Productive water points in dryland areas : guidelines on integrated planning for rural water supply

This book provides guidelines for the planning, siting, selection, implementation and management of productive water points in drought-prone areas. It is based mainly on lessons learned from research in southern Africa. The book focuses on community-managed water supply systems (wells, boreholes) developed from hard rock aquifers for small-scale irrigation (particularly of vegetable gardens and fruit orchards). Following an introductory chapter on productive water points, the book discusses the groundwater resource, why wells and boreholes fail, and alternative well designs. Economic costs and benefits of various ground and surface water options are considered, and compared with standard domestic water points. Flow charts, decision trees and detailed information are given on how to make more effective use of existing water points, and on siting, selecting and constructing new water points. A step-wise approach to participatory project planning with the community is presented followed by an overview of management issues related to community gardens. Environmental issues such as groundwater depletion are also discussed. The book concludes by anticipating the future of rural water supply in dryland areas and the broader institutional arrangements that will be needed in an environment of increasing population pressure. There are appendices on cost-benefit analysis of water point options, pumping tests, social contracts and constitutions, and the concept of safe groundwater yield.