Water Resources Assessment Report

Water Resources

Assessment, Development,
Management and Drought Impacts in
Selected Districts in South West State
of Somalia

2018

Prepared by

General Service Agency (GSA)

Comprehensive HydroGeophysical Assessment for Selected Locations in Puntland State, Somalia – GSA, 2017 1

General Service Agency (GSA)

Address and Contact Details:
GSA office, Mogadishu, Somalia
Tel: +252-907795541
Mobile: +252-615271980 - +254-727140302
E-mail: info@gsasom.org – nasrgsa@gmail.com
Website: www.gsasom.org

Limitations, Uses and Reliance

This document, once read in its entirety, may be relied upon for the purposes stated within the limits of: Assessment
on the access to safe water, its management and its impacts during the drought season in 8 districts in South Somalia
undertaken in accordance with an agreed term of reference and timeframe and may involve intrusive investigations of
subsurface conditions, generally at a few selected locations. Although due care, skill and professional judgment are
applied in the interpretation and extrapolation of environmental conditions and factors to elsewhere, the potential for
variances cannot be discounted. Therefore, the results, analyses and interpretations presented herein cannot be
considered absolute or conclusive. General Service Agency (GSA) does not accept any responsibility for variances
between the interpreted and extrapolated and those that are revealed by any means. Users are also cautioned that
fundamental assumptions made in this document may change with time and it is the responsibility of any user to
ensure that assumptions made, remain valid.

The comments, findings, conclusions and recommendations contained in this document represent professional
estimates and opinions and are not to be read as facts unless expressly stated to the contrary. In general, statements of
fact are confined to statements as to what was done and/or what was observed; others have been based on professional
judgment. The conclusions are based upon information and data, visual observations and the results of field and
laboratory investigations and are therefore merely indicative of the conditions at the time. In addition, presentations in
this document are based upon the extent of the terms of reference and/or on information supplied by the client, agents
and third parties outside our control. To the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, conclusions and/or re
commendations in this document are based in whole or part on this information, those are contingent upon the
accuracy and completeness of the information which has not been verified unless stated otherwise. GSA does not
accept responsibility for omissions and errors due to incorrect information or information not available at the time of
preparation of this document and will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any information be
incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed. Neither will we be liable
to update or revise the document to take into account any events, emergent circumstances or facts occurring or
becoming apparent after the date of this document.

Within the limitations imposed by the terms of reference, the assessment of the study area and preparation of this
document have been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, by suitably qualified and experienced
personnel, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by
hydrogeological consultants under similar circumstances. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made.

This document has been prepared for the purposes stated herein. Every care was taken in the interpretation of
hydrogeological and environmental conditions and the nature and extent of impacts, presentation of findings and
recommendations which are provided in good faith in the general belief that none of these are misleading. No
responsibility or liability for the consequences of use and/or inference by others is accepted.

Intellectual and copyright in the information, data and representations such as drawings, figures, tabulations and text,
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which it was prepared for. No responsibility or liability to any other party is accepted for any consequences and/or
damages arising out of the use of this document without express and written consent.

The above conditions must be read as part of the document and must be reproduced where permitted.
Acceptance of this document indicates acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 2

Report Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts in Selected
Districts in South West State of Somalia
Title: El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa, Dinsoor, Buur Hakaba and
Afgoye
Sites: December 2017

Date: Nasr Hamid
Author(s):
Client: Somali Resilience Program (SomRep)
Contact:
Synopsis: Nasr Hamid and Jamal Salah

This document details the surface and groundwater resources conditions its
management and potential impacts during the drought season in El Barde,
Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa, Dinsoor, Buur Hakaba and Afgoye in
South west State of Somalia

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 3

Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 5
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 7

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 7
1.2 South West State: Study Area................................................................................................. 8
1.3 Physiographic Features: .......................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Secio-economic Condition:................................................................................................... 13
1.5 Objectives of the Study......................................................................................................... 16
1.6 Purpose of the Report............................................................................................................ 16
2. Methodology & Information Sources ........................................................................................... 18
2.1 Planning for Filed Survey ..................................................................................................... 18
2.2 Community Sensitization...................................................................................................... 19
2.3 Actual Survey........................................................................................................................ 19
2.4 Coordination and Monitoring of the Survey Teams ............................................................. 21
2.5 Data Processing:.................................................................................................................... 22
3. Water Resources Assessment........................................................................................................ 23
3.1 Existing water infrastructure................................................................................................. 23
3.2 Surface Water Resources: ..................................................................................................... 26
3.3 Geology and groundwater potential ...................................................................................... 28
4. Water Points Distribution per Districts ......................................................................................... 32
4.1 Baidoa Water Resources Inventory....................................................................................... 33
4.2 Buur Hakaba Water Resources Inventory............................................................................. 41
4.3 Dinsoor Water Resources Inventory ..................................................................................... 47
4.4 Qansahdhere Water Resources Inventory ............................................................................. 53
4.5 Xudur Water Resources Inventory........................................................................................ 59
4.6 Wajid Water Resources Inventory ........................................................................................ 65
4.7 El Barde Water Resources Inventory.................................................................................... 71
4.8 Afgooye Water Resources Inventory.................................................................................... 77
4.9 Water Resources Management in South West State: ............................................................ 87
5. Conclusions & recommendations ................................................................................................. 90
Conclusions:...................................................................................................................................... 90
Challenges......................................................................................................................................... 92
Recommendations............................................................................................................................. 92

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 4

Executive Summary

The South West State of Somalia region is suffering from severe water shortage especially in rural
and the main urban centers with large concentration of internally displaced people (IDP) and areas of
contact between pastoralists and farmers. That is why it has been widely circulated that the conflict in
some of the areas was initiated by competition over stressed natural resources especially water. The
surface and groundwater resource assessment has specially pointed out to the importance of water as a
determinant factor for sustainable recovery, development and peace in the region. Any plans for re-
settlement require detailed assessment of water resources including water demand for various uses
and provision of water supply from reliable sources taking into consideration strategies that ensure
sustainability and rational management.

This report summarizes the results of assessment of surface and groundwater sources and rainwater
harvesting potential in eight districts namely El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa, Dinsoor,
Buur Hakaba and Afgoye district in South west State of Somalia together with assessment of current
and future needs for various water uses. Directions for strategic planning and management of water
resources are also proposed through pilot projects at targeted areas. These projects include water
harvesting, groundwater development, management of aquifer recharge in alluvial and fractured
aquifers, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater and integrated watershed management in stream
systems. The report also outlines the urgent need for water sources, capacity development, research
and development, monitoring networks and water information system. The results indicate that though
there is a great stress on the readily available water resources in target districts leading to the current
conflict, it is found that there are no enough water resources to meet current and future needs.

The main findings of water sources assessment in South West State of Somalia are summarized
below:

 The project area is one of the worst affected areas by re-current droughts in the country.
 Insufficient rural/Urban water supply coverage, 54.8% of residents in some districts of South

West State did not have any access to water sources.
 Majority of the villages depend on unreliable water sources such as berkads and shallow wells

which dry out soon after the rains forcing people to travel long
 distances (between 1 and 50 km) is search of water
 In total 3,532 water sources assessed including 168 boreholes visited (4.76%), 2522 Shallow

wells visited (71.47%), 839 Barkeds and Surface dams visited (Rainwater catchment) and 3
springs (23.77%).
 Majority of the sources are in urban areas, where the usage is either nomadic or for other rural
needs, mainly domestic and for livestock.
 Distribution of the water sources in the districts as follow, Baidoa 29.73%, Diinsoor 5.72%,
Burhakaba 3.80%, Qansaxdhere 2.30%, Xudur 20.60%, Elbarde 1.22%, Wajid 26.72% and
Afgooye is 9.92%.
 Hand dug wells (71.47%) and Berkeds and dams (23.77%) are the primary water sources for
rural and nomad areas
 Estimated water resources are sufficient if all of them are operation to theoretically cover all
potable water demands of about 1,328,302 citizens (permanent, nomadic, refugee) actually
live in South West State. Problem is their concentration and pressure on rare water points
with stable discharge. Surface waters from Shabelle River and from rainfall collection
structures (wars, berkads) may satisfy demands for livestock watering, and partly for

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 5

irrigation. However, in remote areas groundwater will remain main water source even for
small-scale irrigation.
 It came out from the analysis that more than 66% of the water sources assessed are currently
in need for intervention.
 27% of all boreholes drilled are not functioning, reportedly due to poor water quality, due to
their low yield or technical problem and 7% of the all boreholes are abundant.
 High failure rate of boreholes (estimated as 35% for hand pumped boreholes and 32% for
motorized boreholes). This has significant cost implications.
 Knowledge of local hydrogeology and expertise in site survey techniques are insufficient to
estimate required drilling depths accurately. Consequently, required depth is often over-
estimated in tender documents, resulting in mobilization of heavier equipment than necessary,
and correspondingly high drilling costs.
 Water quality seems to be the major problem in the area. 24 Water samples manly form
Afgooye taken for lab testing.

The study revealed that groundwater from the shallow and deep wells reflect the saline water
category; according to WHO water quality standards is unsuitable for drinking purposes. The
groundwater type is Ca2+- Mg2+-Cl--SO42- and Na+-Mg2+-CL- water types and close to coastline
groundwater is Cl-- Na+ type, reflecting the effect of sea water intrusion. The results showed that the
groundwater chemical characteristics are controlled by multiple natural geochemical processes and
contamination from surface activities.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 6

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

There is currently severe water scarcity in the Somalia due to drought resulting from failed
rains in 2017/2018, and population and livestock movements from neighboring regions.
South west state of Somalia is suffering from severe water shortage especially in the main
urban centers with large concentration of internally displaced people (IDP) and areas of
contact between pastoralists and farmers. That is why it has been widely circulated that the
conflict in region was initiated by competition over stressed natural resources especially
water.

