How do you calculate borewell water capacity?

Borewell water capacity is calculated using the cylinder volume formula: Volume = π × r² × h, where r is the radius of the borewell and h is the water column height. Convert cubic volume to litres by multiplying cubic metres by 1000, or to gallons by multiplying litres by 0.264172.

How much water can a 6 inch borewell store?

A 6-inch diameter borewell stores approximately 5.56 litres per foot of water column depth. At 200 feet depth with a full water column, it holds about 1,112 litres (294 US gallons). Actual storage depends on the static water level and the height of the water column.

What is the formula for borewell volume?

The borewell volume formula is Volume = π × r² × h, where π ≈ 3.14159, r is the borewell radius (diameter ÷ 2), and h is the depth or water column height. For a borewell in inches and depth in feet: Volume (cubic feet) = π × (diameter in inches ÷ 24)² × depth in feet.

How many litres are in a borewell?

The number of litres in a borewell depends on its diameter and the water column height. A 4-inch borewell holds about 2.47 litres per foot, a 6-inch holds 5.56 L/ft, an 8-inch holds 9.88 L/ft, and a 10-inch holds 15.44 L/ft of water column. Multiply by the water column height for total litres.

Borewell Water Capacity Calculator

Calculate borewell water storage, volume in litres and gallons, estimate groundwater capacity, and plan irrigation systems using engineering-grade formulas. Understand how borewell diameter, depth, and static water level affect your available water supply.

⚙️ Calculate Borewell Capacity 📊 View Capacity Chart 📐 See Formulas ❓ FAQs

⚙️ Borewell Water Capacity Calculator

Borewell Diameter

Custom Diameter (inches) Enter diameter in inches (2–48)

Total Borewell Depth Depth in feet (10–3000)

Static Water Level (from surface) Depth to water table in feet (0 = water at surface)

Depth Unit

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Water Column Height (ft)

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Water Capacity (Litres)

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US Gallons

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UK (Imperial) Gallons

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Cubic Feet

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Cubic Metres

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Litres per Foot

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Total Borewell Volume (L)

ⓘ Assumptions: Uniform borewell diameter throughout depth. Water column = Total Depth − Static Water Level. Results are theoretical maximums; actual yield depends on aquifer characteristics, recharge rate, and pumping conditions.

📊 Borewell Water Capacity Chart

Comprehensive water storage estimates for common borewell diameters at various depths. Values assume a full water column (water from bottom to ground surface). For actual storage, subtract the static water level from total depth.

Borewell Diameter	Depth (ft)	Water Column (ft)	Litres	US Gallons	UK Gallons	Cubic Feet	Litres per Foot	Irrigation Suitability

📏 Water Capacity Comparison at 200 ft Depth (Full Water Column)

📐 Borewell Volume & Capacity Formulas

1. Cylindrical Borewell Volume Formula

Volume = π × r² × h
Where: π ≈ 3.14159 | r = radius (diameter ÷ 2) | h = water column height

Borewells are essentially vertical cylinders drilled into the ground. The water storage capacity is determined by the cross-sectional area (π × r²) multiplied by the height of the water column (h). The water column height is the difference between the total borewell depth and the static water level (depth from ground surface to the water table).

2. Cubic Feet to Litres Conversion

1 Cubic Foot = 28.3168 Litres
Litres = Cubic Feet × 28.3168

Since borewell dimensions are often measured in feet and inches, convert the cylindrical volume in cubic feet to litres for practical water storage estimates. 1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres, and 1 cubic foot ≈ 0.0283168 cubic metres.

3. Litres to Gallons Conversion

1 Litre = 0.264172 US Gallons
1 Litre = 0.219969 UK (Imperial) Gallons

US gallons and UK (Imperial) gallons differ: 1 US gallon = 3.78541 litres, while 1 UK gallon = 4.54609 litres. Always confirm which gallon unit is used in your region for pump sizing and irrigation planning.

