Results from a pilot research study point to the far-reaching impact that sand dam programmes can have, beyond providing access to clean water.
Research conducted by Just a Drop, in collaboration with our country partner, Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF), has found that sand dam programmes can bring significant social and environmental benefits, as well as providing access to clean water.
In March 2024, we initiated a pilot research study to learn more about the impact of sand dam programmes on water access, livelihoods, and environmental outcomes – thanks to funding from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), via the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Frontiers programme.
Key findings:
- For 88% of people involved in the programme, water is now readily available all year round
- 53% of households reported that the distance travelled to collect water was reduced to one km or less
- 94% of participants reported a noticeable increase in vegetation after the programme was completed
- Two-thirds less people reported getting sick from waterborne diseases following their involvement in the programme
- By the end of the programme, almost three times as many people as at the start reported feeling hopeful about the future
Sand dams are reinforced concrete structures that are built across seasonal sandy riverbeds to store and harvest rainwater. Our sand dam programmes help communities to construct simple, low-cost dams; provide training on water, sanitation, and hygiene; and we then support communities to build on the fact they have year-round access to water by delivering additional training in financial management, agriculture, and land restoration.
Priscah Mutanu, who participated in a sand dam programme in Kitui County, said the project had transformed the lives of her community:
‘We now have clean water close to us, even during the dry months. We’ve started group vegetable farming and tree planting, and we’re planning to sell water and vegetables to raise income for our table banking program. Life has become easier, and we are now thinking bigger.’
Jonathan Garrard, Head of Programmes at Just a Drop, said:
‘We’ve been working with Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF) and communities in Kenya to deliver sand dam programmes for 15 years, and we know they bring significant benefits beyond providing access to clean water.
‘The results of this pilot research project are very promising and point to the potential that sand dam programmes have to truly transform the lives and livelihoods of rural communities in Kenya. We look forward to building on this study to generate more robust evidence about the multiple outcomes of an integrated approach to sand dam interventions.’
The study was conducted using data collected from sand dam programme recipient communities between 2018 and 2023, survey data from more than 650 households, and a second round of field surveys in 2024.
Overall, the results show that, when sand dams are integrated into a broader approach to water– and land–use management, they can improve water access, health and wellbeing, and environmental outcomes.