025) (process from 1 October 2025, 14 working days, drilling certificates)
- City of Johannesburg: borehole application process flow (from 1 October 2025) (documents required, geophysical survey report, quarterly meter readings)
- City of Ekurhuleni: application process for installing a borehole (27 February 2025) (permission before drilling, Dolomite Section)
- IOL, 18 May 2026: boreholes in South Africa, legal pitfalls every homeowner should know (news report: municipal rules in several cities)
- National Water Act 36 of 1998, DWS copy (Schedule 1) (reasonable domestic use and by-laws)
- Rekord, 22 July 2026: borehole registration not required for domestic use, department confirms (news report: DWS statement and Tshwane requirements)
- SANS 241-1:2015 drinking water limits (laboratory transcription) (limits quoted on this page)
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