By Bruno Petrucci
Prepared for:
Republic of Somaliland, Ministry of Water Resources Development
Borama Groundwater Sustainability Studies, Somaliland
SDF Ref No: P101-174
Geology of Borama Aquifer
The Borama aquifer is situated in Jurassic limestones, underlain by an impervious crystalline basement and overlain by a dry alluvial plain. The geological composition includes:
- Basement rock
- Limestone
- Clayey alluvial deposits (impervious)
Water Resource Development History
Pre-2000s:
- A spring and shallow water were found near Damouq hill foot and T. Xamoud.
1980s:
- A Chinese team drilled 10 boreholes:
- 6 for public supply
- 3 for rural supply
- 1 for the university
- Shallow water disappeared, and depletion began accelerating in 2004.
2008-2012:
- UNICEF-Africa ‘70 conducted a water study.
- Five new boreholes were drilled, including one on Sheilaha hill, to divert production out of the Damouq area and slow aquifer depletion.
2017-2022:
- Ten new boreholes were drilled.
- Production from these boreholes dried all previously drilled boreholes.
- A drawdown of 14 meters per year of the Static Water Level (SWL) was observed.
Depletion of the Aquifer
The aquifer is experiencing significant depletion due to over-extraction:
- In 2014, the safe yield of the Damouq-Xamoud aquifer was estimated at 2,000 m³/day.
- By 2023, production had increased to 5,000 m³/day.
- In 2024, production in the east basin (Damouq-Xamoud) was reduced to 4,500 m³/day.
Projection for 2030:
- If current rates continue, the aquifer will face a severe decline, making most boreholes non-functional.
Recommendations to Slow Depletion
- Reduce production in the Damouq-Xamoud basin to 3,500 m³/day to slow the water drawdown to 10 meters per year.
- Maintain boreholes with depths beyond 200 meters to ensure continued production.
- Restrict the authorization of new boreholes, as further drilling will likely lead to total depletion of the aquifer.
The sustainability of the Borama aquifer requires immediate action to manage water extraction rates and prevent irreversible depletion.
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