Groundwater risks and institutional response in rural Africa

The problem: In locations with limited groundwater resources, but where large-scale demands are increasing, the question arises as to how groundwater can be sustainably managed to the benefit of both the wider economy and the rural poor. Can water risks be managed for both growth and development?

The approach: A case study in Kenya, involving hydrogeological assessments, handpump monitoring, a household survey to inform understanding of water poverty, and key informant interviews and focus group discussions to understand groundwater governance.

Key findings: A great deal of data regarding ground-water level and quality, water use, health and indicators of welfare has been generated. An inter-disciplinary Groundwater Risk Management Tool has been proposed for development in the consortium phase.

Where? Kenya

Consortium grant? Yes – visit the Gro for GooD Consortium page.

Principal Investigator: Dr Rob Hope, University of Oxford

Research Team:

• Johanna Koehler, University of Oxford
• Patrick Thomson, University of Oxford
• Prof Bancy Mati, JKUAT
• Prof Daniel Olago, University of Nairobi
• Dr Albert Folch,  Universitat Politècnica de Cataluñya (UPC)
• Mike Lane, Rural Focus Ltd.
• Michael Thomas, Rural Focus Ltd.
• Jacob Katuva, Rural Focus Ltd.

Research Organisations:

• University of Oxford (OU) – NE/L001950/1
• University of Nairobi (UoN)
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
• Rural Focus Ltd. (RFL)

 

Find out more:

• PDF summaries
  • Risks and Institutional Responses for Poverty Reduction in Rural Africa
  • Les risques sur les eaux souterraines et les réponses institutionnelles pour la réduction de la pauvreté dans les zones rurales d’Afrique
• Jacob Mutua Katuva presenting in RWSN-UPGro webinar Groundwater Governance, 10th March 2015
• Jacob Mutua Katuva presenting poster at 41st IAH Congress, Marrakech, September 2014
• Dr Rob Hope discussant on RWSN-UPGro webinar Mapping Groundwater Quality for Decision-Makers, 24 November 2014
• mw4d / Oxwater website
• Foster, T (2015) Insuring against Rural Water Risk – Evidence from Kwale, Kenya
• Oxford/RFL (2014) “From Rights to Results in Rural Water Services – Evidence from Kyuso, Kenya”. Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, Water Programme, Working Paper 1, Oxford University, UK.