Fruits of mukami. (Photo: Jan Vandenabeele)
Water within reach Rural households can use vegetation and other inexpensive methods to locate water
Wild figs growing on a mukuyu’s stem and branches. (Photo: Jan Vandenabeele)
BY ERIK NISSEN-PETERSEN
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very family living in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) would like to find water near their homestead instead of having to trek many kilometres to fetch it. The easiest way to get the commodity is to collect rainwater from the roof and store it in a tank for use in the dry season. However, the cost of a roof and water tank capable of providing water for six dry months is too high for most rural homesteads to afford. It is more affordable and reliable to find shallow groundwater that can be extracted using a hand-dug well. The biggest challenge for this option is where to find shallow groundwater in ASAL regions. Often on market days, one finds people marketing their skills for locating shallow groundwater. For a fee paid in advance the “expert” will walk with his dowsing rods over a farmer’s land and point out where to dig to find water. A neighbour of mine spent a lot of money excavating a well down to 60 feet (20 metres) through layers of rocks after an “expert” pointed out that there was water. No water was found and the neighbour did not get a refund of the fees paid to the “expert” and to the well-digger. What should one do to avoid losing money and still find water? First of all; read the landscape and use common sense! Water is always seeping downwards whether on or under the surface of a landscape. To find shallow groundwater that can be extracted through a well, look out for the following: · Lush vegetation: On slopes of small hilltops it is only possible to find shallow ground water if there is an underground and invisible layer of rock or clayey soil that prevents rainwater in situ (in voids between particles) from seeping downhill. In such places the vegetation is lusher than the surroundings due to the trapped groundwater. · Green vegetation: Pans, ponds and earth dams often have seepage lines downstream of the dam walls. Seepage lines are identified by green vegetation growing above them. · Depressions in landscapes may also trap rainwater if the underground contains clayey soil or rocks. Such places are identified by their vegetation. · Sandy places: Seasonal water courses, such as dry riverbeds and laggas with sand are the most likely places to yield water because floodwater may be trapped in the sand and riverbanks for many months - or even years.
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Trees that indicate the presence of water Figs are well-known for indicating the presence of water. Some acacias and palm species also fall into this category. Below are trees that indicate the presence of water. The list is not exhaustive. Botanical name Cyperus rotundus Vangueria tomentosa Delonix elata Grewia spp Markhamia lutea Hyphaene compressa Borassus aethiopum Ficus vasta Ficus natalensis Ficus sycomorus Kigelia africana Newtonia hildebrandtii Acacia elatior
Swahili name Muiru Mwangi Itiliku Muu Kikoko Mvumo Mombu Muumo Mkuyu Mvungunya Mganga Mgunga
Kamba name Kiindiu Kikomoa Muange Itiliku Chyoo Ilala Kyatha Mumbu Muumo Mukuyu Muatini Mukami Munina
Depth to water 3 to 7metres 5 to 10 metres 5 to 10 metres 7 to 10 metres 8 to 15 metres 9 to 15 metres 9 to 15 metres 9 to 15 metres 9 to 15 metres 9 to 15 metres 9 to 20 metres 9 to 20 metres to 20 metres
Other methods of looking for water Dowsing Gifted people can use dowsing to locate underground water sources and underground dykes.
To make dowsing rods, cut a 1-metre long brazing rod into two halves. Attach a 12cm long handle to each half.
Miti April - June 2013