Tell us your goal
Drinking-water safety, a land purchase, a farm plan or a building project each need different checks, so we start with what you are trying to decide.
Drilling and Investigation
Understand your ground and your water.
Whether you are planning a borehole, a farm or a new building, decisions made without knowing the ground and the water beneath it are expensive to correct. We give you the facts first, and we test water ourselves rather than sending it elsewhere.
What we do
- Site walkover and review of local ground and drainage conditions
- Soil and near-surface assessment relevant to your project
- Groundwater level checks and a review of nearby boreholes and wells
- Water sampling and quality testing carried out by our own team
- Testing of existing boreholes, wells and stored water
- A plain-language report on what the findings mean for your plans
When this service helps
- You want to know whether your borehole or well water is safe to drink
- Your water has a smell, colour or taste, or leaves stains on tanks and clothes
- You are buying land and want to know what water lies beneath it
- You are planning a farm and need to understand both the soil and the water
- You are planning a building or estate and want to understand the ground first
How it works
One accountable team from the first call to the day the water flows, and after.
Visit the site
We walk the site, look at the ground and at nearby boreholes and wells, and collect water samples correctly.
Test
We carry out the water quality tests ourselves and record what we observe about the soil and groundwater.
Report and advise
You get a clear summary, what it means for your project and what to do next, such as treatment, a geophysical survey or drilling.
Why test with Onyx
We do the sampling and testing ourselves, so the people who collected your sample are the same people who explain the results. Because we also drill, repair and install, our advice is practical: if the water needs treatment, or the ground changes how a borehole should be designed, we tell you what to do about it.
1,986+Boreholes drilled
1,579+Residential
289+Agricultural
118+Industrial
Frequently asked questions
Can you test my water quality?
Yes. We sample and test water ourselves, from new boreholes, existing boreholes, wells and storage tanks. Testing is strongly advised before any water is used for drinking.
What are the signs my water may have a problem?
A metallic or rotten-egg smell, a brown or cloudy colour, an unusual taste, or orange or black stains on sinks, tanks and clothes are all reasons to test. Some problems have no visible sign at all, so testing is the only way to be sure.
Should I collect the sample myself?
It is best to let us collect it. How and where a sample is taken affects the result, so our team takes it directly from the source.
Can bad water be treated?
Often, yes. The right treatment depends on what the test finds. Once we have the results, we explain the options in plain language.
How is this different from a geophysical survey?
A geophysical survey measures the ground to locate likely water-bearing zones before drilling. A water survey and soil test looks at site conditions, groundwater, soil and water quality. Many clients use both.
Do I need soil testing for a borehole?
It is most useful when the ground affects your plans, such as on farms or construction sites. It helps us advise on siting, casing and other decisions.
Do I get a written report?
Yes. You receive a clear summary of the findings and what they mean for your project.
Related services
Most projects combine more than one service. We can deliver them together, so you deal with one team.
Geophysical Survey
Resistivity (VES) surveys that find the best drilling point before the rig moves in.
Learn moreBorehole Drilling
Boreholes for homes, farms and industry, sited by survey and drilled properly the first time.
Learn moreBorehole Maintenance
Inspection, repair and rehabilitation of boreholes and pumps, including ones we did not drill.
Learn moreAll our services
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.