The Drought Intervention and Recovery Plan for the South West State of Somalia (SWS)

shows that drought has had a negative impact in both productive sectors and communities and

there is need to help affected communities and households protect their livelihoods from

shocks, through various responses that would improve their resilience and adaptive

capacities. It also shows that it will take a long time for assets and livelihoods to be recovered

as most people lost over half

(50%) of their livestock and

livelihoods. Many

humanitarian interventions

affected by insecurity due to

the presence of Al Shabab

(AS) in many locations with

vulnerable populations, which

affect access to essential

services in by the most

vulnerable members of the

community. Internally displaced Somali women gather to collect water from a plastic pan
after fleeing from drought. VOA Biado 2017

The drought and conflict in region is strongly linked to increasing pressures on the readily

available natural resources, particularly lack of adequate water supply to meet the immediate

demand of population. It has been estimated in this study that current water supply in Bay

and Bakool regions represents only about 15% of the required domestic and livestock

demand.

Available records on conflict in South West State during the past six decades indicate that
more than 75% of them were triggered due to high competition over water and pasture
especially during low rainfall seasons (SWALIM, 2017). Therefore, any plans to achieve
peace and stability in the region, would require an integrated water management strategy that
ensures the provision of sustainable water supply to meet livelihood needs of the people of
South West State of Somalia. Failure to adopt the integrated approach could lead to more
water supply problems, which may lead to more conflicts in the future.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 7

South West State of Somalia relies more on groundwater resources, apart from the
communities living along the Shabelle River. Majority of the villages depend on un-reliable
water sources such as berkads and shallow wells which dry out soon after the rains
forcing people to travel long distances (between 1 and 50 km) is search of water. Many water
sources do not also provide safe drinking water, thus exposing the communities to health
problems. Despite it being the main source of water there is neither a hydrogeological map
nor a sound policy for groundwater management and exploration in the area. With the
increasing demand for permanent water source both for human and livestock consumption,
due to increase in the population, it has become necessary to take stock of the available water
resources and prioritize intervention strategies taking into consideration the current demand
and needs.

The main objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the water
resources of South West State and suggest directions for strategic water resources
management and development. Data and information generated by the survey is expected to
benefit SomRep and local authorities to better manage water resources for drought
emergency response as well as for planning water resources development in region. While
addressing this issue, there were many key problems and bottlenecks pertaining to South
West State water resources that were important to look at, in order to ensure the sustainability
of the recommended strategy. Examples of these problems are absence of monitoring and
water resources information base, lack of comprehensive guiding policy document and water
strategy linked to a plan of action, poor governance and legislative framework, inadequate
capacity development, lack of coordination among water sub-sectors, and inadequate
stakeholders participation.

The regional and local governments are well aware by the project but not participated in the
field survey due to the security tension in some areas. As a way of capacity building, the
survey teams were composed of GSA teams and one representative of the local communities
in any district and village visited.

1.2 South West State: Study Area

The assessment was carried in eight districts in South West State of Somalia, (Fig 1.1) more
specifically include El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa, Dinsoor, Buur Hakaba in
Bay and Bkool region and Afgoye in Lower Shabelle region. The area is disaster prone and
typically characterized by food insecurity and very low social and economic development
levels. Low development levels are largely attributed to security situation, droughts, floods
and disease-outbreaks, resulting in the failure of crops, loss of livestock and high mortality
rates.

Trends indicate that the impact of extreme weather events is increasing. Agricultural
productivity is decreasing and groundwater tables are dropping. More and more people
displaced and depend on aid and safety net programs. Currently, the military operations led
by the Somali Government troops in alliance with AMISOM troops against Al-shabaab is
still going on in these regions.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 8

Figure 1.1: Location map of the study area – South West State

1.3 Physiographic Features:

Topography

The area is predominantly flat, nearly featureless range from 600 to 100 m above sea level,
slopping gently towards the east with some flat-topped mesas incised by numerous toggas.
The covered by reddish sands of various thicknesses, and the flat topography being
interrupted by incisions of streams and stabilized hills which are typified by a variety of
morphological features. This area is severely eroded by wind and run-off water.

Deep gullies can be discerned on the gentle slopes whereas sheet structure occurs on the low
lying areas. Parts of the area have varying topography from gently rolling to jugged, with flat
topped mesas. Further east the Lower Shabelle basin is a large plain that gently slopes
southward (Fig 1.1). The area covered by red sand, limestone, gypsum and caliche sandstone
some ancestral drainage system in the area is clearly distinguished from the satellite images.
One of the important topographic features in the area is Shebelle River.

The Shebelle River begins in the highlands of Ethiopia and then flows southeast
into Somalia towards Mogadishu and Afgooye. Below Mogadishu, the river becomes
seasonal. During most years, the river dries up near the mouth of the Jubba River, while in
seasons of heavy rainfall the river actually reaches the Jubba and thus the Indian Ocean.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 9

Climate

Few climate stations are available in the project area and data series are incomplete. There,
precipitation, temperature, potential and actual evapotranspiration were measured over a
longer period. To complete the data, all available daily precipitation records of Somalia
Rainfall Climatology dataset from FAO-SWALIM were downloaded. Figure 1.2 provides an
indication of mean annual precipitation.

The climate is mostly hot and dry during the year with erratic and unreliable rains and
follows a bi-modal climate pattern typical in semi-arid areas, which makes it extremely
sensitive to climate change-induced drought and water scarcity risks. Annual amount of
rainfall ranges between 300-500mm, two-thirds of which usually precipitate during the
primary season of Gu (April-June), with the remainder received during secondary rainy
season of Deyr (October-November).

Figure 1.2: Average Monthly Climatic Data of South West State (Source: SWALIM)

Analysis also shows annual rainfall decreasing trend and a marked shift in rainfall isohyets
towards the south (SWALIM, 2017). The Jilaal dry season (Jan -March) is the longest and
harshest dry season during which pastoralists face water and fodder shortages; the Hagaa dry
season (July-Sept.) is the shorter and generally milder dry season. Temperatures vary
seasonally, with mean annual temperatures ranging between 25°-30°C, with a maximum
temperature in April and a minimum temperature in July (Table 1.1).

Table 1.1: Long term average climatic values in South West State (Source: SWALIM, 2017)

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
27.2 28.0 28.3 27.5 26.1 25.1 24.0 24.3 25.2 25.5 26.1 26.6 26.2
Daily mean °C (°F) 1 6 23 151 118 12 19 7 13 141 80 14 585
59 58 60 70 75 70 71 67 64 72 74 67 67
Average precipitation 151 143 181 163 173 204 195 197 181 137 129 155 167
mm
Average relative 9.3 9.7 8.9 7.6 7.7 6.9 5.2 6.7 7.3 6.2 7.9 8.9 7.7
humidity (%)
Potential
evapotranspiration
(mm)
Mean daily sunshine
hours

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 10

Actual evapotranspiration is used from MODIS remote sensing imagery that incorporates
vegetation cover indices and stomatal resistance. Open water evaporation is not included.
Evapotranspiration rates are highest in the flat areas and along the flood plains. In Afgooye
area and along Shabelle River, evapotranspiration is high because vegetation density is
relatively high and because of high soil water content in the flood-plains. Although
evapotranspiration rates are relatively high, most of the area has a net precipitation of over
100 mm a year.

As a consequence of the relation between topography and climate the chance for water
shortages is highest in the south western part of the landscape. In these areas, measures
should be taken to avail water in the soil profile and to enable complementary irrigation.
Simple interventions can make the difference between total crop failure or a successful
harvest.

Floods and Droughts

Close to the wadis, floods are the second major threat to communities. The rainfall amounts
are not very high, but as events are stormy, rainfall is often concentrated in one or two hours.
This high rainfall intensity causes high surface runoff (overland flow) and thus comes with a
very high erosivity and chance of flooding. Peak discharges can then result in destructive
floods. In order to address the flooding, peak discharges could be attenuated with storage and
retention interventions, and run off could be redirected and slowed down by means of bunds
and levies. Land use planning could take into account flood statistics.

Dry seasons refer to long periods without rainfall that are well known and expected. Droughts
are periods of below average water availability. Droughts as in ’water scarcity’ or ‘below
average water availability’ are composed events to which various factors contribute. To
adequately address droughts it is essential to define droughts and understand their
propagation through the system.

Huijgevoort et al. (2014) define drought as “a temporal, sustained and spatially extensive
occurrence of below average natural water availability. Drought propagates from a lack of
precipitation (meteorological drought), into the soil (soil moisture drought) and then into the
aquifers, streams, lakes and reservoirs (hydrological drought), which again can have an
impact on local atmospheric conditions. This can lead to agricultural drought (failure of
crops), socio-economic drought (impact on goods and services) and ecological drought
(ecosystem services)”.

Quantifying and analyzing the characteristics, impacts and trends of all drought types is
beyond the scope of this study. In this particular section, analyzes focus on the occurrence
and duration of meteorological droughts.

Droughts in times of climate change

Most studies indicate that droughts have become more frequent, intense and widespread in
Somalia during the last 50 years. Additionally, many severe and prolonged droughts were
recorded in the recent past such as the 2010–2011 droughts. The available, though limited,
evidence confirms the occurrence of several multi-year droughts during each century. These
droughts are related to complex and highly variant physical mechanisms such as El Niño–
Southern Oscillation (ENSO), sea surface temperature (SST) and land–atmosphere feedback.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 11

The impacts of droughts are likely to aggravate due to climate change, population growth and
environmental degradation. As a result of climate change:

 The total amount of rainfall is expected to increase with 10 to 20% and rainfall
intensity will become higher. This will make it more difficult to buffer water in the
project area

 Temperatures are projected to rise with 3.0 to 3.5 degrees Celsius. As a consequence,
evapotranspiration rates are likely to increase, which leads to a lower water
availability

Mitigation and adaptation

As a result of droughts, water reservoirs, including the soil, aquifers and manmade reservoirs,
may not be replenished during the rainy seasons. The delay of the rainy season at the end of
Jilaal is especially problematic to pastoralists because recovery of pastures is delayed.

Droughts during dry seasons are less of a problem since users are already accustomed to little
rainfall. Yet, an unexpected harsh or prolonged Hagaa (short dry season) can be problematic
for farmers. Farmer’s plant at the start of Gu rainy season; if rainfall fails two months later
and no other water sources are available crop failure may follow.

