Groundwater Resources Evaluation and Management in Dugda Woreda, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia
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Date
2007-12
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
This study covers two parts where the first part deals with groundwater potential assessment of Meki river catchment and
the second part which is the main focus of the study deals with assessment of sustainability problems of developed water
supply schemes in Dugda woreda( i.e part of Meki river catchment).
Meki river catchment is found with in the Main Ethiopian Rift in the northern sector of the Lakes region. The average
monthly Maximum and minimum temperature of the area are 25.8 oc and11.4 oc, respectively. Its mean annual aerial
depth of precipitation is 992mm. Potential evapotranspiration for the area is calculated using Penman and Thornthwaite
gives annual potential evapotranspiration value of 1242.8 mm/year and 827mm/year, respectively. Actual
evapotranspiration for the area estimated, from Turc method gives a valueof 754mm.While actual evapotranspiration
using Soil-water balance (Thornthwaite and Mather) method is 732 mm. The overall water balance of the study area was
computed with an aim of estimating the amount of annual recharge to the groundwater. Accordingly; annual recharge to
the ground water of the study area is approximated to be 116.7mm. The main aquifer formations of the boreholes are
lacustrine deposits, weathered and fractured Basalt, ignimbrite, and welded tuff. The general trend for groundwater flow
observed from pieziometric heads is from western highlands toward the rift floor in the direction of NW to SE of the study
area. Groundwater type of the area evolves from Ca-Na HCO3 water type in the western highlands and escarpments to
Na-HCO3 water type in the rift floor (i.e. towards lake Ziway) of the study area.
The sustainability challenge of developed water supply schemes is conducted in Dugda woreda. Five representative PA’s
which can characterize the whole water supply sustainability problem of the woreda were chosen. The main source of
drinking water for the woreda is groundwater. Currently there are seventy-five developed water supply schemes; where
thirty-eight point eight percent are boreholes, thirty-four point six percent are windmills and twenty-six point seven
percent are hand pumps. Twenty-six point six percent of these developed schemes have failed to meet their objectives.
Local community in the study area also develop 2162 dug wells individually which could result in depletion of the
resource. Findings of the study reveal that Poor quality (high fluoride concentration) of water is the main cause for
ninety-one percent failures of developed water supply schemes. Findings of the study reveal that ninety-five percent of the
water supply schemes are managed by water committees. Lack of training for the professionals, water managers,
community and local operators is other reason for sustainability problem of the woreda. Result of the study shows that
ninety-four percent of interviewed technical staffs clarify that the existing training and staff mobility strategy doesn’t
allow professionals to improve their skills. Eighty-five percent of respondents explain, they didn’t obtain any kind of
training. In addition there is high shortage of skilled human resource, budget, and logistics in the rural water supply
office of Dugda woreda. There is no clear system for monitoring and supervision of schemes by the office. Little role of
local communities was seen during water supply development activities; besides Women participation at the time of
development of water supply schemes and after development is completed is insignificant. All the above mentioned factors
plays significant role for the failure of the developed water supply schemes. A finding of the study also show investing on
knowledge of professionals is first priority of beneficiaries to minimize the rate of failure of water supply schemes
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Keywords
Dugda Woreda, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia