:: New UPGro paper :: Rainfall and groundwater use in rural Kenya

Thomson, P.; Bradley D,;Katilu;Katuva J.;Lanzonia, M.; Koehler J.; Hope, R. Rainfall and groundwater use in rural Kenya, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 649, 1 February 2019, Pages 722-730

Key Points

• As part of the Gro for GooD study in Kwale County, Kenya, UPGro researchers noticed then when comparing data collected from 266 Smart Handpumps and 19 raingauges that:
  • there was a 68% reduction in pump use on the day immediately following heavy rain, as well as
  • a 34% reduction in groundwater use during the wet season compared to the dry season, suggesting a large shift from improved to unimproved sources in the wet season.
• This data was compared to household survey data collected by the researchers, and the relationship between rainfall and pumping was modelled and tested.
• In this area rainwater harvesting was widespread and only 6% of households reported handpumps as their sole source of drinking water in the wet season, compared to 86% in the dry season.
• Whilst rainwater harvesting can be a safe source of water it requires the collection and storage to be well designed and built.
• This work provides empirical evidence that the existence of improved water supplies does not guarantee their use and health benefits may not be as expected.