Understanding drought processes allows integrating efforts, reducing negative impacts and
better anticipates for future droughts. To cope with droughts both mitigation and adaptation
measures are recommended:

 Although mitigation of meteorological droughts (below average amounts of rainfall)
is barely possible, microclimatic conditions can be improved through widespread
regeneration of vegetation cover

 The risk for a meteorological drought to turn into soil moisture, hydrological,
agricultural, socio-economic or ecological drought can be reduced through improved
ecosystem management (e.g. increase soil moisture holding capacity, augment the
system’s water storage capacity, re-vegetation). Ecosystem management improves the
system’s water retention capacity, so that water availability is improved in times of
low rainfall

 Clustering of droughts stresses the need to cope with multi-year events. Water
retention and storage interventions should allow for large amounts of water to be
stored

 Lower dependence on water resources is another way to cope with droughts.
Livelihoods that are less dependent on water could be promoted and access to drought
tolerant crops improved

 In general, the progress on droughts risk management should speed up, also in light of
possible worsening of the situation due to climate change. Interventions should
prioritize addressing root causes, and not be limited to end-of-pipeline symptom
alleviation

 Invest in drought early warning systems and further develop forecast-based
approaches that release funds for disaster preparedness and response. A shift from
humanitarian reactive system to one that looks forward saves live, time and money.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 12

1.4 Secio-economic Condition:

Population:

Recent UNFPA report (2014) based on an extensive survey estimates that the total population
in Bay, Bakool and Lower Shebelle are 792,182, 367,226 and 1,202,219 inhabitants
respectively, which include 1,202,219 IDPs (Table 1.2). Majority of the people are nomadic,
either pastoralist or agro-pastoralist (or about 58% of the total population).

According to the World Bank the average population density is 23 inhabitants/ km2 (World
Bank, 2017 - Fig 1.3 & 1.4). An average household consists of 6 members (UNDP, 2014).
Statistics indicate that the number and the size of households are increasing due to early
marriage practices, which is one of the strategies to cope with droughts. Following customary
rules households, cultural practices and religious institutions are headed by males. On a daily
basis household affairs are mostly controlled by women.

Table 1.2: General features of districts in the study area

Region District Surface Total Mean Annual Livelihood Zone
Bay Baidoa Area (km2)1 Population2 Precipitation
(mm/yr)3 Rainfed Agro-
13,247 415,472 Pastoral
577 Rainfed Agro-
Pastoral
Buur Hakaba 18,023 160,356 462 Rainfed Agro-
Pastoral
Dinsoor 9,837 96,723 468 Rainfed Agro-
Pastoral
Qansadhere 3,211 119,631 544 Pastoral
Rainfed Agro-
Bakool El Barde 7,782 44,513 269 Pastoral
Wajid 2,795 82,393 495 Rainfed Agro-
Pastoral
Xudur 5,538 110,003 355 Riverine

Lower Afgoye 3,970 299,211 584
Shabelle

The country is rapidly expanding with almost 3% annual population growth and a high
fertility rate of 6.26 children per woman, which is the 4th highest in the world. Baidoa alone
currently hosts one of the highest caseloads of drought displaced people in the country (IOM,
2017).

As of 17 May 2017, 142,475 IDPs recorded in Baidoa town in 247 sites. 47% of IDP
settlements are spontaneous sites, 21% live with host communities and 32% stay in planned
camps. 82% of IDPs originate from Bay. The most populated IDP site is Kerow Mirqa IDP.

1 Figures based on UNDP Somalia, 1998
2 South West State Gov, 2017
3 Figures based on FOA-SWALIM, 2017

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 13

Figure 1.3: Population density people per sq. km in Somalia

Figure 1.4: Urban, rural, nomadic and internally displaced population

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 14

Socio-economic development numbers in the project area are amongst the poorest in
Somalia. Numerous factors are contributing to this situation, including the security situation
fragility of the local economy, poor health and education situation, and lack of infrastructure.

The local economy is closely linked to that of neighboring regions. The main markets for this
livelihood are in Baidoa, Hudur, Dinsoor, Burhakaba, Tieglow and Wajid. Items traded
include rice, flour, pasta, sugar, clothes, sesame, fodder, fruits and vegetables and livestock.
Sometimes milk and ghee are also on sale. However, the number, access and options of
marketing hubs for livestock, food and non-food commodities are limited. The indicative
monthly income per household is between 200 and 250 USD, which is extremely low and
does not allow for savings. Few people have access to financial credit. Farmland and
livestock are by far the most important assets.

Despite the progress made over the past years the morbidity and mortality rates remain high,
also in comparison with the rest of Somalia. Major health problems are malaria, tuberculosis,
maternal health, nutritional disorders and diarrhea. Women in the poor families have an equal
share in decisions regarding the management of household assets (livestock) and also conduct
approximately 50% of the household’s livestock sales.

Livelihoods

Four livelihoods systems are dominant:

 Pastoralism: About 55% of the rural population is engaged in livestock rearing. On
average, pastoralist households hold a herd of between 12 and 25 goats. When there is
a surplus pastoralist’s sale milk and ghee.

 Agro-pastoralists, comprising about 30% of the rural population, pursue a mixed
livelihood system wherein they are engaged in livestock herding and rain fed crop
farming (maize and sorghum).

 Farmers living a settled existence produce rain fed crops for consumption and trade
(15% of the rural population)

 Urban residents making a living from formal and informal employment

The percentages of households involved in the different livelihood systems are highly
variable over the project area, as this is strongly dependent on the suitability of lands for crop
production, the distance to markets and local traditions. Migration towards larger
agglomerations is increasingly taking place. The rural population searches for daily laborer
jobs to supplement and diversify their income.

Without exception livelihoods have suffered a series of shocks in recent years, some natural
(drought, livestock disease) others political (violent conflicts between clans, a crackdown on
illegal trade, bans on import and export of livestock and products).

Vulnerability

The project area is extremely disaster prone. Communities are vulnerable in multiple aspects,
such as food and water insecurity, droughts and flash floods. According to the communities

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 15

environmental degradation and health problems, such as malaria, are amongst the main
threats. Hydro-meteorological hazards, resource-based, clan and political conflicts, land
degradation, and the lack of coping mechanisms and adaptive capacities are amongst the root-
causes of vulnerability. Sedentarisation and the move toward rain fed agriculture are
aggravating the dependency on rainfall. Most crises in the zone are protracted, persistent and
regular. Very limited effort is being made towards systematic disaster risk reduction.

1.5 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to improve response to drought emergency for the rural
and urban communities in South West State by providing critical data and information on
strategic water supply sources (Surface and groundwater), and validate the status of existing
water sources in terms of (i) their functionality (ii) management of the water systems and (iii)
institutional capacity to operate and maintain existing and or new water services. The data
would at the same time feed into sector policy & strategy improvements at the macro and
meso levels. More specifically, the project will focus to provide the information needed to
obtain a comprehensive understanding of the status, dimension and management of the water
resources in the area.

Specific objectives include:

 Identify, accounting and determine the spatial distribution of existing water sources
infrastructure and their status across El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa,
Dinsoor, Buur Hakaba and Afgooye districts;

 Document the status of the water point sources concerning their function and use,
physical parameters, water quality, demand and supply;

 Operational status (functionality) including time for non-functionality, reasons for
non-functionality and details of recent major repairs;

 Number of HH/population served/hinterland of each specific water source and how
far people will travel to use it;

 Areas identified with no/low coverage for water access;
 Improve the national database of the water sources;
 Improve the knowledge base and facilitate access to information on water resources;
 Recommend technical solution for improving the scale up/establishment of a water

source located strategically in each district to ensure Jilaal season access for
communities in target districts.

1.6 Purpose of the Report

This report gives a state-wide picture of South West State natural groundwater and surface
water resources together with assessment of current and future needs for various water
uses. It covers all of the water resources (boreholes, shallow wells, springs, berkads and earth
dams) where there is some level of water demand and answers the following questions:

 Where are the water resources?

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 16

 How is water used?
 What is the water quality?
 What are the considerations in accessing the resource?
 How much technical information do we have on the water resource?

Chapter two of the document gives a brief overview of the methodology. Chapter three
describes in more detail the survey procedure. Harmonization and analysis of data are
discussed in chapter four, while chapter five presents the technical and logistical challenges.
Finally, the conclusions and recommendations are presented in chapter six. Directions for
strategic planning and management of water resources are also proposed through pilot
projects at targeted areas. These projects include water harvesting, groundwater development,
management of aquifer recharge in alluvial and fractured aquifers, conjunctive use of surface
and groundwater and integrated watershed management.

The report also outlines the urgent need for capacity development, research and development,
monitoring networks and water information system. Water governance is an important issue
which is also tackled in the report by reviewing the current governance set-up and proposed
directions for improvement. Several appendixes to the document contain district maps
generated from the data.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 17

2. Methodology & Information

Sources

To achieve the objectives of the study, the assessment was started by a desk studies to pre-
select and collect existing ancillary data, baseline information and background on water
recourses, environmental and socioeconomic characteristics and to identify and analyze
relevant material. Community members, local elders and users for the exits water sources
were interviewed during the field survey. Further interviews were conducted in with local
government, NGO’s and private agencies working in the area. The following sections will
outline the overall methodology and individual tasks that have been used.

2.1 Planning for Filed Survey

The core themes, content, structure and overall design of field survey were developed based
on the overall concept for the assessment aimed at providing a comprehensive reference
document on water resources in the study area. Core themes were selected to allow for a
comprehensive characterization of the water resources and prevailing water uses (water
resources management and use).

The success of field data collection requires careful preparation. Prior the survey, training of
GSA staff was conducted in GSA office in Mogadishu. Training included skills for taking
grid references using a Geographical Positioning System for mapping, collection of both
qualitative and quantitative data using ODK and GIS software’s, focus group discussions and
other participatory methodologies. The training covered the technical and logistical aspects of
the survey. Planning meeting took place in Mogadishu in 10th December 2017, in this
meeting the survey area was divided to two parts. Part one for Bay and Bakool data update
and part two for Afgooye district field survey. In each of these parts, a survey was carried out
by several enumerators headed by a team leader.

