Status report on water resources availability, accessibility and technology needs for addressing water security challenges in Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo districts, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

Adapting to and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather and climate change in fragile environments requires addressing key questions on the status of water availability, accessibility, and technology needs. The primary goal of this research is to provide comprehensive data and actionable insights to support organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and other stakeholders in developing effective strategies for water management, enhancing resilience, and ensuring water access for host communities, refugees, and internally displaced people (IDPs). This study focused on the Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo districts of Ethiopia, which are parts of the Genale Dawa River basin and the Somali Regional State that are categorized as fragile environments with a high degree of sensitivity to climate extremes.

To quantify the water availability in the districts, a hydrologic model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was set up and calibrated at watershed scale. Using this calibrated model, the surface water and groundwater availability were estimated. Surface water availability for Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo districts is estimated to range from 26 million cubic meters (MCM) in February to 843 MCM in May. From the hydrological modeling, it is evident that surface runoff is the lowest water balance component for the districts. This indicates that the major water sources in Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo are derived mainly from the rivers passing adjacent to the districts. Communities living close to the rivers have more access to water, with the challenge of the high cost of pumping river water for domestic and irrigation use.

The water for irrigation was quantified from the low flow of streamflow simulation and annual recharge in the districts. After considering the environmental flow, 0.5 to 14.5 MCM can be considered available for irrigation in dry and wet months, respectively. Water availability for irrigation from recharge estimates can range from 1.1 MCM in September to 94.5 MCM in December. With the available water, the potential irrigable area is estimated to be around 5,900 ha and 5,300 ha for two irrigation seasons common in the districts. The results show that there is more surface water potential — mainly from the river — for irrigation in the districts compared to groundwater sources from the shallow aquifers.

The status of water accessibility and technology needs was evaluated using a review of the literature and information obtained from stakeholder consultations. Existing challenges in water accessibility in the districts include inadequate infrastructure for water storage, damage to irrigation canals, seasonality of ponds, salinity of groundwater, inadequate access to clean water, and the high cost associated with pumps, fuels, and spares. Appropriate technology interventions are required to address the challenges in water availability and accessibility by the local host communities, refugees, and IDPs. The potential water users in the districts are farmers, herders, households, and the ecosystem. Integration of innovative technologies and practices is key to supporting resilience against climate extremes.

This study recommends the need to switch from basin irrigation to water-saving technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Additionally, diversification of the source of water supply is needed, such as the conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water, and the use of different water sources. Investing in the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing water infrastructure, such as wells, boreholes, and irrigation canals, is essential to improve water availability and distribution. The promotion of efficiency through watersaving technologies is vital, using efficient water application techniques through wetting front detector tools and Chameleon soil water sensors.

Emphasis should be given to maximizing productivity while conserving water through the adoption of innovative cropping patterns and agronomic practices. This includes choosing crop varieties that are drought-resistant as well as those that are not water intensive. Watershed management practices must be promoted to increase the recharge of water into groundwater. This includes reforestation, soil and water conservation measures, and proper land-use planning and management. Integrated water storage mechanisms will bridge water availability during dry seasons and droughts and therefore should be promoted for these districts. In addition, promoting community-based initiatives and fostering stakeholder collaboration can empower local communities to actively engage in sustainable water management practices and build resilience to future water-related challenges.