Where to dig a well

When digging a well, the best sign there will be water is when you see other wells nearby. But if the other wells are deep boreholes, the groundwater may be too deep to get to by hand digging. Another good sign is the year-round presence of plants that need a lot of water to survive. Low areas are more likely to have water than higher ground. But if a well is dug in a low area, it will need to be protected from rainwater runoff.

In many regions, especially during extreme droughts, riverbeds have long been a reliable source of water for people and animals. Even when other sources have dried up, water can often still be found in riverbeds. Some wild animals, like elephants and ant-eaters, have a natural ability to sense where water lies below the surface. Similarly, many rural communities and experienced well-diggers can identify spots where water can be found. They often know how deep they need to dig to reach the water, based on generations of knowledge passed down about local plants and trees that grow where groundwater is close to the surface.

Certain trees and vegetation thrive only when their roots can reach the water table, even during dry periods. By observing these specific plants, you can get a good idea of where the groundwater is. Examples of those water-indicating plants are Cyperus rotundus (Kiindiu), Delonix elata (Mwangi) or Ficus malatocapra (Mkuyu Mukuyu). Look for water-indicating trees and plants growing along a riverbed, e.g. Figs, Mwangi and Munina. If there are waterholes in the riverbed, still having water 7 months after the last rains, these are usually good points for finding shallow groundwater.

Sources

• Audiopedia ID: En3133