Urban Self-Supply from Groundwater—An Analysis of Management Aspects and Policy Needs

Abstract

The use of private water wells for self-supply in developing cities has ‘mushroomed’ during recent decades, such that it is now an important component of total water-supply, but one all too frequently overlooked in official figures. Selected global experience of the phenomenon (from 10 cities in 3 continents) is succinctly summarized, and then analyzed from differing perspectives, before drawing recommendations on priorities for its improved management.

Microbial Contamination of Groundwater Self‐Supply in Urban Indonesia: Assessment of Sanitary and Socio‐Economic Risk Factors

“…Self‐supply exists in a range of contexts in urban and rural settings and can be found in households which are beyond the reach of utility‐ or community managed water supplies or in households that need to complement an inadequate supply (Adeniji‐Oloukoi et al., 2013; Allen et al., 2006; Grönwall, 2016; Grönwall & Danert, 2020; Komakech & de Bont, 2018; Kulabako et al., 2010; Liddle et al., 2016; Sutton, 2009). Self‐supply services are generally unregulated and unmonitored (S. Foster et al., 2022; Grönwall & Danert, 2020; Grönwall et al., 2010). In the Asia‐Pacific, it is estimated that over 700 million people depended on self‐supply across rural and urban areas in 2018 (T. Foster et al., 2021).…”

Advances in Urban Groundwater and Sustainable Water Resources Management and Planning: Insights for Improved Designs with Nature, Hazards, and Society

“…Recently a new focus has emerged, addressing questions on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) studies integrated into urban water supply systems, notably in historic cities. Sustainable urban groundwater systems are considered increasingly significant in global development issues such as management, protection, distribution, safety, and services (e.g., [2,3,19,27,29,39,50]). In addition, urban population growth and improved living patterns lead to increased water use and demand.…”

“…(i) The feature paper from Foster et al [39] analyses sustainable management drivers and policy demands related to urban self-supply from groundwater. In the last decades, the use of private water wells in developing cities increased enormously but in a chaotic manner.…”

“…Policies need to be introduced that encourage municipal water utilities and local government offices to provide services to private water well users in return for formal water well registration and payment of a modest resource fee." [39]. (ii) The articles by Cai et al [40], Andrei et al [41], and Valente et al [42] highlight groundwater hazard concerns in distinctive hydrogeological media, geological settings, and geoenvironmental issues.…”

Self-supply groundwater in five communities: Moshie Zongo, Aboabo, Kotei, Ayeduase and Apemso in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

“…Studies have shown that the use of self-supply groundwater in urban areas of developing countries is widespread and a component of the total water supply [ [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] ]. For example, it is estimated that approximately 125 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa and 340 million people in India rely on self-supply [ 10 ].…”