4. Quick Estimation Formula (Litres per Foot)

Litres per Foot ≈ (Diameter in inches)² × 0.617
Example: 6-inch borewell → 36 × 0.617 ≈ 22.2 L/ft (for full cylinder volume)
Note: This gives total volume per foot. For water storage, multiply by water column height.

💡 Engineering Tip: Always measure the static water level before estimating available water. A borewell drilled to 300 feet with a static water level at 80 feet has a water column of only 220 feet — reducing effective storage by approximately 27%.

🔬 Worked Engineering Examples

Example 1: 6-Inch Borewell with 200 Feet Depth

Given: Diameter = 6 inches (0.5 ft), Total Depth = 200 ft, Static Water Level = 30 ft

Water Column: 200 − 30 = 170 ft

Cross-sectional Area: π × (0.25 ft)² = 3.14159 × 0.0625 = 0.19635 sq ft

Water Volume: 0.19635 × 170 = 33.38 cubic feet

Litres: 33.38 × 28.3168 = 945.2 litres

US Gallons: 945.2 × 0.264172 = 249.7 gallons

✅ Interpretation: This borewell can store approximately 945 litres of water at any given time. For a household of 4 using 150 litres per person per day, this provides about 1.6 days of stored water — highlighting the importance of borewell recharge for sustained supply.

Example 2: Agricultural Irrigation Borewell (8-Inch, 350 Feet)

Given: Diameter = 8 inches, Total Depth = 350 ft, Static Water Level = 45 ft

Water Column: 305 ft | Area: π × (4/12)² = 0.34907 sq ft

Volume: 106.47 cubic feet | Litres: 3,015 L | US Gallons: 796 gal

🌾 Irrigation Note: At a typical drip irrigation rate of 1.5 L/plant/hour for 500 plants, this stored volume supports approximately 4 hours of irrigation before relying entirely on the aquifer recharge rate.

Example 3: Domestic Household Borewell (4-Inch, 150 Feet)

Given: Diameter = 4 inches, Total Depth = 150 ft, Static Water Level = 20 ft

Water Column: 130 ft | Area: 0.08727 sq ft

Litres: 321 L | US Gallons: 85 gal

⚠️ Caution: A 4-inch borewell has limited storage. For a family of 4, this represents less than one day of stored water. Consider a larger diameter (6-inch or 8-inch) or supplementary storage tanks for domestic reliability.

Example 4: Borewell Recharge Capacity Estimation

If a borewell recharges at 500 litres per hour (aquifer transmissivity dependent) and the water column storage is 1,000 litres, the borewell fully recovers in approximately 2 hours after pumping stops. This recovery rate is crucial for sizing pumps and determining sustainable extraction rates.

Example 5: Commercial Groundwater Storage (12-Inch, 500 Feet)

Given: Diameter = 12 inches, Total Depth = 500 ft, Static Water Level = 60 ft

Water Column: 440 ft | Litres: 8,170 L | US Gallons: 2,158 gal

This commercial-scale borewell can support small-scale industrial operations or multi-family residential complexes with proper recharge management.

📋 Depth vs Water Storage Table (6-Inch Borewell)

Detailed breakdown of water storage at various water column heights for a standard 6-inch diameter borewell.

Water Column (ft)	Litres	US Gallons	UK Gallons	Cubic Feet	Household Days*

*Estimated for a household of 4 at 150 L/person/day (600 L/day total). Actual consumption varies.

🌍 Groundwater Engineering & Hydrogeology

Understanding aquifer systems, water table dynamics, and borewell hydraulics is essential for accurate water capacity estimation and sustainable groundwater management.

