David Jordan OBE will describe how this ancient technology can transform lives and livelihoods
A sand dam is a reinforced stone masonry wall built across a seasonal sandy river. Such small dams are especially appropriate for conserving water in areas which have only seasonal rainfall, classed as drylands. They have almost no maintenance costs and can last for upwards of 60 years (the oldest known in operation being over 100 years old). Water behind a sand dam wall is retained within a large mass of sand and this provides potable water as well as raising the water table in the surrounding area, improving the soil and creating better conditions for crops and grazing. David Jordan will describe the way in which local communities have now become involved in constructing the dams and how they realise the water-saving potential of this established technology.
