Rural Water Supply from Shallow Aquifers in Ethiopia -Strategy and Alternative Technologies

Abstract

Consistent with the international trend in developing countries, it is envisaged that low-cost technologies will play the major role in rural water supplies in Ethiopia. Hand-dug wells will probably continue to be the main such technology basically because of its storage characteristic which makes it suitable for low yielding aquifers on the plateau. Hand augered wells may also prove suitable in a lot of areas. Another potentially beneficial technique is the construction of small diameter boreholes in hard rock areas for handpump installation. Such boreholes can be economically constructed using small rigs. Whatever technology is used, the desired objective of significant health improvement would not be achieved unless the improved source is properly maintained and used. Maintenance considerations should, therefore, be central to any effective strategy. In areas with great water need, but no maintenance possibilites, open wells should be considered. The objective would then be saving energy and time. In projects where health improvement is the goal, if absent, maintenance capability should be built up as part of the project, and health education in corporated. With present limitations of resources, such projects can be undertaken better in a concentrated way as pilot projects covering limited areas rather than as dispersed activities in a national programme. /Kir09