The prevailing security conditions could not allow for the survey team cover wide areas in
Afgooye district of lower Shebelle region. The fieldwork in Afgooye actually paused several
times due security situation. However, there were off-limit areas for the security reasons to
the survey team in the region. Initial consultations were took place in the field with the
various members of the community, including elders, women and local authorities by GSA
team during the survey.

The Refreshment Training Include:

 Hand training on use of Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments and digital
GPS cameras, GIS;

 Hand training on use of a multi-meter to measure the basic water quality parameters;
pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), temperature and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS);

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 18

 Hand training on of water dip meters to measure the depth of water in shallow wells
and boreholes and;

 Filling of the standard field data collection forms;
 Hand training on use ODK Collect mobile phone software and filling the data form.

The collation of existing data involved visits to various Governmental and non-Governmental
Offices at Nairobi, Baidoa, Afgooye and Mogadishu. The search focused on water resources-
related data/information in South West State of Somalia in general and the target districts in
particular. The collection of field data included technical data as well as other relevant
information.

2.2 Community Sensitization

During the first week of the project governmental offices in Afgooye district were contacted
since the assessment in the rest of the areas depends only on re-analysis of recent SWALIM
data, no new field work done in Bay and Bakool regions. To avoid raising anxiety and
suspicion, the work started after we received the work permission letter from Afgooye
District Commissioner. GSA community development officer moved across the villages in
Afgooye district to inform the local authorities by the survey and purpose why it was being
carried out. The sensitization exercise cleared the way for the survey teams to start the
exercise. The local authorities not engaged in the survey due to the fragile and unpredictable
security situation in most areas of south-central Somalia.

2.3 Actual Survey

a) Office Data Collection

One of the first steps in the assessment was to identify the scope and type of information that
would constitute the database, including profiles of the geology, hydrogeology and rainfall of
the region as well as specific technical and geographical information on specific water
resources and schemes in the target districts. Linked to this was an exercise to identify the
documentary resources that already existed with the relevant government departments,
technical agencies, NGO’s and drilling companies.

During the first week of the assessment governmental and non-governmental offices in
Afgooye were contacted. Among those contacted was the Ministry of Water Resources and
The Somalia Water and Land Information Management – SWALIM. SWALIM project is a
long term program aimed at enabling Somali institutions to provide crucial information on
water, land resources and meteorological information in an effective and efficient manner for
use in rehabilitation and development, national planning and decision making. The project is
implemented with technical and managerial support from the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

b) Database Design, Development and Data Entry

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 19

Development of data entry formats for various types of water sources such as boreholes,
shallow wells, dams, berkeds and ponds as well as related water equipment (pumps,
generators, etc.) was undertaken in consultation with experts from the SWALIM and used as
its basis formats already in use. This allowed the easy incorporation of information held on
the existing databank built up by GSA and SWALIM in recent years. A user friendly and
flexible database on ODK software was designed and implemented again using the basic
dataset and database framework already established and in use with SWALIM. Data collected
both from field and other sources were included in the database along with the information
from the existing database of SWALIM.

The survey form has a wide range of parameters includes the following:

• Location of water source including GPS readings and information on whether the
water source is located in an urban or rural area.

• General information including year of construction and source of funding, operational
status (functionality) and estimated number of households and livestock served.

• Physical parameters of point water source including depth, static water level…etc. of
the source.

• Water supply and distribution network
• Physiochemical water characteristics: pH, EC, temperature, TDS
• Current ownership and management of the water source.
• Operational status (functionality) including time for non-functionality, reasons for

non-functionality /non-use, reasons for reduced functionality and details of recent
major repairs/replacements.

c) Field Data Collection:

The limited duration of the assessment and other aspects such as relatively better accessibility
and availability of information were among the points considered in the selection of the target
villages for field survey. Initially, El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere, Baidoa, Dinsoor,
Buur Hakaba and Afgoye were selected as the target areas for the collection of specific data.
After the initial preparations and training, the field data collection in Afgooye took place
between 15th and 25th of December 2017.

The collection of data in Afgooye district was the most challenging exercise of all the
activities envisaged in the assessment with the current security situation, use of cameras, GPS
handsets and smart phones was particularly considered very risky and the identification of
specific localities very tricky even for someone who is familiar with an area. The virtual
absence of proper roads between villages, and hence the need to drive on extremely rough
tracks, made the collection of data even more difficult. It was recognized early on that
working with someone who is familiar with the area to be surveyed and the local people was
essential.

Field team members carried out the data collection divided into two teams, each comprising
one team leader and three to five team members. The teams were supplied with the all

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 20

necessary equipment’s. All data were collected using ODK Collect phone software (Some of
the data collected without pictures). This allowed the continuous monitoring of the data
collection process (e.g. number of questionnaires completed by each enumerator at any given
time; GPS coordinates of the location where each questionnaire was administered; time
needed for completing each questionnaire; collected data etc.).

The use of ODK software helped ensure data quality, consistency and traceability. Also, it
eliminated the need for data entry since the data from uploaded questionnaires were
automatically arranged in one common dataset. In addition to the above GSA collected
valuable primary data directly from the field including hydrology, hydrogeology, geology,
land use and land cover, and therefore the assessment aims to achieve the following key
results:

1. Mapping of existing water infrastructure in El Barde, Xudur, Wajid, Qansadhere,
Baidoa, Dinsoor, Buur Hakaba and Afgooye, and water infrastructure and access
needs, particularly at towns in South West State that could serve as service hubs and
in places of origin that are secure enough for returnees to resettle there.

2. Ways of improving water quality and functioning of water sources in the target areas
through ecosystem-based actions that are gender sensitive and diversify livelihood
assets;

3. Local ways of improving capacity of communities and formal resource management
institutions to sustainably manage water resources within the areas;

4. How to enhance knowledge and skills of local communities to implement climatic
adaptation, innovation and change within institutions so as to minimize the impacts of
drought communities.

5. Ways of greater coordination between multi-sectoral institutions to help improves on
harmonization of water resources management plans and interventions;

6. Institutional frame work and awareness creation among policy makers on
management approaches through learning based on past or present project
experiences.

The survey has collected other parameters, such as quality (physical and chemical properties),
discharge and the impact of development and has considered them in the overall assessment.
Where relevant, issues pertaining to these other parameters are highlighted in the assessment,
particularly those that may concern human development. All parameters of hydrogeology
collected by the survey are included in the final database delivered in GIS format.

2.4 Coordination and Monitoring of the Survey Teams

The survey teams composed of two to three enumerators. A local guide was hired in any
district and village visited to help identify the strategic water sources and also act as a link to
the community. The teams were under the guidance of GSA project manager, while the
overall field activity was coordinated by GSA’s hydrologist. During the survey, GSA project
manager, in close communication with the teams in the field. The teams would report on

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 21

progress made in the previous day(s) and the plan for the next day(s). GSA project manager
provided the link between the survey teams and SomRep’s office in Nairobi.

2.5 Data Processing:

The data received from the field were checked for any mistakes in filling data, and other
types of mistakes. The identified errors were clarified through phone calls to the survey
teams. The next stage of the study was to process the raw data inputs into accurate
interpretation in the study area. Special method used for data processing and the analyses
were done on the following areas:

⸭ Spatial coverage and distribution of water sources
⸭ Utilization of the sources by different users
⸭ Operational status of water sources
⸭ Variation in water characteristics and physical parameters
⸭ Supply and distribution
⸭ Water Source management

The main output of processing is base maps based on the administrative units of regions and
districts, which was used during subsequent stages to conduct modeling and eventually
mapping. The special method treats, georeferences, integrates, validates and interprets raw
data inputs into a consolidated, accurate representation. In simplified terms, special
algorithms and processing methods are used.

In addition to generating base maps, the processing also entails the digitization, collation and
filtering of all collected data into GIS formatting. GSA has ensured the “georeferencing” of
data according to the latest revision of the World Geodetic System standard for cartography,
geodesy and navigation (WGS 1984 datum in geographic coordinates). A dual GIS system
based on vectors and rasters developed. This is an essential step in processing since it allows
for GIS mapping layers to be built, but also aids in database archiving later on. Also, multiple
back-ups will be created throughout the conversion and processing. GSA has cross-checked
all data for consistency and standards and eliminated all remaining redundancies.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 22

3. Water Resources Assessment

3.1 Existing water infrastructure

Access to water

Limited reliable data is available on water demand and supply in the project area. The data
depicted in Figure 3.1 was retrieved from the field inventory. Though it might not be
complete, it provides a good first insight in the distribution of water sources. To complete the
visualization, proposed water development sites to be implemented by SomRep.

Water resources are not evenly distributed around South West State of Somalia, particularly
in rural areas where women and children travel long distances to a water source in the dry
season to collect water for domestic and livestock use. There are no permanent natural
surface water sources in the project area, except Afgooye district where is Dhabelle River is
passing. Communities mainly use water from shallow wells and scoop holes in dry river beds,
berkads4, boreholes and balleys5 (traditional community ponds in natural depressions). In the
study area berkads and balleys predominate. In and nearby Shabelle River hand dug wells, at
times equipped with pumps, are common.

In general, women and children are responsible for fetching water. Water access, also in
comparison with national averages, is poor. Few sources are available, and many are non-
functional. During the wet season most communities can collect water from nearby balleys,
berkads and shallow wells. During the dry season trips up to six hours have to be undertaken
to collect water because water levels drop.

Groundwater in South West State is more readily available than other water resources during
the long dry season. At least 80% of the population depends almost entirely on groundwater
for most of their water needs. According to the data collected from the field, water tables are
receding deeper, and springs and wells are discharging smaller amounts of water or
completely drying up. Water is mostly used for domestic purposes and watering livestock.
Only in communities nearby the floodplains of Shabelle River and in some areas in Bay and
Bakool region some water is used for irrigation purposes (Fig 3.2).

