In Makueni, Kenya, residents of Kasengela village are taking matters into their own hands to secure water sources by constructing sand dams along dry riverbeds. Using locally available materials like cement, sand, and rocks, they build barriers that capture water during rainy seasons, creating artificial aquifers for future use.
With limited access to piped water and unreliable alternatives, many in the region rely on seasonal rivers for water. Sand dams help minimize water loss through evaporation and recharge groundwater, providing a more sustainable solution amidst prolonged droughts attributed to human-caused climate change.
While the simplicity of sand dams has made them increasingly popular across dry regions of Kenya and other parts of Africa, experts emphasize the importance of selecting suitable sites for maximum effectiveness.
Source: PUNCH