Communities in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are gaining access to a previously untapped water source as small-scale, solar-powered desalination units begin treating brackish groundwater. Unlike seawater, which has extremely high salinity, the brackish water found in many aquifers beneath these dry regions contains lower salt levels, making it less energy-intensive and more cost-effective to purify. These new, decentralized systems are specifically designed for off-grid communities, using solar energy to power reverse osmosis or electrodialysis processes that remove dissolved salts and minerals, transforming otherwise undrinkable water into a safe, reliable source for drinking, livestock, and small-scale irrigation.
The deployment of this technology is addressing a critical water security challenge in counties like Garissa, Wajir, and Turkana, where surface water is scarce and the available groundwater is often too saline for direct use. Previously, communities relied on expensive trucked-in water or faced health risks from consuming high-salinity water. The solar-powered desalination units, often housed in a small kiosk or container, provide a sustainable and localized solution. Their modular design allows them to be scaled to the size of a village or a small town, and the reliance on solar power eliminates crippling fuel costs, making the water affordable for low-income households. The brine byproduct, a concentrated salt solution, is managed through evaporation ponds to prevent environmental damage.
The long-term success and scalability of brackish water desalination hinge on sustainable management and community ownership. Projects are increasingly structured around a community-based management model, where local water committees are trained to operate and maintain the units, setting tariffs that cover maintenance and eventual replacement costs. As climate change intensifies drought cycles, this technology offers a crucial climate adaptation strategy, diversifying water sources and reducing vulnerability. While not a panacea, brackish water desalination represents a key piece of the puzzle in achieving water security for millions of Kenyans, proving that the solution to water scarcity in some of the driest places on earth may lie not on the surface, but just beneath it.