4 Berkad in normal circumstances, is traditional way to harvest and store rainwater for human and animal consumptions. Berkads are

usually family owned and are well managed. The size of the Berkads according to the need and resources available to the owners but
generally 20 m long, 8 m wide and 4 m deep Branches generally cover the top of the reservoirs to limit the evaporation. Water is fetched
from Berkads using a bucket-on-a-rope system. Hygienic conditions of the Berkads are very poor
5 Wars (also called balley, water pan, ponds or dams) are commonly used to collect surface (rain) water from small catchments of 2 to 3

km². Some are natural depressions, while others are man-made. The man-made ones are done by hand or by earth moving machines, mainly
1–2 m deep with a surface area of hundreds to thousands of square meters

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 23

Water quality

Water quality is a major problem. Boreholes provide safe water, but there are few and often
communities have to pay to use them. Water quality in the river beds declines during the dry
season. As the water level lowers in the bed, less and less water is available, and the taste and
smell deteriorate. In turn, water from ponds is very susceptible to contamination, especially
because of livestock entering the facilities. Further, berkads or dams in the project area are
mostly uncovered, without a silt trap, filtration or any other water treatment mechanism,
which results in high degrees of contamination and loss of water through evaporation. Low
water quality has multiple and severe impacts on livelihoods. The time spent on fetching
water is high, water-borne and water related diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria are
prevalent, and the recurrence of losses of crops and livestock is high.

During the field trip the water pond at Xudur was visited. At the time of visiting ladies were
fetching water for drinking and cooking. The ladies told the delegation that the pond had been
recently rehabilitated by the community. When full the pond is approximately 1 meter deep.
During the dry season the pond dries up, and the community starts collecting water from
nearby berkads. Berkads are subsurface cisterns where water from rock catchments is
collected. After emptying the berkads, the only source of water is a borehole further away- a
round trip takes three hours. The ladies acknowledge that they use the water for all domestic
purposes; no treatment is applied. Water shortages are one of the major challenges faced by
their community.

A major issue with these open facilities is water quality. The ponds are open and unprotected.
Livestock enters the ponds for drinking, while the community does not apply any treatment
before consuming the collected water. There are few alternatives, however. Water-borne and
water related diseases are common. From interviews it became clear that community
members’ awareness and understanding of water safety is very limited.
To alleviate the community’s conditions SomRep aims to construct a number of water
sources. In view of these plans, it is recommended to include water treatments facilities in the
design, such as infiltration galleries, and sensitize communities about water quality and
protection of water sources.

Infrastructure

Field observation and focus group discussions indicate that a large number of water structures
are non-functional, often broken-down due to poor maintenance. Siltation and eutrophication
are the most visible challenges. These are often forebears of worse. Many sources are
contaminated with human and animal faeces, and thereby probably loaded with large
numbers of life-threatening pathogens. To improve the sustainability of water infrastructure it
is recommended to pay more attention to participatory planning, design and construction, and
consider protection and maintenance from the very start of programs and projects onwards.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 24

Figure 3.1: The main water sources in the project area. These sources are often unable to
provide a reliable water supply in both quantity and quality. Many of the improved water
sources are non-functional.

Figure 3.2 Different types of water sources present in the project area. From left to right:
balley, berkad, lined and unlined shallow well and borehole.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 25

3.2 Surface Water Resources:

Over half of the State is desert landscape characterized by internal drainage system, where
there are no perennial streams in the study area except Shebelle River in east part of the State
(Afgooye area) and is well utilized for water supply and irrigation schemes.

Figure 3.3 Surface water bodies, flooding areas and Hydro-ID used for rainfall-runoff
calculations. For both Shabelle and Jubba Rivers applies that floodplains and wetlands play
an essential role in regulating flows and supplying groundwater for agriculture and domestic
use.

Shabelle and Jubba are perennial streams (Fig 3.3) and their catchment is characterized by a
clayey river bed, wide streambeds and floods during periods of heavy rain-fall. For both
rivers applies that floodplains and wetlands play an essential role in regulating flows and
supplying (shallow) groundwater for agriculture and domestic use. The most important
district lying within the Shabelle Basin is Afgooye, the average flow of Shabelle River at
Afgooye is 0.75 – 2.0 billion cubic meters.

The swamp areas (wetland) which are fed by Shabelle could have high ecological value in
terms of habitat for flora and fauna as well as recharge areas of the groundwater aquifers
lying in the area. The river forms many meanders throughout its course. This is also a very
well developed agricultural zone. The extensive level of farming is visible on both sides of
the river.

Comprehensive HydroGeophysical Assessment for Selected Locations in Puntland State, Somalia – GSA, 2017 26

The drainage network in the project area part of the basin is thin and virtually non-existent.
The small streams called toggas (wadis) with small catchment area of ephemeral type, where
there is a flow only during heavy rainfall. The surface runoff lasts from a few hours to a few
days. The subsurface flow of toggas is often tapped by many shallow wells, being an
important source of water for people and livestock in the region. Due to lack of monitoring,
wadis discharge volumes; flow durations and water quality have never been gauged. After
intense rainfall, most of these small streams can carry high floods and debris and flow
towards the Indian Ocean.

Shebelle River flow in Afgooye remains almost the same in several months, other than
January to March when they are low. The river channel at this point is shallow, and easily
reaches bank full even when the flows upstream are not so high. A recent study by SWALIM
and Mott McDonald (2015) in Middle Shabelle identified that the irrigation infrastructure is
in poor operational condition. This has significantly affected the agricultural production in
the region. The potential of the flood plains remains, however, and all that is required for
their full exploitation is to restore the dilapidated infrastructure.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 27

3.3 Geology and groundwater potential

The distribution, movement and quality of groundwater in the soil and rocks are strongly
linked to landscape’s geological characterization. Groundwater follows pressure gradients
often through fractures and conduits. Water quality is the result of the chemical, physical,
biological and, at times, anthropogenic interactions between water, soil, rocks and vegetation.

At least 80% of the population of the project area depends almost entirely on groundwater
(deep boreholes, shallow wells and springs) for most of their water needs. Shallow
groundwater can be found near-surface, mainly in alluvial aquifers, reaching to a depth of 5-
50 m. Deep groundwater can be found in sandstone, karsted (fractured limestone) aquifers,
and in conductive fractures in otherwise impervious rocks (Fig 3.4). South West State has
three basic hydrogeological units, the deep sedimentary basins of Limestone/Sandstone
aquifers, the Wadi Alluvial aquifers and the fractured aquifers of the Basement Complex.

Figure 3.4: Simplified geology and groundwater potential. The sandy alluvium along the
valley has a high potential for shallow groundwater and can be exploited using shallow wells.

The main hydro-geological basins/aquifers in the study area adapted from Faillace and
Faillace (1987) are:

Basement Complex Aquifer

The Basement Complex in the Buur Area is a well-defined hydrogeological province, which
due to its position and characteristics has an influence on the groundwater movement in

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 28

Xuddur-Bardheere Aquifer. The rocks found in the basement complex are mainly granites,
quartzite, micashists and marble. Mantle of red lateritic sand resulting from deep weathering
of underlying rocks and alluvial formations deposited by numerous streams are also common.

Recharge occurs mainly with rainfall and from runoff water along toggas. Little recharge
occurs in large areas covered by black alluvial clay, and water found in such clays is usually
salty. Much of the groundwater is found along the toggas in alluvial deposits and weathered
basement where recharge conditions are good. Groundwater flows mainly along the major
surface drainage pattern. The groundwater bodies are small and discontinuous, most of which
are locally recharged. Small amounts of water can also be found in the rock fractures, though
salinity of the water is generally high.

Xudur-Bardheere Aquifer

Recharge in this basin occurs along the Baidoa escarpment through the joints of stratification
and the Karstic areas through the sinkholes where rainfall and runoff water infiltrates rapidly
(Faillace and Faillace, 1987). Recharge is good at the areas covered by the Baidoa Jurrasic
limestone, and almost zero at the areas covered by residual clay which is impermeable.
Underground flow starts from the Baidoa plateau and continues in the northeast and
northwest direction. There are numerous springs along the Baidoa escarpment due to the
draining of a narrow belt of the limestone formation cut by several small faults. Underground
flow is locally inverted towards the escarpment by the small faults.

Baidoa Formation which surrounds the Basement Complex to the west, east and north has a
high potential for groundwater. The depth of water increases from the edge of the escarpment
towards the north. At Baidoa, water level is 5m, whereas at the contact point with Canoole
Formation the level is 50m. The levels are 70m and 120 m for Ufurow and War Caasha
respectively. Water quality in the Baydhabo is generally of good quality, with EC values
ranging between 650 and 1500 µohms/cm. The other formations with water potential are
Garbahaarrey, Cambar and the Main Gypsum Formations. The good groundwater potential in
the area is also evident from the dense settlement in the area.

Coastal Aquifer

This groundwater aquifer system extends from the lower reaches of the Juba and Shabelle
river basins to the coastal areas in the South. Recharge of groundwater at the coastal basin
occurs as a result of direct rainfall, Juba and Shabelle Rivers, and underground flow, runoff
and underground flow from the basement complex.

Although little has been documented concerning the large swamps (wetlands) which the
Shabelle River feed, it would be a potential source of recharge of the coastal aquifers which
supply vital fresh water resources to the important towns located in the coastal areas in the
south. Major recharge occurs only in certain areas where there are sand or sandy clay
deposits. Flow in the Shabelle Valley area is influenced by the Bandar-Jalalaqsi fault. The
recharge is good and groundwater is of fairly good quality. Sand deposits exist to a depth of
200m.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 29

Upper and Middle Shabelle valley

Upper Shabelle is characterized by a broad valley delimited by geological formations
composed of mainly limestone, gypsum, marl s and sandstone. The Middle Shabelle valley
consists mainly of clay and sandy clay overlaying gravel and clay layers. The groundwater
movement in the riparian areas of the Shabelle River is along the river. The main formations
are the Cretaceous Formations which supply water of marginal to salty quality, and the
Alluvial Deposits which yield good to marginal quality water.

Potential groundwater development areas

Faillace and Faillace (1987) recommended certain areas that had good potential for
groundwater development across the project area (Fig 3.4). These are based on the
hydrogeological and water quality suitability, using data of wells available at the time (Table
3.1). Other factors important for groundwater development such as the potential for grazing,
agriculture and population distribution were not included in the assessment of these areas.

