Before You Drill a Borewell, Understand These Pipe Basics

Borewell system showing casing, screen, column and delivery pipes.

Drilling a borewell is a major investment for a farmer, homeowner, builder or small business. The total cost may include drilling, casing, a submersible pump, electrical work, transport and installation.

But one wrong pipe choice can create serious problems.

If the casing pipe is unsuitable for the bore depth or ground condition, the bore may become unstable. If the internal diameter is too small, the pump may not move freely. If the screen section is placed incorrectly, sand entry or poor water flow may become an issue.

That is why buyers should not choose a borewell pipe only by price, colour or weight.

Before placing an order, it helps to understand what each pipe does and how the complete system works.

A Borewell Uses More Than One Type of Pipe

People often use the term “borewell pipe” for every pipe connected with a borewell. In reality, different pipes perform different jobs.

A complete borewell installation may include:

• Plain casing pipe
• Slotted screen pipe
• Column pipe
• Delivery pipe
• Borewell cover

Understanding these parts helps prevent confusion while speaking with a contractor, dealer or pump supplier.

What Is a Plain Casing Pipe?

A plain casing pipe is installed inside the drilled hole.

Its main job is to support loose soil, gravel or unstable ground formations. Without proper casing, material from the side of the bore may fall inside and create blockage or damage.

The casing also provides a clear path for lowering the submersible pump.

A suitable casing pipe should be selected according to the bore depth, drilled diameter, ground condition and installation method.

What Is a Slotted Screen Pipe?

A slotted screen pipe contains carefully designed openings that allow groundwater to enter the bore.

The screen section is normally installed across the water-bearing zone. Its placement should not be random.

If screen pipe is installed through loose or non-productive layers, excess sand may enter the bore. If it is placed away from the water-bearing formation, water entry may remain limited.

A drilling log and local groundwater information can help decide the correct screen location.

What Is a Column Pipe?

A column pipe connects the submersible pump to the surface.

It carries pumped water upwards and supports the suspended pump assembly. The pipe may also experience load from the water column, pump weight and starting torque.

This is why a column pipe should be selected according to:

• Installation depth
• Pump weight
• Pump outlet size
• Operating head
• Thread strength
• Water quality
• Retrieval requirements

A casing pipe and a column pipe are not interchangeable.

The casing pipe protects the bore. The column pipe supports the pump and carries water.

What Is a Delivery Pipe?

A delivery pipe carries water from the borewell to the point of use.

It may connect the wellhead to:

• A storage tank
• A farm irrigation line
• A house
• A commercial building
• A distribution system

The delivery pipe should be selected according to flow requirement, pressure, distance and route.

Borewell Pipe and Casing Pipe Are Not the Same

“Borewell pipe” is a broad market term.

“Casing pipe” describes a specific product used to support and protect the drilled bore.

A buyer may ask for a 2-inch borewell pipe, but the actual requirement may include:

• A 6-inch casing pipe
• A 2-inch column pipe
• A separate delivery line
• Slotted screen pipe for the water-bearing zone

All these products belong to the same borewell project, but they perform different functions.

A simple way to avoid mistakes is to mention the application while asking for a quotation.

For example:

• 6-inch casing pipe
• 2-inch column pipe
• 2-inch delivery pipe
• Slotted screen pipe

This makes the enquiry much clearer.

Borewell and Tubewell: What Is the Difference?

A borewell is commonly drilled into hard or weathered rock. Water usually enters through cracks, fractures or water-bearing rock zones.

A tubewell is commonly constructed in sand, gravel, silt or other alluvial formations. It often uses planned casing and screen sections to collect groundwater.

However, local terminology can vary.

In some regions, contractors use “borewell” and “tubewell” for similar installations. The more reliable difference comes from the ground formation, drilling method and pipe arrangement.

Before drilling, you should confirm:

• Local geology
• Expected water level
• Drilling method
• Casing requirement
• Screen requirement
• Pump type

The name alone does not explain the complete design.

