Restoring drylands with sand dams and climate-smart farming

About Sand Dams Worldwide

Sand Dams Worldwide supports some of the world’s poorest people to transform their own lives through water and soil conservation in drylands. We work with local partners to support communities to build sand dams; a nature-based, cost-effective rainwater harvesting technology that can last upwards of 60 years and capture up to 40 million litres of water (stored safe from disease and evaporation within the sand), replenishing every rainy season. The water is easily extractable via pipework, with 1 sand dam providing enough year-round water for over 1,000 people. Sand dams positively impact the environment. They allow rivers to continue to flow so downstream users aren’t affected. They raise groundwater levels, promote vegetation regrowth and reduce soil erosion. When combined with land conservation measures, soil fertility improves, and with more water and time (not having to spend hours fetching water from distant sources), farmers produce a more reliable supply of food and income.

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