It should be noted that data on the nature, thickness and extension of aquifers are missing and
only water quality information and descriptive information of the geological characteristics
are available. The groundwater potential areas show that the well depths are in the range of
100-220 m. In addition to these deep wells that harness the deep aquifers in the region, water
is also used from sub-surface layers at shallow depths along the various toggas and small
streams.

Table 3.1: Areas with good Groundwater Potential in project area:

No Area District Remarks
Baidoa
1 Baidoa Plateau- Based on records of drilled wells, good
Area north of Baidoa potential and can even be used for
Baidoa supplementary irrigation
Baidoa Based on well data along the perimeter of the
2 Baidoa Plateau- area, additional wells required for further
Area north-east of Wajid assessment
Baidoa Less favorable than areas 1 and 2 above

3 Baidoa Plateau- Several faults, folds, karst holes and
Area south-west of Depressions provide fast recharge conditions
Baidoa Generally good water quality for dug wells and
shallow drilled wells, water salinity increases
4 Wajid Area towards the coast
Good shallow aquifers along major toggas and
5 Shabelle River- Afgooye drainage network good for recharge; surface
Alluvial area water and groundwater dams can also be made
to store water in stream beds, water quality
6 Buur Area Buur varying from place to place
Hakaba

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 30

Groundwater Recharge

Without an extensive measurement campaign, analysis of boreholes data and development of
specific groundwater models activities it is difficult to determine exact groundwater recharge.
Experience with similar landscapes from other arid and semi-arid lands provide some
indications.

Given that part of the area is characterized by basement rocks, groundwater recharge will
probably be in the range of a few dozens of mm/year, which could sustainably support a
limited number of 1 to 2 m3/hour-boreholes for small settlements in rural areas. Further
southwards, groundwater recharge in karsified limestone could equal 100 to 150 mm/day,
which would be sufficient for supporting highly productive boreholes.

Close to seasonal streams and Shebelle, where sandy alluvium predominates, shallow
groundwater concentrates due to high transmissivity and the valley’s topography. It is well
possible that abstractions of 5 to 10 m3/hour are possible in these areas. In the some areas in
Shabelle corridor groundwater recharge is probably severely limited by the high clay content
of the Cenozoic alluvium and colluvium. Experts expect recharge rates of a few dozens of
mm/year. The large area and slight inclination of the plateau could, however, result in large
amounts of groundwater being available at specific spots.

All numbers are indicative. Detailed information on the vertical extents, saturated
thicknesses, the hydrogeological characteristics, recharge sources and recharge mechanisms,
water balance components and exchange of flow between surface and groundwater or
between aquifers themselves in the different basins are not available. Considerable work is
needed to fill in these information gaps.

Toward a more robust water supply

There is a need to further develop and promote low cost water technology such as shallow
wells, sand and subsurface dams, solar and hand pumps, but the functionality, safety and
accessibility of the water sources should receive as much attention. Field observations
indicate that many interventions fail. A possible reason for this may lie in the fact that
managers sometimes jump to implementation without proper (integrated) assessments,
preparatory activities and without considering sufficient integration of socio-institutional and
biophysical worlds, operation and maintenance, and local conditions. Based on these
impressions, it is recommended to

⸭ Improve the protection of sources through a combination of improved hardware and
soft measures (regulations, by-laws),

⸭ Pay more attention to sitting, and
⸭ Hire technical expertise so that the sustainability of structures is increased.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 31

4. Water Points Distribution per

Districts

Water resources information in this part of the report is presented for the 8 districts (Baidoa,
Dinsoor, Qansadhere Buur Hakaba, El Barde, Xudur, Wajid and Afgooye,). For each district,
information for surface water and groundwater resources is organized into the water resource
management areas and resources. Water quantity information also presented as tables
showing surface water and groundwater resources. Water quality information is presented as
maps showing average water quality for surface water and groundwater resources. This report
is a snapshot in time. The information provided was accurate as at December 2017, and more
recently where it has been subsequently updated through an allocation planning process.

Figure 3.5: Target districts described in the report

Five golden indicators, namely Access, Functionality, Management, Reliability and water
quality have been assessed and reported on in this report. Several standard maps, charts,
tables and figures are presented. In addition to this, standard naming conventions will be
applied to all maps, charts and tables in the report.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 32

4.1 Baidoa Water Resources Inventory

Baidoa is capital of South West State; a strategic town in south-central Somalia situated on
the edge of limestone plateau. Baidoa district occupies an area of about 13,247 km2. Baidoa
town is divided into four quarters, namely Isha, Berdaale, Horseed and, Hawl Wadaag.
According to the UNDP in 2014 the population of Baidoa was 415,4726, Because of the
combined effects of drought and on-going crisis in the region, Baidoa have experienced a
considerable population increase in the recent years, leading to a chronic humanitarian
situation and major displacements of population, as of 17 May 2017, 142,475 IDPs recorded
in Baidoa town in 247 sites (IOM, 2017).

The climate is considered semi-arid with moderate diurnal and seasonal variations. The
average annual rainfall in Baidoa is 577 mm (March to June/October to December). The main
annual temperature is 26.3 degrees. The relative humidity lies between 65% and 75%.

Present Water Supply

Comparing by other district in the Bay region, Baidoa town is blessed by abundant water
supplied by many water resources. The district has grown progressively around these
resources. However, in recent years, with the large increase in the population it was necessary
to add new water sources for the town and surround villages.

Types and distribution of Assessed Water Points:

At the present there are four water sources for the district which include shallow wells,
boreholes, springs and rain water harvesting storages (Fig 4.1). A short description for
distribution of these water sources is given in table 4.1.

6 https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Somalia/UNDP-POP-RURAL-URBAN%202005.pdf

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 33

Figure 4.1: Location map of assessed water points in Baidoa district

Table 4.1: Types and distribution of assessed water points in Baidoa district:

Region Bay Borehole Shallow Well Dam Spring Total

District: Baidoa # 69 361 619 3 1042

% 6.6 33.7 59.4 0.3 100

Spring 0.3%

Dam 59.4%

Dug Well 33.7%

Borehole 6.6%

Figure 4.2: Percentage of water sources distribution in Baidoa District

From the summary table, it is clear that rain water catchments (Dams) and shallow wells are
the dominant water sources in Baidoa district. They cover more than 59.4% and 33.7%
respectively of the strategic water points in the district. There are a considerable number of
boreholes as well, with their percentages given as 6.6%. Springs are the minority, occupying
only about 0.3% of the total sources. In total, the surveyors assessed 1042 water sources in
Baidoa district, 59.4% of them are seasonally work.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 34

1. Accessibility and Operational Status

Access to safe water is the percentage of people within 5 km (rural) and 2 km (urban) of an
improved water source. The calculation is based on the estimated number of people served
per each type of water source (Fig 4.3). This number is then multiplied by the total number of
that source type existing in a particular area to get the total number of people served in that
area.

Calculations are undertaken at village level, with the final step of the calculation process
involving an adjustment or a “capping” of the figures to ensure that improved water sources
in a particular village do not serve more than 95% of the population. The capping is done to
avoid unrealistically high coverage figures at village level.

Figure 4.3: Water sources, accessibility and operational status Baidoa District

Water source information presented in this map is based on available water points assessed.
Therefore, water source coverage and operational status level change over time. Approximate
area falls inside 1 km or 2 km accessibility zones are treated as accessible & fall outside are
treated as not accessible.

Accessibility buffers and ratio of area access within buffers are derived only for operational
water points. Accessibility is based on aerial distance, assumed that people travel most direct
route in plain area. 69.2% of the total area of Baidoa district is not covered by protected water
source, especially the northern, eastern and southern parts of the district.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 35

2. Users of Assessed Water Points:

The users of these sources were categorized as urban, rural and nomadic users. Majority of
the sources are in rural areas, where the usage is either nomadic or for other rural needs,
mainly domestic and for livestock. The rural users of all sources surveyed amounted to
46.06%, Urban 4.43% and Nomadic 49.81% (Table 4.2). Some sources are used by both
nomadic and rural users.

Table 4.2: Number of water point by user’s types:

District Borehole Shallow Well Dam Spring

Baidoa Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom
% 39 25 36 8 350 351 2 31 586 12 2
39 25 36 1.1 49.4 49.5 0.3 5.0 94.7 20 40 40

Borehole Dug well Dam Spring Nom 40% 94.7%
Rur 40%
Urb 20

Nom 5.0% 49.5%
Rur 0.3% 49.4%
Urb
1.1% 36.0%
Nom 25.0%
Rur
Urb 39.0%

Nom
Rur
Urb

Figure 4.4: Users of all water sources surveyed

Looking at different types of water sources (Table 4.2), the analysis indicated that rainwater
catchments and dug wells are highly utilized by rural and nomadic users, with boreholes in
high preference among urban populations. Dams are barely used in urban areas, but the rural
people rely on them for their water needs.

3. Functionality of Water Points:

Functionality is the number of functioning improved water sources divided by the total
number of improved water sources. For the different types of water sources surveyed, the
functionality was analyzed under three categories namely: (1) Functional sources; (2) Non
Functional sources; (3) Abandoned sources. Functional water sources are those found
operational and able to produce water at the time of the spot check. Sources which are
Functional (not in use) are considered as functional if the downtime is less than 1 years or not
specified. Sources not operating for 1 or more years are assumed to be abandoned, and hence
are not included in the calculation.

Majority of the sources visited are operational, few are not operational for some reason, and a
small number is abandoned (Table 4.3). The functionalities of Boreholes, shallow and dug
wells are calculated to be 71.01% and 86.89% respectively and 92.73% for the surface dams.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 36

Table 4.3 Functionality of assessed water points in Baidoa district

District Borehole Shallow Well Dam Spring

Baidoa F* NF* AB* F NF AB F NF AB F NF AB
Functionality (%)
49 10 10 305 26 20 574 30 15 3 - -

71.01 86.89 92.73 100.00

Spring 100 % Low Yield 25.86%
Dam 92.73 % Dry 17.24%
86.89 % Tech Breakdown 8.62
Dug well 71.01 % Water Qlty 43.10
Borehole Other 5.17

Figure 4.5: Functionality and Reasons for Non-Functionality of assessed water points

Rainwater catchments, springs and dug wells had the highest operational functionality,
though this could be because it is one of the preferred source types mainly to the rural and
nomadic users. The other factor could be the relatively cheaper repair and maintenance as
compared to boreholes, which are occasionally abandoned in case of a major break down due
to the cost implications.

