An Assessment of Groundwater Grab Syndrome in Langata Sub County, Nairobi City-Kenya

Abstract

Interest on the investigation of groundwater depletion threat is growing globally and Langata sub County in Nairobi, the capital city of the Republic of Kenya, is not an exception. Because of drought-induced water shortage, households in Langata do rely on borehole water to augment their intermittent municipal water supply system. Consequently, there is an upsurge of borehole developments as drought events unfold. Previous studies here have focused on impact of borehole depths and density yet little seems to have been done to compute the correlation coefficient between drought events data and historical borehole development records as an assessment for groundwater “grab” syndrome. This study used drought index computation method (SPI) alongside other statistical methods to seek the answer to the problem. Using 57 years of monthly rainfall data and 26 years of borehole development data, the study established that, there is a positive correlation coefficient. Similarly, a trend analysis of borehole drilling and struck water level depths indicated a positive parallel rising trend on both. Further, when the borehole distribution map and struck water level contour maps were plotted, a sign of a probable well interference during pumping was detected, which however, requires a new investigation to confirm the syndrome of groundwater depletion threat. The study has contributed to the groundwater depletion research by deploying statistical research methods for risk detection. Finally, the study has proposed for a new groundwater management policy that will encourage initiation of artificial recharge schemes for the study site and beyond.