Sand Dam
Rehabilitation Project
Like most communities in this semi-arid area of Southeast Kenya, the Itumani Community faces a daily water crisis. The 2,000 people in the community lack a reliable, safe water source for their daily needs. They resort to collecting water from a faraway earth dam that is open to various types of contamination.
"The terrain around Itumani village is generally dry and dusty, making water collection challenging, especially during droughts. The area is also hilly and rocky, and the lack of nearby water sources means that water must often be transported from distant locations. This increases the difficulty of collecting water, particularly during hot weather, leading to physical exhaustion and potential health risks for residents involved in water fetching," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.
A community member collecting water from the earth dam.
"Residents frequently suffer from diarrheal diseases, cholera, and typhoid due to the contamination in the earth dam," he continued.
When community members do not collect water from the earth dam, they collect it from a faraway borehole well, which has its own issues.
"The high salt content in the borehole water has led to increased dehydration, particularly among children and the elderly. Water from the borehole kiosk is expensive, putting financial strain on households, especially because income is acquired primarily from farming, which is adversely affected by drought. Many families struggle to afford enough water for their daily needs," Alex continued.
"Moreover, drinking saline water from the borehole has caused gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating and stomach cramps. Some community members also experience skin irritations and rashes, likely due to bathing in contaminated water," Alex said.
Peter at the earth dam.
Fifteen-year-old Peter is familiar with the daily struggle of not having enough water to meet his daily needs.
"The water sources are located far away from my home. I feel bad because I have to walk several kilometers to draw water. Walking on the dusty roads for a long time makes our donkey tired, and sometimes, it drops down the jerrycans of water, forcing me to go back. We experience several months of drought, and I feel exhausted going to fetch water from distant sources," said Peter.
Understandably, collecting water from so far away leaves Peter exhausted, making it difficult for him to complete his daily tasks.
"It is hard to focus in class the following day because I get too tired fetching water in the evening after school. One day, I hope to be a doctor so that I can help my community. The new waterpoint will be nearby, and I will be fetching water any time during the day," continued Peter.
The Itumani Community.
"The sand dam will store water in the sand, which reduces evaporation and ensures a more consistent supply of clean water throughout the year, especially during droughts. This will alleviate the issue of water scarcity and reduce the need to rely on contaminated or saline sources. By filtering water naturally through the sand, the dam will provide cleaner water, reducing the health risks associated with waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, and eliminating the need to consume saline water from the borehole," concluded Field Officer Alex Koech.
Once the sand dam is built, it can feed a dug well, giving Peter access to water closer to home. This will allow him to quickly and efficiently collect water and return his focus to other things that will help him build a brighter future.
Solving the water crisis in this community will require a multifaceted system that will work together to create a sustainable water source that will serve this community for years to come.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they decided to construct a sand dam and dug well.
Sand Dam
Sand dams are sought-after, climate-smart, and lasting water solutions providing hope and resilience to communities in arid Southeastern Kenya. Think of them like giant sandboxes constructed in seasonal rivers that would typically quickly dry up after the rainy season. Instead of holding water like traditional dams, they collect sand and silt.
When infrequent rains do come, these dams catch a percentage of the river's flow, letting most of the water continue downstream to other communities. But here's the magic: the sand they collect acts like a natural filter, holding onto water long after the river's gone dry. Then, wells are constructed nearby, creating a reliable water source even during the driest times.
And the benefits don't stop there! In communities impacted by climate change, sand dams replenish groundwater and prevent soil erosion. Even during severe droughts, the consistent water supply from these sand dams allows farmers to thrive, giving way for enough food not only for their families but also to sell in local markets.
The most remarkable aspect of sand dams is how they involve the local community every step of the way, giving them a sense of ownership and pride in solving their own water shortage and managing their own water resources.
This sand dam will be connected to a dug well to make the water more accessible.
Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
