Shallow wells: a sustainable and inexpensive alternative to boreholes in Kenya

TitleShallow wells: a sustainable and inexpensive alternative to boreholes in Kenya
Publication TypeOther
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsM.M.E.M. Rutten
Series titleASC working paper
Issue66
Date Published2005///
PublisherAfrican Studies Centre
Place PublishedLeiden
Publication Languageeng
PPN290991773
Keywordshistory, Kenya, Masai, water management, water resources
Abstract

Worldwide, the drawing of water is rising faster than the growth in the world's population. Between 1900 and 1990 the world's population increased from 1.7 billion to 5.5 billion, while the total consumption of water in that time went up by a factor of 10, from 500 to 5,000 cubic km. This explosive rise is not just due to higher human consumption of water but is also the result of an increased supply as well as the expansion of existing economic activities and the introduction of new projects. By describing the water situation in the semi-arid Kajiado District in southern Kenya, this paper highlights the way specific interaction between political, juridical and economic processes has contributed to an upsurge in the pressure on natural water sources and available groundwater reserves. A history of Maasai landownership and water management initiatives in the area is followed by a comparison of efforts proposed and implemented to solve the numerous problems in water provision, focusing in particular on two types of water facilities - boreholes and shallow wells. The author argues that boreholes have contributed little to a solution for the growing water problems in Kajiado District. Instead, solutions should come from a merging of traditional and modern knowledge. [ASC Leiden abstract]

IR handle/ Full text URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1887/9460
CERES Rank

A3

Catalogue link

http://opc-ascl.oclc.org/PPN?PPN=290991773

Availability

AFRIKA A9286

Citation Key3955