Key Hydrogeological Concepts

Concept	Definition	Engineering Significance
Static Water Level	Depth from ground surface to water table when not pumping	Determines the water column height for storage calculations
Dynamic Water Level	Depth to water table during active pumping	Affects pump sizing and energy consumption
Drawdown	Difference between static and dynamic water levels	Indicates well efficiency and aquifer response
Aquifer Transmissivity	Rate at which water flows through an aquifer	Determines sustainable extraction rates
Hydraulic Conductivity	Ease with which water moves through soil/rock	Affects recharge and recovery rates
Borewell Recovery Rate	Speed at which water level returns to static after pumping	Critical for continuous water supply planning
Specific Yield	Volume of water drained from aquifer per unit volume	Used in regional groundwater storage estimation

Borewell Recovery & Sustainable Extraction

The recovery rate of a borewell — how quickly the water level rebounds after pumping — is governed by the hydraulic conductivity of the surrounding aquifer and the borewell's design. A borewell with high storage capacity but low recovery rate may not sustain continuous extraction. Always conduct a pumping test to determine safe yield before finalizing pump specifications.

⚠️ Sustainability Warning: Over-extraction beyond the aquifer's natural recharge rate leads to groundwater depletion, declining water tables, and potential borewell failure. Integrate rainwater recharge systems and monitor water levels seasonally.

🌾 Agricultural Irrigation Applications

Borewell water capacity directly impacts irrigation planning. Understanding your borewell's storage and recharge characteristics helps optimize crop water management.

Crop Type	Daily Water Need (L/acre)	6" Borewell Support (acres)*	8" Borewell Support (acres)*
Vegetables (leafy)	25,000 – 35,000	0.03 – 0.04	0.08 – 0.12
Fruit trees	40,000 – 60,000	0.02 – 0.03	0.05 – 0.08
Cereals (wheat/rice)	30,000 – 50,000	0.02 – 0.03	0.06 – 0.10
Drip-irrigated crops	8,000 – 15,000	0.06 – 0.12	0.18 – 0.38

*Based on stored water volume only. Actual irrigable area depends heavily on borewell recharge rate and pumping duration. Drip irrigation significantly extends coverage.

🌱 Sustainable Practice: Combine borewell storage with farm pond storage or rainwater harvesting tanks to buffer between recharge cycles and extend irrigation capacity during dry periods.

♻️ Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Groundwater Management

Pumping water from deeper borewells consumes significant energy. Optimizing borewell design and integrating sustainable practices reduces both costs and environmental impact.

Right-size your borewell diameter — Oversized borewells cost more to drill and require larger pumps without proportional water yield benefits in low-transmissivity aquifers.
Solar-powered pumps — Pairing borewells with solar pumping systems reduces operational costs and carbon footprint, especially in remote agricultural settings.
Rainwater recharge integration — Direct rooftop or surface runoff into recharge pits near the borewell to enhance local aquifer replenishment.
Seasonal monitoring — Track water table fluctuations to adjust extraction rates and prevent dry-season borewell failure.
Drip irrigation — Reduces water demand by 40–60% compared to flood irrigation, extending the usable range of borewell water.

🔧 Borewell Installation & Engineering Requirements

Borewell Diameter	Recommended Casing Pipe	Typical Pump Type	Max Recommended Depth (ft)	Approx. Drilling Cost (per ft)
4 inch	4" PVC/MS casing	Submersible 1–2 HP	300	$3 – $6
6 inch	6" PVC/MS casing	Submersible 2–5 HP	600	$5 – $10
8 inch	8" MS/SS casing	Submersible 5–10 HP	1000	$8 – $15
10 inch	10" MS casing	Submersible 10–20 HP	1500	$12 – $22
12 inch	12" MS casing	Submersible 15–30 HP	2000	$18 – $30

Costs are approximate and vary by region, geology, and contractor. Always obtain a professional groundwater survey before drilling.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Borewell Water Capacity

📝 Borewell Water Capacity: Key Takeaways

Borewell water capacity depends on diameter and water column height — not just total depth. Always measure the static water level.
A 6-inch borewell stores approximately 5.56 litres per foot of water column; an 8-inch stores about 9.88 L/ft.
For domestic use, a 6-inch or 8-inch borewell with adequate recharge is typically sufficient for a family of 4–6.
Agricultural irrigation demands careful borewell sizing — consider both storage volume and recharge rate.
Integrate rainwater recharge systems to maintain sustainable groundwater levels and extend borewell lifespan.
Always consult a hydrogeologist or groundwater engineer for site-specific borewell design and yield estimation.