Groundwater Protection to Increase Water Security
Summary
Turkana County in Kenya lies in an arid area that experiences limited and erratic rainfall and has experienced long periods of cyclical drought. In 2020, a project was initiated by UNESCO in partnership with the Slovak government to increase water security in the county.
The project is budgeted between $100k - $500k and aims to provide access to safe, sustainable, and well-managed water facilities, improve water harvesting technology, and promote alternative energy for groundwater pumping in the Turkana region. Other similar projects have followed suit, such as the REACH water research program with the University of Nairobi, and the UNICEF program to increase sustainable development of water resources in Turkana County.
Lodwar Town, situated in Turkana County, is a rapidly expanding urban center in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2009 and 2019, its population witnessed a remarkable surge of 42.5%, leading to a substantial rise in the demand for water due to urban expansion. Turkana County has a long history of recurring droughts, with no established data on its water resource potential due to the absence of proper monitoring systems in permanent rivers. The convergence of climate change, paired with this urban expansion and pre-existing political, environmental, and economic challenges in Turkana, significantly impacts the local population's access to essential resources like food, water, healthcare, and security (UNESCO, 2023). Groundwater remains the primary source of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses within Lodwar and its surroundings. 926,976 people in Turkana depend on natural aquifers, but high climate variability, rising water demand, and land use conversion have contributed to significant aquifer depletion (UNESCO, 2023).
Intervention
The project in Turkana County, Kenya, first drafted in December of 2018 and later initiated in 2020, is a collaborative effort between UNESCO and the Slovak government to address severe water security challenges in the region, with a budget of $100k-500k. The project's activities include public outreach and awareness campaigns on water and sanitation, rainwater harvesting demonstrations, capacity building for technicians on water extraction systems, and increasing water availability for agriculture and livestock management. The project aims to improve water security in Turkana County, taking into consideration the effects of climate change on water as well as the predominantly pastoralist life of the indigenous people of the region (UNESCO, 2023).
Through a series of strategic activities encompassing public outreach, rainwater harvesting, capacity building for technicians, and the promotion of alternative energy sources, the project aims to provide access to safe, sustainable, reliable, and well-managed water facilities for the target communities. Community involvement in the project is crucial: there is an emphasis on engaging communities affected by environmental impact and climate change consulting with them on alternative livelihood provisions and incorporating community awareness and education programs on health, sanitation, and hygiene. Technical training provided to the community supported their capacity-building to conduct repairs on pump systems and groundwater pump testing. Furthermore, a workshop on desert agriculture was organized, accompanied by practical demonstrations on compost making, aiming to create alternative livelihood opportunities for the community and boost agricultural productivity in the small farms within these communities (REACH, 2023).
Challenges
A similar project would require significant financial resources in order to be replicated in another context. Furthermore, there needs to be considerable community buy-in and involvement to support awareness. Finally, the project would need to be tailored to the local context, as groundwater pump testing might not be relevant in a city that relies heavily on surface water resources. This would require on-the-ground research to establish an appropriate understanding of the local context.
Outcomes
As of April 2023, the UNESCO project in partnership with the Slovak government has yielded a range of benefits for 34 out of the 53 community groups envisioned in its objectives. Additionally, the project conducted 19 WASH awareness and sensitization activities across 12 different villages. Moreover, the initiative emphasizes the critical mass of experts and community leaders trained in the safe, sustainable, and reliable provision of water, ensuring the long-term success and continuity of these essential services (UNESCO, 2023). As the project continues, UNESCO will take steps to rectify the existing gap between local and national governments to foster closer collaboration with the project implementers to ensure its long-term success. The project's anticipated outcomes are a testament to its comprehensive approach to addressing water security and sustainable development in Turkana County. Moreover, the project has prompted accompanying research to be integrated into the climate change policy for Turkana County, and other related documents have since been launched, including the Turkana Climate Change Act and the Turkana County Climate Change Fund Regulation (WATSECT, 2023).
References
Groundwater Protection to Increase Water Security
Summary
Turkana County in Kenya lies in an arid area that experiences limited and erratic rainfall and has experienced long periods of cyclical drought. In 2020, a project was initiated by UNESCO in partnership with the Slovak government to increase water security in the county.
The project is budgeted between $100k - $500k and aims to provide access to safe, sustainable, and well-managed water facilities, improve water harvesting technology, and promote alternative energy for groundwater pumping in the Turkana region. Other similar projects have followed suit, such as the REACH water research program with the University of Nairobi, and the UNICEF program to increase sustainable development of water resources in Turkana County.
