Not all borehole water is safe to drink without treatment. A water quality test tells you exactly what is in the water — and what, if anything, needs to be done before you use it for drinking, cooking, or livestock.
South African groundwater quality varies widely by aquifer type and the surrounding geology. Iron and manganese are common in many areas and can make water taste and smell unpleasant without posing a health risk. Nitrates, coliform bacteria, and certain minerals are more serious concerns that require treatment before the water is used for drinking or food preparation.
A basic water quality test covers the most common parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, iron, manganese, nitrates, and coliform bacteria. For drinking water applications we always recommend at minimum this basic test before the water is used. Results are typically returned within five to seven working days from an accredited laboratory.
