Sand Storage Dam (Sand Dam)¶

Drilling & Wells • Est. CapEx: $10,000 USD • Lifespan: 30 Years (Standardized)

Technical Overview¶

A small reinforced concrete or masonry dam built across a seasonal sandy riverbed to trap coarse sand and store water within the sand pores. This low-tech intervention provides year-round water access for domestic and agricultural use in arid and semi-arid regions, primarily in East Africa.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	Drilling & Wells
Capital Cost (CapEx)	$10,000 USD
Power / Energy	100% Gravity / Zero Power
Target Scale	Community Scale
Standard Lifespan	30 Years (Standardized)
Technology Maturity	Field Tested
Primary Mechanism	The dam wall traps coarse sand carried by seasonal floods, forming an artificial aquifer. Water stored in the pore spaces of the sand is protected from evaporation and contamination, and can be abstracted via wells, scoop holes, or outlet pipes. The sand also provides natural filtration of pathogens and sediment.

Engineering Trade-Offs¶

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

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