Source: https://thewaterproject.org/sand-dams
What is a sand dam?
A sand dam is a reinforced rubble cement wall built across a seasonal sandy river. They are a simple, low cost, low maintenance technology that retains rainwater and recharges groundwater. Sand dams are the most cost-effective method of water conservation in dryland environments.
What’s the impact?
By re-charging the aquifer, sand dams provide enough water to establish tree and vegetable nurseries. Together, sand dams, farmland terracing and tree planting form a cycle of water and soil conservation that is self-perpetuating. Conserving water and soil on farms increases soil fertility, reduces the time spent collecting water, and increases the time available to farm, learn and innovate.
Sand dams provide the water and time necessary for people to productively farm. A year-round water source saves time and enables farmers to invest in improved agricultural techniques such as: inter-cropping, crop diversification, zero-grazing, and seed banks. Such activities facilitate the production of a secure and diverse supply of food, even during periods of drought.
Increased, more reliable and diversified crop production improves nutrition and food security, with surpluses sold at local markets; enabling the transition from subsistence to income generation. When families can produce food and generate an income, they are able to afford education for their children. With ready access to water, children don’t have to spend their time collecting water, are less likely to suffer acute health impacts of diarrhoea and water-borne disease and realize their potential for a future outside of poverty.
Somalia
Somaliland
This has impeded the regions development for several decades in various ways: Agricultural productivity has been low, public health has suffered, and a big part of the workforce (largely women) has not been gainfully employed as they have to spend several hours every day just sourcing water.
Under its Integrated Community Development Program (ICDP), IFAD has supported the construction of 15 sand dams in the region since 2005. The sand dams substantially increased water availability in the region– more than 1 million cubic metres of water is now available to over 6300 households, shallow wells in the area have been recharged, and agriculture has been boosted from a subsistence activity to a commercially profitable sector.
More info: http://www.ifad.org/bffs/projects/som…
Kenya
Hear from Austin, Field Manager for Africa Sand Dam Foundation (our partners in southeast Kenya), about what the expedition support, new sand dam and access to safe water mean to the community.
If you’d like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/… or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk
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Sand Dams Worldwide supports vulnerable people living in rural drylands to gain access to clean water, restore degraded land, rebuild communities and regreen environments with sand dams. Sand dams empower communities, putting their future firmly in their own hands. We believe that they will transform millions of lives.
https://www.youtube.com/@sanddamsworldwide
The Water Project funds a variety of water solutions, depending on each community’s need. Sand dams are an incredidle example of the huge impact small projects can have.
