Community Efforts in Kenya Transform Water Access with Innovative Sand Dams

MAKUENI, Kenya (TAE) – In the arid and semi-arid regions of southeastern Kenya, the construction of sand dams by local communities is revolutionizing the way residents access water. In Kasengela village, amidst the backdrop of a dry riverbed, the community is engaged in the manual labor of building a sand dam, a simple yet effective solution to water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.

Sand dams are concrete barriers built across seasonal rivers. They trap water and coarse sand, creating artificial aquifers that store water during the rainy season. This method not only minimizes water loss through evaporation but also recharges the groundwater, providing a sustainable water source for the local population.

Kasengela, along with other villages in the counties of Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui, has embraced this technology. Rhoda Peter, from Kyalika village in Makueni County, shared her enthusiasm for the sand dams, which have ensured her shallow well remains replenished throughout the dry seasons. Before the dams, fetching water was a treacherous three-hour journey for many, including Peter and her children.

The need for such innovative solutions is stark, with only 5% of Makueni's households having access to clean piped water as of 2022. The region's reliance on boreholes, rivers, and earth dams, which are susceptible to drying up or becoming saline, underscores the urgency for alternative solutions.

Mwanzia Mutua, a local leader in Kasengela, highlighted the transformation the sand dam promises to bring, reducing his water collection journey from a whole day to just 10 minutes. This not only conserves time but also significantly improves the livelihood of the community by allowing more time for agriculture and other economic activities.

The construction of these dams is a community effort, with residents providing materials and labor, while organizations like the Africa Sand Dam Foundation offer support with materials and technical expertise. The foundation has constructed 680 sand dams across the counties since its inception in 2010, demonstrating the model's success and scalability.

However, experts caution that the success of sand dams depends heavily on proper site selection. Studies have shown that dams built in unsuitable locations may fail to function as intended. Factors such as rainfall patterns, soil composition, and geological features are critical in determining a dam's effectiveness.

Beyond water provision, sand dams offer ecological benefits by rejuvenating vegetation and recharging the groundwater table, which can lead to the emergence of springs and boreholes. This has a profound impact on the community, enabling children to attend school and parents to focus on improving their livelihoods.

The initiative has captured the interest of governments and organizations beyond Kenya, with the Africa Sand Dam Foundation collaborating with partners in countries across Africa and Asia to share knowledge and build capacity for sand dam construction.

For the residents of southeastern Kenya, sand dams represent more than just a method of water conservation; they are a beacon of hope for a sustainable future, enabling communities to thrive despite the challenges posed by a changing climate.