ISSN XXXX XXXX © 2016 IJESC Research Article Volume 6 Issue No. 7 Groundwater Investigation for Domestic Purpose Zala Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia Leulalem, S.B.1, Alemayehu A.2, Elias G.3, Assefa G.4, Yegelilaw E.5, Temesgen L.6 Arba Minch University, Post code: 21, Ethiopia Abstract The study area, Zala woreda is one of the water supply problem areas in Gamo Gofa zone. This research work was conducted in three specific locations, namely Mela village, Galima town and Deboch village. In these areas there is no alternative water resources rather than groundwater investigation and use groundwater for domestic supply; because the area where characterized as arid and semi arid. This groundwater investigation was focused on the assurance of presence or absence of water and to identify thickness of the aquifer. This study was used different methods such as geological, geomorphological and vertical electrical sounding. When to consider groundwater availability we have to know the geology of the area. Geology of the area is characterized as low laid flat land is covered by uncons olidated sediments; mountains, ridges and domes are covered by rhyolite and basalts. These rocks are contained mostly secondary porosity rather than primary porosity. Most of the VES points located on unconsolidated sediments except Mela site. Either VES on fractured rock or unconsolidated sediment show a thick aquifer in the area. The identified aquifers are mostly confined and the confining layers are both clay and hard igneous rocks. The depth of the groundwater for main aquifer is starting from 38m-50m. The recommended depth which will be expected to drill is 80m for shallow well and 244m for deep borehole. Keyword: Geology; weathered rock; aquifer; porosity; VES; confine. 1. Introduction health care and productivity of the peoples. In order to attain 1.1 Background sustainable and equitable solutions to these problems due As far as water supply for human consumption is concerned, it attention has been accorded by the Arba Minch University in is to be noted that over 85% of Ethiopians’ livelihood is based partnership with local governments, civil society, and on farming and livestock agriculture. This has consequently implementation partners. resulted in subsistence level of economic life and thinly spread A key element of our strategy is helping communities gain out settlement so that providing reliable and safe water at access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. In pursuance to minimum cost becomes very difficult. the above goal, Zala woreda, Deboch, Galma, and Mela In Gamo-Goffa zone Zala Woreda especially the targeted Kebeles Water Supply Project here after proposed to be areas Deboch, Galima town and Mella village are usually designed by the Arba Minch University to conduct the study, affected by drought and there is especial water scarcity. As design and preparation of documents for the project. observed during field visit, rural people in these areas are This research work was used essential methods to investigate under serious problems because number of population and the groundwater site selection. The basic methods which were water supply is as such not balanced. used are geophysical resistivity methods, topographical Hence over 90% of the population living in rural Zala woreda setting, geological structure tracing and existing shallow wells. has no access to potable water. People have to travel long distances for many hours and fetch unsafe and unreliable 1.2 Statement of the problem water from rivers and other undeveloped sources. Even in For sizable proportion of the rural population(84% of the urban center of the woreda services are apparently better in country total) in Ethiopia, the major sources of drinking water relative terms, the supply and quality of water is inadequate are surface run offs represented by unprotected springs, ponds, and unreliable compared to the demand. rivers, and hand dug wells whose health risk is significant as The majority of woreda people engaged in farming and they are exposed to contamination caused by human beings, pasteurization. They forced to drive the livestock long livestock, wildlife and uncontrolled flooding. The main distances, both in the highland and lowland areas, in search of reasons for this very low level of performance in the supply of water and pasture. safe drinking water, and the quandary for not efficiently While herding their cattle from place to place in search of utilizing the water resources potential of the woreda towards water they move away from centers of social services like realizing sustainable development is attributed to lack of health care, clean water, education…. etc ground water potential investigation and insufficient As far as the economic problems are concerned, the long investment for safe drinking water supply. According to distance movement of the livestock in search of water and Ministry of Water & Energy "adequate water supply to mean pasture resulting in low yields and poor health has a negative 20 liters of water per person per day is accessible within a impact on the economy. Hence, the water sector will have to range of 0.5 to 1.0 km from a dwelling place”. But generally formulate appropriate implementing strategies for the supply in Zala woreda the water consumption is approximately 20 of water for livestock in the areas. liters per household per day. Until now people to get water These shortcomings will have to be solved sooner than later they travel tens or greater kilometers. Not only distance but to achieve rapid socio economic development through better what they using water for domestic purpose is affecting their healthy due to quality problem. As stated in description of the International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, July 2016 1869 http://ijesc.org/ study area, most of the area climatically characterized so bounded between West Demba Gofa woreda and North by called ‘Kola’; most of the streams in the area are non- Maze River; East and Northeast by Kamba and Daramalo perennial; because of this problem people spent their time to woreda respectively. Topographically the area is search water in dry season. characterized valley between two mountain ridges and it is mostly flat land. Climatic conditions of the area are mostly 1.3 Decryption of the study area characterized ‘kola’ weather condition. Their specific 1.3.1 Location and accessibility locations are at UTM-37 which is bounded between 787393 The study area is located in West of Arba-Minch town, about to 791504.64mN and 464382.02 to 469449.7mE and an 234km. Its accessibility from Arba Minch to Sodo asphalt altitude of 1194– 1484 m.a.s.l. road and Sodo to Zala through graveled road. The study area covers about three rural and one town kebeles. The area is Figure: 1.1 location map International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, July 2016 1870 http://ijesc.org/ 1.3.2 Topography, climatic conditions and drainage in the area is seasonal, poor distribution and variable from The study area is characterized by undulating topography year to year. Rainfall distribution over the valley is in along south main Ethiopian rift system. The area is monthly distribution is bimodal even if there is different in dominated by flatland and some part of the area is controlled different area. The average lowest monthly rainfall by ridge forming flood basalt and rhyolite. This rugged registered during the month of February at Mela is 36.4 mm. topography of the area is the sources for rivers and streams whereas the average monthly maximum rainfall is 166.4 mm that flows through the vicinity. observed during the month of May. About 16 years rainfall Climatic conditions of the area are mostly characterized data of the area imply that most of months are dry which are under ‘kola’ weather condition. The main feature of rainfall getting rainfall below 100 mm. Mean Monthly Rainfall 180 160 140 120 100 80 RF (mm)RF 60 RF 40 20 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Month Figure:1.2. Mean monthly rainfall Temperature from November to February hot and dry indicated in figure (1.4) except six months the mean weather is predominant. From the long-term temperature temperature is greater than 30 oC the area is getting high data obtained from National Metrological Agency (NMSA), temperature. the mean maximum temperature of Mela is 33.5 oC. As Mean Monthly Maximum Temperature 34.0 33.0 32.0 31.0 30.0 29.0 Max.Temp Max.Temp(oC) 28.0 27.0 26.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Figure:1.3. Mean monthly maximum temperature 1. 4 Research questions following interdependent questions should be addressed This project concept note work to give the solution for the while addressing the rationale of this project. problem which justified in the introduction part. The International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, July 2016 1871 http://ijesc.org/ Where is groundwater and how much its It will give awareness on vertical and horizontal potential? distributions as well as quality of groundwater; and What is the nature of the interconnections between This investigation expected to indicate that at what the groundwater and surface water systems? depth groundwater presents and its seasonal fluctuation. 1.5 Objectives 1.5.1General objective 1.7 Beneficiaries The general objective is to investigate groundwater potential The beneficiaries are: site for shallow and deep well drilling The scientific community can use for further studies; 1.5.2 Specific objectives Gamo-Gofa