Reasons for non-functionality were categorized as low yield (25.86%), technical breakdown
(8.62%), dry (17.2%), water quality (43.10%) and other (5.17%). Majority of the sources are
in rural areas are not working due to water quality, dryness or technical problems and lack of
regular rehabilitation.

4. Reliability of Water Points:

Water reliability may vary by season, by year, and by location. The reliability of water
sources in the surveyed water sources was analyzed based on Permanent (P), None
Permanent (NP) and Unknown (UN) status of the water sources. Results of this analysis are
presented in table 4.4.

Table 4.4: Reliability of water sources according to source types

District Borehole Shallow Well Dam Spring
Baidoa
P* NP* UN* P NP UN P NP UN P NP UN
Number of points 28 21 20 168 163 20 - 574 45 3 - -

5. Management

The management indicator gives the ratio of communally managed water sources in rural
areas with a functioning Water Source Committee to those with any Water Source
Committee. A Water Source Committee is defined to be functional if it at least it collects fees

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 37

or undertakes repairs or holds meetings around the source, only protected springs, boreholes
and shallow wells are considered and only if they are functional and in use (Table 4.5). The
management of water sources in the surveyed water sources was analyzed based on
community, private and other management.

Table 4.5: Management of water points

District Communal Private/Individual Other
Baidoa 43.29 54.25 2.47

Management

Figure 4.6: Management type of assessed water points

6. Interventions Required

It came out from the analysis that only 9.76% of the total water points assessed are currently
not in need for any interventions. The other sources require interventions, 4.88% need
development and cleaning by air compressor, 34.15% of the assessed water points need full
rehabilitation and 51.22% need quick rehabilitation like provision of generators, oil and fuel
(Fig 4.7).

None 9.76 %
Well development 4.88 %
Full rehabilitation
Quick rehabilitation 34.15 %

51.22 %

Figure 4.7: Interventions required for the water points assessed

7. Water Quality

Water quality in Baidoa area is considered “good” in all the water sources examined in the
course of the survey, samples were collected from boreholes, dug wells and springs. The EC
varies from, 750 micomohs/cm to 9430 micomohs/cm (Table 4.6). Regarding to water quality
in rural area, most of interviewees in surveyed villages answered “bad”. The reasons of “bad”
are color, smell and taste. The study revealed that many water points were found exceeding
the WHO standard and it’s unsuitable for drinking purposes. In addition, in some area coli
concentration of dams exceeds the WHO standard despite the low TDS values which indicate
a low pollution level.

Table 4.6: Average of water quality parameters of assessed water points

District PH EC (µS/cm)@ 25⁰C Depth (m) Water level (m)
Baidoa Min Max Min Max
6.3 9.3 Min Max 16 200 Min Max
Borehole 6.2 9.1 9 100
Shallow Well 750 9430 5 18 1 10.8
1000 6940

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 38

The increase in water salinity and the change in water quality during dry months are probably
due to heavily pumping which drains water from surrounding saltier areas. Calcium chloride
water type is found in most of the water sources in the area and it’s controlled by multiple

natural geochemical processes and contamination from surface activities.

General Water Demands

There are two main water sources in the Baidoa district. Rain water and groundwater, and
more than half of the local population are dependent on dug wells or unreliable drilled
boreholes. Along with shallowly dug wells, many rain collecting structures such as wars or
berkads also support the basic water supply. In many places even dug wells are missing and
rain water collectors are the only water sources used. The water and sanitation situation is far
from satisfactory, lack of perennial streams, limited groundwater resources and the increased
salinity of utilized water represent major constrains for current, and – even more importantly
- future sustainable water supply.

Estimation of water demands of any area requires certain basic input parameters such as the
number of inhabitants and livestock, demographic trends, local GDP and infrastructure
development, agricultural and industrial activities and others. In the case of Baidoa district,
we depend on a not fully reliable demographic assessment (UNFPA, 2014) and a few rare
earlier studies that discuss local socio-economy and dependence on food and water sources.

We estimated that “expected daily water demand for most of the investigated villages will be
above 20m3/day being mainly for domestic use. However, during dry seasons, the demand
increases sharply, exceeding 50m3/day especially due to livestock consumption and high
influx of nomadic population. Although most earlier reports consider that some 20
l/person/day (l/p/d) would cover the basic demand of local inhabitants, in our evaluation we
consider 30 l/p/d to be the basic humanitarian demand in the rural areas, while in urban and
semi-urban areas where around 20% of the Baidoa population is located, an equitable specific
consumption is considered to be 50 l/p/d. However, studies show that people who live near
water points use significantly more water - up to 30 l/p/d.

Even though water infrastructure is very poor and not many installed pipelines exist, some
water losses must also be calculated. This additional amount of water does not involve only
standard losses that occur in a waterworks system, but also water which regularly seeps from
intake structures, and from water tanks and ponds used for the water supply to animals.
Therefore, roughly 30% should be added to specific consumption in both urban and rural
areas. Based on UNFPA (2014) statistical data, the basic water demands (30 l/p/d) plus
losses, are as follows (Table 4.7):

Table 4.7: Average of drinking water demands of Baidoa population

District Population Water Losses Total Total
Baidoa (UNFPA, 2014) demands/day/person 30% Demand Demand
m3/day
Water Demand 415,472 0.03 m3/day l/s
16,203.4
187.5

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 39

By applying a correction factor for urban consumers (+0.2 l/p/d x 129,893 inhabitants), total
estimated human drinking water demands are 217.5 l/s. There are no exact figures on the
number of livestock in Baidoa. Neither UNFPA (2014) nor other earlier projects provides
such estimation. Following FAO standards and local climate and land conditions, minimal
water requirements should be 25 l/day for large (cows, camels) and 6 l/day for small animals
(goats, sheep). By approximation, some additional liters 40 per second will be needed to
satisfy the demand. This means that some 257.5 l/s could cover the current water demand in
Baidoa, excluding water needed for irrigation.

One of the challenges to groundwater management is how to restrict priority of use. In a
normal situation, a community water system maintains its operation because of stock
watering, which is the largest consumer with guaranteed revenue. As a result, the situation at
water points is that livestock will often be given priority over domestic needs. Importantly,
the quality of water should be suitable for domestic applications so that once the herder has
watered livestock, his family can also take away water for domestic use.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 40

4.2 Buur Hakaba Water Resources Inventory

Burhakaba is the second largest district in Bay region in South West State, with a reported
population of 160,356 people (UNDP, 2014) and it’s occupies an area of about 18,023 km2.
The district has experienced a considerable population increase and IDP influx in the recent
years due to drought and on-going crisis in the region. Burhakaba town is located 180 km
southwest of the capital Mogadishu and 60 km northeast from the regional center Baidoa.
Burhakaba administrative district encompasses more than 400 villages.

Burhakaba district does not have a permanent river but it has a big valley which surrounds the
town except in the west known as "Bohol wiinti" which supports farming in the area it drains
after the seasonal rainfall. It has a hot semi-arid climate. The average mean temperature is
27.5 C°. But the temperature can reach as high as 36 C° to 39 C° in December and January.
The district is estimated to have an annual rainfall of 462-550 mm (SWALIM, 2017). Given
its strategic location, Burhakaba is a hub for livestock trading.

Present Water Supply

Types and distribution of Assessed Water Points:

Buurhakaba is presently supplied by boreholes, shallow wells, and rain water catchments.
The most reliable source of water in the district is the shallow aquifer which is tapped by
numerous dug wells (Fig 4.8). A short description for distribution of these water sources is
given in table 3.8 below. These traditional hand dug wells vary from 10 to 15 min depth with
E.C ranging from 600 to 8000 micromohs/cm. The wells closest to the foot of the buur
usually have water of better quality. In eighties many boreholes drilled in the district and
most of them are abandoned due to their excessive salinity or low yield.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 41

Figure 4.8: Location Map of Assessed Water Points in Buurhakaba District

Table 4.8: Types and distribution of assessed water points in Buurhakaba district:

Region Bay Borehole Shallow Wells Dam Total
District: Buurhakaba
#2 87 45 134
%
1.5 64.9 33.6 100

Dam 45 Borehole 1.5%
Dug Well 87 Dug Well 64.9%
Borehole Dam 33.6%
2

Figure 4.9: Percentage of water sources distribution in Buurhakaba District

From the summary table, it is clear that shallow wells (64.9%) and rain water catchments
(33.6%) are the dominant water sources in Buurhakaba district. Boreholes are the minority,
only two boreholes assessed in Limale and Warmahan villages, many boreholes drilled in
eighties but most of them are abandoned due to their excessive salinity or low yield. In total,
the surveyors assessed 123 water sources in Buurhakaba district, 56.6% of them are
seasonally work.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 42

1. Accessibility and Operational Status

Access to safe water is the percentage of people within 5 km (rural) and 2 km (urban) of an
improved water source. Water source information presented in this map (Fig 4.10) is based
on available water points assessed. Therefore, water source coverage and operational status
level change over time.

Figure 3.10: Water sources, accessibility and operational status Buurhakaba District

Accessibility is based on aerial distance, assumed that people travel most direct route in plain
area. 83.17% of the total area of Buurhakaba district is not covered by protected water source,
especially the northern, eastern and southern parts of the district.

2. Users of Assessed Water Points:

Majority of the sources are in and around Buurhakaba town. The rural users of all sources
surveyed amounted to 45.3%, Urban 12.4% and Nomadic 42.3% (Table 4.9). Some sources
are used by both nomadic and rural users.

