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6 Things you should know before digging a shallow well in Kenya.

 

Is a shallow well good for me in Kenya? That will depend on your location and the topography. A shallow well in Kenyan context is a hand-dug well or ‘Kisima.’ The well is normally dug by hand to depths of 80 ft. or less, there are exceptions to this. This type of well is common in Northern, Coastal, Central, Western and Some parts of the Rift-valley.

Consider the following before digging your shallow well:

1.       Do you have black cotton soil?

If your soil type collapses easily like this one does, do not dig a shallow well. You do not want the walls of the well to collapse posing a hazard and costing you money on repairs and modifications. Red soils or compact soils are preferred.

2.       Existence of springs

If there are numerous natural springs in your surrounding go ahead and dig your well. This indicates that the water table is close to the surface. Springs are a result of water saturation between soil and rock grains underground. Consequently, water flows to the surface where the water table intersects with the topography. Springs indicate the presence of an impermeable rock or clay surface beneath the ground level. Take note that springs are highly seasonal and variable with the weather.

3.       Do you have sand and alluvial soils?

These soils occur mostly along river beds or coastal areas. They have high permeability allowing surface water to percolate quickly. Pastoralist communities in the country utilize them for quick water access. On the downside check out for wall stability when digging to avoid fatalities. In addition, these wells have poor water quality like the fluoride and saline index based on ISO standards in majority of the areas.

4.       Sanitation

This is very important considering the susceptibility of pollution to water sources in densely populated areas. Common sources of pollution are pit latrine, farm inputs and industrial effluent. Conduct regular water quality analysis to mitigate this. Standard practice dictates a 10 m buffer downslope to any latrines or dumping area.

5.       Topography and slope

Moderately to gentle slopes are preferred since they allow surface run off to drain properly. Flat areas maybe safe during the dry season but they are easily polluted during the rainy season. Steep slopes may pose a danger of collapse. Always site your well upslope from sanitation amenities to discourage pollution

6.       Urban settings

Shallow wells are highly discouraged in urban settings due to the high susceptibility to pollution, only dig when you have general control of your surroundings. I can’t overemphasize this, it is one of the most common modern challenges we have with water pollution.

In conclusion, shallow wells are a cheap alternative source of water especially for rural communities. Check your water quality regularly. When you notice color, taste or odour changes stop using the water immediately. Secure your well with a wall approximately 50 cm above the surface. Finally, cover your well to prevent fatalities due to drowning.

You may think about the sustainability. Well, with climate change ever present and more severe with each day; there are no guarantees here. Surface and groundwater fluctuations are as frequent since they are interlinked. It is advisable to have yourself back-ups like roof water harvesting, boreholes or piped municipal water.

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