Seasonal Effect of Weather Elements on Water Table Fluctuation in Potable Wells in Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone

Abstract

The study investigated the seasonal effects of weather elements on water table fluctuations in drinking wells in Nimikoro and Tankoro Chiefdoms in Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone. The study specifically determined the trends in precipitation, air temperature and relative humidity relative to water table depth and water volume in both manually dug and mechanically drilled water wells in the chiefdoms. The key objective was to provide a clear guide on sustainable well development and operation in the study area and beyond. To do so, the depth of each well was taken and the water table measured. Also, data on key weather elements such as precipitation, air temperature and relative humidity were collected on the 15th of every month for a period of one year. The data were analyzed on Excel, SPSS and ArcGIS platforms for monthly and seasonal trends in the time-space fabric. The results showed that the depth to water table was high in the dries (small well water volume) and low in the rains (large well water volume) for both manually dug and mechanically drilled wells. Well water temperature increased as temperature increased during the dry season but decreased as temperature decreased during the rainy season. The study showed that weather elements such as precipitation and temperature had direct impact on groundwater availability. This is critical for groundwater development and management in the study area and in Sierra Leone at large.