Table 4.9: Number of water point by user’s types:

District Borehole Shallow Wells Dam

Buurhakaba Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom
% 1 2 1 13 74 53 15 30 45
25 50 25 9.3 52.9 37.9 16.7 33.3 50

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 43

Borehole Dug well Dam Nom 16.7% 33.3% 50.0% Urban 12.39%
Rur 37.9% 52.9% Rural 45.30%
Urb Nomad 42.31%
Nom 9.3% 50.0%
Rur
Urb 25.0%
Nom
Rur 25.0%
Urb

Figure 4.11: Users of all water sources surveyed in Buurhakaba District

Looking at different types of water sources (Table 4.9), the analysis indicated that rainwater
catchments and dug wells are highly utilized by rural and nomadic users, with boreholes in
high preference among urban populations. Dams are used in urban and rural people rely on
them for their water needs.

3. Functionality of Water Points:

Only one of the boreholes assessed in the district is functional with not good conditions, few
of the shallow wells are not operational for some reason, and a small number is abandoned
(Table 4.10). The functionalities of boreholes, shallow Wells are calculated to be 71.01% and
86.89% respectively and 92.73% for the surface dams.

Table 4.10 Functionality of assessed water points in Buurhakaba district

District Borehole Shallow Wells Dam

Buurhakaba F* NF* AB* F NF AB F NF AB
Functionality (%) 1 10
61 16 10 13 23 9
50
70.11 28.89

Dam 28.89% Low Yield 21.78%
Dug well Dry 18.81%
Borehole 70.11%% Tech Breakdown 39.60%
Water Qlty 14.85
50.00% Other 4.95

Figure 4.12: Functionality and Reasons for Non-Functionality of assessed water points

Hand dug wells and rainwater catchments had the highest operational functionality, because
it is one of the available source types in the area. Reasons for non-functionality were
categorized as low yield (21.78%), technical breakdown (39.60%), dry (18.81%), water
quality (14.85%) and other (4.95%). Majority of the sources in rural areas are not working
due to water quality, dryness or technical problems and lack of regular rehabilitation.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 44

4. Reliability of Water Points:

The reliability of water sources in the surveyed water sources was analyzed based on
Permanent (P), None Permanent (NP) and Unknown (UN) status of the water sources.
Results of this analysis are presented in table 4.11.

Table 4.11: Reliability of water sources according to source types

District Borehole Dug well Dam
Buurhakaba P NP UN P NP UN
P* NP* UN* 45 32 10 - 45 -
Number of points
1- 1

5. Management

The management of water sources in the surveyed water sources was analyzed based on
community, private and other management (Table 4.12).

Table 4.12: Management of water points

District Communal Private/Individual Other Communal 35.62%
Buurhakaba 130 2 4 Private/Individual 0.55%
Other 1.10%
Management

Figure 4.13: Management type of assessed water points in Buurhakaba District

6. Interventions Required

It came out from the analysis that only 1.37% of the total water points assessed are currently
not in need for any interventions. The other sources require interventions, 2.74% need
development and cleaning by air compressor, 54.79% of the assessed water points need full
rehabilitation and 28.77% need quick rehabilitation like provision of generators, oil and fuel
(Fig 4.15).

None 1.37%
Well development 2.74%
Full rehabilitation
Quick rehabilitation 54.79%

28.77%

Figure 4.14: Interventions required for the water points assessed in Buurhakaba District

7. Water Quality

The most reliable source of water for Buurhakaba is hand dug wells. These wells vary from
10 to 15 m in depth with E.C values ranging from 600 to 8000 micromohs/cm. The wells
closest to the valleys usually have water of better quality. Out of 10 complete analyses of

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 45

hand-dug wells in Buurhakaba reported, 5 wells are of the sodium chloride type, 2 are of the
calcium sulphate type, and 3 are of the sodium bicarbonate type.

Table 4.13: Average of water quality parameters of assessed water points

District PH EC (µS/cm)@ 25⁰C Depth (m) Water level (m)
Buurhakaba Min Max
Min Max Min Max Min Max
Borehole 7 7.2 110 120 78 80
Shallow Well 7.2 8.5 2430 3550 24 89 17 63
850 8100

The increase in water salinity and the change in water quality during dry months are probably
due to heavily pumping which drains water from surrounding saltier areas.

General Water Demands

The main water sources in the Buurhakaba area is groundwater (dug wells and deep
boreholes). Along with groundwater sources, many rain collecting structures such as wars or
berkads also support the basic water supply. In many places even dug wells are missing and
rain water collectors are the only water sources used. Based on UNFPA (2014) statistical
data, the basic water demands (30 l/p/d) plus losses, are as follows (Table 4.14):

Table 4.14: Average of drinking water demands of Buurhakaba population

District Population Water Losses Total Total
demands/day/person 30% Demand Demand
Buurhakaba (UNFPA, 2014) m3/day
0.03 m3/day l/s
Water Demand 160,356 6,253.9
72.4

By applying a correction factor for urban consumers (+0.2 l/p/d x 53,452 inhabitants), total
estimated human drinking water demands are 84.77 l/s.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 46

4.3 Dinsoor Water Resources Inventory

Dinsoor is a district in the southwestern Bay region. Dinsoor has a population of around
96,723 inhabitants (UNDP, 2014) and it’s occupies an area of 9,837 km2. The district has
experienced a considerable population increase and IDP influx in the recent years due to
drought and on-going crisis in the region. Dinsoor town is located 108 km southwest of the
regional center Baidoa.

The climate in Dinsoor is arid with mean annual rainfall estimated to be between 300 to 350
mm. The mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures are 34 and 20 C° (SWALIM,
2017). Road conditions are poor especially during the rainy seasons. Dinsoor district does not
have a permanent river but it has small valleys. Agricultural activities are rather limited.

Present Water Supply

Types and distribution of Assessed Water Points:

Dinsoor relies on 202 water sources assessed include boreholes, shallow wells, and rain water
catchments distributed all over the district. The most reliable source of water in the district is
the shallow aquifer which is tapped by numerous dug wells (Fig 4.15). A short description for
distribution of these water sources is given in table 3.15 below.

Majority of the water sources assessed are hand dug wells distributed all over district. These
wells are mainly for domestic water use. There are also three old boreholes, only one of them
working and all of them need full rehabilitation. All hand dug wells assessed are not lined
with exception of the top parts which is protected by a cement rim and logs. Most of the wells
are dug in caliches and hard limestone. People reported that the water level in these wells
never dry up. As most of the wells are not protected, it is expected that pollution may be one
of the major problems of these wells.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 47

Figure 4.15: Location Map of Assessed Water Points in Dinsoor District

Table 4.15: Types and distribution of assessed water points in Dinsoor district:

Region Bay Borehole Shallow Wells Dam Total
District: Dinsoor
# 3 186 13 202
%
1.49 92.08 6.44 100

Dam 13 Borehole 1.49 %
Shallow Wells 3 186 Shallow Wells 92.08 %

Borehole Dam 6.44%

Figure 4.16: Percentage of water sources distribution in Dinsoor District

Shallow wells (92.08%) are the dominant water sources in Dinsoor district with rain water
harvesting dams. Boreholes are the minority, only three boreholes assessed in district only
one of the three is working. In total, the surveyors assessed 202 water sources in Dinsoor
district, 55% of them are seasonally work.

1. Accessibility and Operational Status

Access to safe water is the percentage of people within 5 km (rural) and 2 km (urban) of an
improved water source. Water source information presented in this map (Fig 4.17) is based

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 48

on available water points assessed. Therefore, water source coverage and operational status
level change over time.

Figure 4.17: Water sources, accessibility and operational status Dinsoor District

Accessibility is based on aerial distance, assumed that people travel most direct route in plain
area. 75.3% of the total area of Dinsoor district is not covered by protected water source,
especially the northern, eastern and southern parts of the district.

2. Users of Assessed Water Points:

Majority of the sources are in and around Dinsoor town. The rural users of all sources
surveyed amounted to 5.63%, Urban 88.73% and Nomadic 5.63% (Table 4.16). Some
sources are used by both nomadic and rural users.

Table 4.16: Number of water point by user’s types:

District Borehole Shallow Wells Dam

Dinsoor Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom Urb Rur Nom
% 12 2 180 6 6 84 4
84.51 2.82 2.82
0.47 0.94 0.94 3.76 1.88 1.88

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 49

Shallow Nom 1.88% 84.51% Urban 88.73%
Borehole Wells Dam Rur 1.88% Rural 5.64%
Urb 3.76% Nomad 5.63%
2.82%
Nom 2.82%
Rur
Urb 0.94%
0.94%
Nom 047%
Rur
Urb

Figure 4.18: Users of all water sources surveyed in Dinsoor District

Looking at different types of water sources (Table 4.16), the analysis indicated hand dug
wells are highly utilized by urban, rural and nomadic users, with boreholes in high preference
among urban populations. Dams are used in urban and rural people rely on them for their
water needs.

3. Functionality of Water Points:

Only one of the three boreholes is functional during the assessment period, with need for full
rehabilitation for the three boreholes, people reported that the in most of the shallow wells
drops during dry season and some of them dry up, and a small number is abandoned (Table
4.17). The functionalities of boreholes, shallow wells are calculated to be 33.33% and
83.33% respectively while most of the dams are dry.

Table 4.17 Functionality of assessed water points in Dinsoor district

District Borehole Shallow Wells Dam

Daisoor F* NF* AB* F NF AB F NF AB
Functionality (%) - 13 -
1 2 0 155 17 8
0
33.33 83.33

Dam 0% Low Yield 28.85%
Shallow well Dry 25.00%
83.33% Tech Breakdown 23.08%
Borehole Water Qlty 19.23%
33.33% Other 3.85%

Figure 4.19: Functionality and Reasons for Non-Functionality of assessed water points

Shallow wells and rainwater catchments in rainy seasons had the highest operational
functionality. Reasons for non-functionality were categorized as low yield (28.85%),
technical breakdown (23.08%), dry (25%), water quality (19.23%) and other (3.85%).
Majority of the sources in rural areas are not working due to water quality, dryness or
technical problems and lack of regular rehabilitation.

Water Resources Availability, Management and Drought Impacts Assessment, South West State of Somalia, 2017 50