Lodwar Town, situated in Turkana County, is a rapidly expanding urban center in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2009 and 2019, its population witnessed a remarkable surge of 42.5%, leading to a substantial rise in the demand for water due to urban expansion. Turkana County has a long history of recurring droughts, with no established data on its water resource potential due to the absence of proper monitoring systems in permanent rivers. The convergence of climate change, paired with this urban expansion and pre-existing political, environmental, and economic challenges in Turkana, significantly impacts the local population's access to essential resources like food, water, healthcare, and security (UNESCO, 2023). Groundwater remains the primary source of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses within Lodwar and its surroundings. 926,976 people in Turkana depend on natural aquifers, but high climate variability, rising water demand, and land use conversion have contributed to significant aquifer depletion (UNESCO, 2023).
Issue
Intervention
The project in Turkana County, Kenya, first drafted in December of 2018 and later initiated in 2020, is a collaborative effort between UNESCO and the Slovak government to address severe water security challenges in the region, with a budget of $100k-500k. The project's activities include public outreach and awareness campaigns on water and sanitation, rainwater harvesting demonstrations, capacity building for technicians on water extraction systems, and increasing water availability for agriculture and livestock management. The project aims to improve water security in Turkana County, taking into consideration the effects of climate change on water as well as the predominantly pastoralist life of the indigenous people of the region (UNESCO, 2023).
Through a series of strategic activities encompassing public outreach, rainwater harvesting, capacity building for technicians, and the promotion of alternative energy sources, the project aims to provide access to safe, sustainable, reliable, and well-managed water facilities for the target communities. Community involvement in the project is crucial: there is an emphasis on engaging communities affected by environmental impact and climate change consulting with them on alternative livelihood provisions and incorporating community awareness and education programs on health, sanitation, and hygiene. Technical training provided to the community supported their capacity-building to conduct repairs on pump systems and groundwater pump testing. Furthermore, a workshop on desert agriculture was organized, accompanied by practical demonstrations on compost making, aiming to create alternative livelihood opportunities for the community and boost agricultural productivity in the small farms within these communities (REACH, 2023).
Challenges
A similar project would require significant financial resources in order to be replicated in another context. Furthermore, there needs to be considerable community buy-in and involvement to support awareness. Finally, the project would need to be tailored to the local context, as groundwater pump testing might not be relevant in a city that relies heavily on surface water resources. This would require on-the-ground research to establish an appropriate understanding of the local context.
Outcomes
As of April 2023, the UNESCO project in partnership with the Slovak government has yielded a range of benefits for 34 out of the 53 community groups envisioned in its objectives. Additionally, the project conducted 19 WASH awareness and sensitization activities across 12 different villages. Moreover, the initiative emphasizes the critical mass of experts and community leaders trained in the safe, sustainable, and reliable provision of water, ensuring the long-term success and continuity of these essential services (UNESCO, 2023). As the project continues, UNESCO will take steps to rectify the existing gap between local and national governments to foster closer collaboration with the project implementers to ensure its long-term success. The project's anticipated outcomes are a testament to its comprehensive approach to addressing water security and sustainable development in Turkana County. Moreover, the project has prompted accompanying research to be integrated into the climate change policy for Turkana County, and other related documents have since been launched, including the Turkana Climate Change Act and the Turkana County Climate Change Fund Regulation (WATSECT, 2023).
Issues |
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Water Scarcity and Access |
Solutions |
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Sustainable Water Supply & Climate Solutions |
References
“Progress of Water Security Project for Turkana, Kenya.” UNESCO.Org, www.unesco.org/en/articles/progress-water-security-project-turkana-kenya. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023.”
“Protecting Groundwater for Climate Resilience and Water Security in Turkana - REACH: Improving Water Security for the Poor.” REACH, 21 Apr. 2023. www.reachwater.uk/impact/protecting-groundwater-for-climate-resilience-and-water-security-in-turkana/.
“Water Security for Turkana, Kenya (WATSECT).” UNESCO.Org, www.unesco.org/en/articles/water-security-turkana-kenya-watsect. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023.
“Development Projects : Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project - P156433.” World Bank, projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P156433. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023”
“Kenya Water Resources Authority.” Water Resources Authority, wra.go.ke/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.”
“Recharge Pakistan.” WWF, www.wwfpak.org/our_work_/recharge_pakistan_/ . Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.”
“Water-Stressed Bangladesh Looks to Recharge Its Fast-Depleting Aquifers.” Mongabay Environmental News, 9 Aug. 2022, news.mongabay.com/2022/08/water-stressed-bangladesh-looks-to-recharge-its-fast-depleting-aquifers/