Groundwater Monitoring Update June 2026

The Somalia Groundwater Status Update, issued on 30 July 2026 by Somali Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM), presents the latest assessment of groundwater conditions across Somalia based on weekly monitoring of strategic boreholes and data from telemetric groundwater monitoring stations. In June 2026, 608 strategic boreholes were monitored, of which 578 were functioning and 30 were non-functioning, resulting in an overall functionality rate of approximately 95%. Pump failure was the leading cause of borehole malfunction, accounting for 50% of reported failures, followed by power supply and main rising pipe issues. The bulletin also examines borehole usage, water prices, groundwater-level trends, and electrical conductivity across different regions. The bulletin reviews the implications of the 2026 Gu rainfall season for groundwater recharge, highlighting significant rainfall deficits in northern Somalia and comparatively near-normal rainfall in much of south-central Somalia. It also provides a groundwater outlook for the Hagaa/Karan season (July–September 2026), when increased reliance on groundwater is expected as surface-water availability declines. The update concludes with priority actions focused on maintaining and rehabilitating strategic boreholes, restoring non-operational telemetric stations, strengthening groundwater-level and water-quality monitoring, and integrating groundwater information with seasonal climate forecasting and drought early-warning systems. These measures are intended to support proactive, climate-resilient groundwater management and timely humanitarian and development interventions.