CribCheckSource and cost
- Borehole, well, tanker delivery or public supply — ask which, and ask a neighbour to confirm.
- Who pays to run the pump, and is it included in the service charge?
- How often does tanker water get bought in the dry season, and at what cost?
Pressure and storage
- Open the kitchen tap and a shower together and watch the flow.
- Check the overhead and ground tank size against the number of flats sharing it.
- Look inside the tank if you can: sediment, algae or a missing cover are all problems.
Quality
Run water into a clear white container. Brown or cloudy water, a metallic taste, staining in sinks or a strong smell all point to quality problems. Water fit to drink is a laboratory question, not a judgement you should make by eye — treat a bad sign as a reason to book a professional check.
Layout risk
A borehole close to a septic tank or soakaway is a contamination risk, regardless of how clear the water looks. Walk the compound and note the distance between them.