Finding Water Through Data, Not Guesswork
Groundwater Works was built on a simple observation: most borehole failures aren't drilling failures, they're siting failures. A rig can be perfectly capable and still hit nothing, because the decision of where to drill was made on guesswork, local folklore, or "the last borehole nearby worked, so this one should too." We take a different approach. Before any drilling recommendation is made, we bring together satellite radar imagery, geological structure mapping, and on-the-ground field verification to identify where groundwater is actually likely to be, not where it's convenient to guess.
Our Background
Groundwater Works is run by our lead data scientist and researcher with a background spanning health data science, geospatial analysis, and applied field research across East Africa. Before focusing on groundwater work, they worked on quantitative research projects in maternal and child health, and has led fieldwork requiring the same rigor now applied to borehole siting: careful data collection, spatial analysis, and decisions backed by evidence rather than assumption. This background shapes how we work. Every site assessment draws on:
- Geospatial analysis training - applying GIS methods (fracture density mapping, lineament analysis, groundwater potential scoring) that are standard in hydrogeological research but rarely used by small-scale drilling operators in Kenya
- Satellite data interpretation - using Sentinel-1A SAR imagery to detect subsurface structural patterns before a single hole is dug
- Field survey discipline - years of hands-on fieldwork experience, including GPS-referenced boundary surveys and site documentation, carried over from prior research work in Kajiado County and beyond
The result is a siting process closer to what you'd expect from a research team than a typical drilling contractor quote.
1. Remote Analysis
We start before ever visiting the site — analyzing satellite imagery and existing geological data to shortlist high-potential zones on your land.
2. Field Verification
We visit in person to verify findings, check parcel boundaries, and refine the recommended drill point using GPS-based survey methods.
3. Documented Recommendation
You receive a clear report: recommended site, supporting maps, and reasoning — so you (or your driller) know exactly why that location was chosen, not just where to dig.
Why This Matters to You
Drilling is expensive, and a dry or low-yield borehole doesn't just cost you money, it costs you time you may not get back, especially for agricultural or commercial projects on a timeline. Our goal is to shift that risk earlier in the process, where a few days of analysis can save weeks of drilling regret.
Have land you're considering for a borehole?