SWALIM Completes Water Sources Survey in Galmudug

After previous attempts thwarted by lack of access, SWALIM has finally managed to carry out a water sources survey in Galmudug State in Central Somalia through a local NGO. The survey covered the strategic water sources in nine districts within Galgadud and Mudug Regions

The survey was carried out using SWALIM-developed tools for water sources data collection and monitoring, including an Android mobile phone-based data collection kit (ODK – Open Data Kit), standardized SWIMS (Somalia Water Sources Information Management) data collection methodology, and an online platform for data viewing and downloading.

The survey was focused on the strategic water sources – primarily boreholes, which supply water to communities in the area for most of the year. In total, 228 sources were visited (119 boreholes, 74 dug wells, 19 berkads, 1 dam and 15 other water source types. For each source visited, detailed information was collected on their current operational status, physical characteristics, usage, ownership, etc. Basic water quality parameters, such as salinity, total dissolved solids and pH, were tested in the field, and samples were taken for later detailed laboratory analysis.

From the initial survey results, the average borehole depth in the region is about 170 meters, with a maximum recorded depth of 305 meters. Hobyo District, the north-eastern part of Adaado in Galkacyo District and Xarardheere District have deep aquifers, while Cabudwaaq, Dhusamareb and Ceel Dheer Districts have relatively shallow boreholes. The maximum recorded borehole yield in the region is 27m3/hr. The yield is generally higher in Galkacyo, Hobyo and the north-eastern part of Adaado compared to Ceel Dheer and Abudwaq Districts.

Poor water quality is a major concern in Central Somalia. The basic water quality tests carried out in the field indicate that groundwater is not within the recommended range for drinking water. Salinity is particularly high, with some sources recording over 10,000µS/cm, far above the 2,500µS/cm considered safe for drinking.

A report has been developed out of the survey, detailing the survey methodology and key findings. The report is in the review stage and will be made available through the SWALIM web repository once finalised. However, data collected from the survey can already be accessed from the Somalia Water Sources Live Map through the link: http://systems.faoso.net/imms/fmt/maps/website/227. Somali government water authorities, humanitarian aid agencies, and local NGOs will benefit from the products of this survey to plan and carry out drought-related and other interventions in the region.  

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