How Do You Choose the Correct Pipe Size?

The correct pipe size depends on the bore diameter, pump size, expected water discharge and application.

Common sizes such as 1.5 inch, 2 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch may refer to different products.

Smaller sizes are often used for column or delivery pipes, while larger sizes may be used for casing. But this can change according to the product series and borewell design.

Before buying, check:

1. Actual outer diameter
2. Minimum internal diameter
3. Wall thickness
4. Socket or threaded-end restriction
5. Pump’s maximum outer diameter
6. Space required for the electrical cable

A pump described as a 4-inch pump may not fit safely inside every pipe sold under a similar size name.

Always compare actual dimensions instead of relying only on the inch label.

Why Does Borewell Pipe Length Matter?

Many buyers calculate the required quantity using only the overall length of each pipe.

But part of a threaded or socketed pipe enters the next piece. This means the effective installed length may be slightly lower than the total of all pipe lengths.

You should calculate these separately:

• Plain casing requirement
• Slotted screen requirement
• Column pipe requirement
• Delivery pipe requirement
• Spare quantity for site changes

Longer pipes may reduce the number of joints, but they can be harder to transport and handle at restricted residential sites.

A written quantity calculation helps avoid shortage during installation.

Why Do Borewell Pipe Prices Vary?

Two pipes with the same size may have different prices because their specifications may not be the same.

Price can depend on:

• Diameter
• Wall thickness
• Material
• Product series
• Plain or slotted construction
• Pipe length
• Thread and socket qualityApplicable standard
• Order quantity
• Dealer location
• GST
• Transport and unloading

That is why price per piece alone can be misleading.

A proper quotation should clearly mention:

• Pipe type
• Size
• Series
• Length
• Quantity
• Tax
• Freight
• Delivery location

Current rates may also change because of raw-material and transportation costs.

Which Casing Pipe Is Best?

There is no single casing pipe that is best for every borewell.

The right choice depends on:

• Bore depth
• Drilled diameter
• Ground formation
• Required casing depth
• Water-bearing zone
• Plain or screen-pipe requirement
• Wall thickness
• Joint design
• Product marking
• Manufacturer specifications

For uPVC casing systems, buyers should check the applicable product standard and the manufacturer’s technical details.

A heavier-looking pipe is not automatically better. The correct specification matters more than appearance.

One practical rule is useful: do not finalise the casing before checking the pump and bore dimensions together.

Common Mistakes Buyers Should Avoid

Many borewell problems begin with small purchasing mistakes.

Common errors include:

• Buying only by the lowest price
• Using ordinary plumbing pipe as casing
• Choosing the pump after casing installation
• Comparing pipes without checking length
• Installing screen pipe without a drilling log
• Forcing threaded joints
• Mixing incompatible pipe series
• Confusing casing pipe with column pipe
• Ignoring delivery and unloading costs

Most of these issues can be reduced by sharing complete project details with the supplier before placing the order.

What Should You Confirm Before Buying?

Before ordering any borewell pipe, keep these details ready:

• Bore depth
• Finished bore diameter
• Soil or rock formation
• Pump model
• Pump outer diameter
• Pump outlet size
• Casing depth
• Screen location
• Pipe length
• Joint type
• Delivery location

The contractor, pump supplier and pipe dealer should work with the same information.

That simple coordination can prevent an incorrect order.

Final Thoughts

A borewell pipe is not just another plumbing item. It is part of a complete underground water system.

The casing pipe, screen pipe, column pipe and delivery pipe each perform a separate job. Choosing the right product means matching the pipe with the bore depth, diameter, formation and pump.

Before drilling starts, discuss the complete pipe and pump arrangement with your contractor and supplier.

A clear plan at the beginning can help avoid expensive corrections later.

For detailed technical specifications and available uPVC casing options, readers can refer to the manufacturer’s official product information.