Desktop review
Before we arrive, we look at what is known about the local geology and existing boreholes in the area.
Drilling and Investigation
Know where to drill before you drill.
Groundwater cannot be seen from the surface. A geophysical survey lets our geoscience team read the layers beneath your land, identify promising water-bearing zones and recommend the best point to drill.
What we do
- Desktop review of local geology and nearby boreholes
- Field measurements on your site using electrical resistivity methods such as vertical electrical sounding (VES)
- Interpretation of the readings by our geoscience team
- A recommended drilling point and the depth range to expect
- A plain-language report you can keep and share
When you need a survey
- You are drilling on land you do not know well
- A borehole nearby failed or gives a poor yield
- A farm or estate needs several boreholes and you want the best points
- A failed borehole would be costly, such as on an industrial or institutional site
- Someone has offered to drill for you without a survey
How it works
One accountable team from the first call to the day the water flows, and after.
Field survey
Our team takes resistivity readings across your site to build a picture of the layers below.
Interpretation
Our geoscientists interpret the readings to estimate where the water-bearing zones are and at what depth.
Recommendation
You receive a report with the recommended drilling point, the expected depth range and our reasoning.
Why survey with Onyx
Our surveys are led by geoscientists and checked against what we actually find when we drill. More than 1,986 boreholes have given us a large record of how survey readings compare with the ground beneath them, and that experience goes into every recommendation we make.
1,986+Boreholes drilled
1,579+Residential
289+Agricultural
118+Industrial
Frequently asked questions
What is a geophysical survey?
It is a set of measurements of the ground's physical properties. Our geoscientists interpret the results to estimate the layers beneath your site and where water is most likely to be found.
What is a VES survey?
Vertical electrical sounding (VES) measures how strongly the ground resists an electric current at increasing depths. Water-bearing layers respond differently from dry rock and clay, which helps us estimate where water is likely to be and how deep.
Does a survey guarantee I will find water?
No survey can guarantee water. It reduces the risk of drilling in the wrong place and helps us recommend the best point and the expected depth range.
My neighbour has a borehole. Do I still need a survey?
A neighbour's success is a good sign, but ground conditions can change between plots. A survey on your own land is still the safest way to choose your drilling point.
What will I receive?
A straightforward report that recommends where to drill, what depth range to expect and why.
How long does the survey take?
A single residential site is usually covered in a short field visit. Larger farms and estates take longer, and we will tell you what to expect when we book it.
Can I use the report with another driller?
Yes. The report is yours. It records the recommended point, the expected depth range and the reasoning behind them.
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Maintenance
Borehole MaintenanceHave a water project in mind?
Talk to our team about surveys, drilling, pumps or a complete water system. We will give you honest advice and a clear quote.