Beledweyne: A Town That Waits for Its People

I heard Beledweyne first from the Hadraawi song which bless Beledweyne and give an excel description of the Beledweyne as a town. A place with a lot of opportunities and blessed with Shabelle Water. I visited Beledweyne and started asking for the bridge, for Beerlula and the Baar (local name of a tree) which is known variety in the town. However, I was distracted from this exciting visit to my interest and profession – access to water.

Beledweyne is getting its water from Shabelle River either through direct river access or infiltration wells. Geologically, the groundwater in Beledweyne is salty and not drinkable. Many agencies and private companies have tried to deepen the existing shallow wells, but salinity levels increase with depth. Some agencies have tried to conduct groundwater feasibility studies and recommended the availability of fresh groundwater sources 45km away from the town. It might be a good option, but compare the existing river water, which is a meandering and perineal river, with the town. Getting investment and managing water from 45 km will definitely be a challenge.

There is a good start and initiative from private companies supplying pipe water for over 80% of the town with different qualities. The town is severely affected by recurrent flooding but is a practical example of how a community is resilient to these shocks. Controlling the flooding is cheaper than considering relocating to the town. The river direction can be changed while keeping a minimum flow within the existing river course.

In this article, I am very interested in sharing my views and how quality access to water can be supplied to the town and reduce waterborne disease prevalence. In Beledweyne, over 40 companies are providing different types of water quality. It is clear from the water quality sample we have collected that salinity intrusion is higher during the dry season compared to the rainy season. Many existing companies supply direct river water through pipes while some take more responsible measures and supply water from the infiltration dug wells.

Given the fact that Somalia’s government capacity is progressing with time. It is yet to take full control of water and strict implementation of quality measures. It is up to the existing companies to continue water service deliver, ?do better quality monitoring and reduce wasting limited private resources. You might see, three companies have three pipelines running in similar neighborhoods, while one company could have sufficiently supplied water. They are all charging between $4 and $10 depending on the household size. There is no water meter and no measurement of quantifying the amount utilized and quality of water.

What better can be done? It would have been ideal and proposed if all the companies can form one company under Beledweyne water supply who can take charge of operating, maintaining and expanding water for the people. This company can have the opportunity of getting support from many humanitarian and development partners. It can implement the design-of-art technology for treating river water with quality improvement measures, including chlorination and desalination if required during the dry season.

The current experience is not healthy and not sustainable for the future. It will be difficult for anyone interested to fund Beledweyne water improvement. We might always respond to recurrent acute water diarrhea and many might be affected with other diseases related to high mineral water consumption.

What is required? Beledwayne is waiting for its people to come together, start a company, organize existing companies and invest in Beledweyne water supply. Two companies can be an option given the existing challenges in moving pipes between the two sides of the river. Then, they can request external funding from donors. Beledweyne is waiting for you all. NGOs will be ready to support the initial phase of company formation and transforming existing umbrella of water suppliers to a legally acceptable and accountable company. Beledweyne is waiting for its people.