Kenedougou: In the Kenedougou province, several localities, notably the villages of Kassanga and Dissanga, are home to boreholes and artesian springs from which water has flowed continuously for decades, without the need for any pumping mechanism. This natural phenomenon, both fascinating and mysterious, remains largely untapped, even though it could help meet water needs, support agriculture, strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change, and boost the local economy. An immersion into the heart of these water resources, surrounded by myths and beliefs!
According to Burkina Information Agency, Kassanga, a village in the commune of Djigouera, offers a unique natural spectacle. On a typical morning, the sun begins its ascent above this verdant village, creating an impressive natural setting. Just a short distance from the village, a "miracle" has been unfolding for decades: water gushes from the ground, day and night, even during the dry season. For the local people, the phenomenon is both natural and spiritual. The stories surrounding this natural spring are numerous and varied, with some considering it a gift of nature and others a sacred place.
The village chief of Kassanga, Karim Traore, recounts that near the well lies a sacred clump of trees that shelters crocodiles and boa constrictors, considered harmless, which are sometimes seen during the day. He warns that this sacred place remains forbidden to anyone acting in bad faith or with malicious intent. The phenomenon is similarly revered in Dissanga, a neighboring village, where the artesian spring was discovered in 1983 during a water-seeking drilling operation. The village chief, Mamadou Ouattara, emphasizes the sacred nature of this well, noting that it has become a place for meeting and social cohesion.
According to Mamadou Ouattara, artesian wells have become much more than simple sources of water: they are now places for meeting and social cohesion. The Provincial Director of Water, Sanitation and Environment for Kenedougou, Mathieu Ouedraogo, explains that this phenomenon results from a specific geological process. The Mouhoun Water Agency (AEM), plays a key role in the management and protection of water resources within its area of responsibility, which covers the Kenedougou region. Its Director of Water Resource Development and Protection, Ibrahim Aka, clarifies the distinction between natural springs and artesian wells.
Gerard Dabini, an environmentalist working for the Kenedougou Provincial Directorate of Water and Sanitation, notes that water from an artesian well presents a low risk of bacterial contamination. According to him, in a context marked by climate change, these water sources represent a true strategic asset. They guarantee a regular water supply, contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems, and offer multiple possibilities for use. In Kassanga, as in Dissanga and several other localities in the province, artesian wells represent a true source of relief for women, who have long faced difficulties accessing drinking water. For young people, these water sources offer opportunities to reduce dependence on the rainy season, combat rural exodus, and create sustainable jobs.
Despite the potential, the reality on the ground is far removed from the hopes raised by these water resources. Far from being development hubs, these infrastructures present a dismal sight. The reasons given by the local population are numerous, including a lack of support and guidance from the government and a lack of local ownership. Yet, some initiatives have indeed emerged, such as the "Dji Sene" project launched in 2014 around the artesian well in Dissanga, although it eventually stalled due to management issues.
According to Mathieu Ouedraogo, these springs could theoretically supply the entire population of the province. However, the rate of access to drinking water at the provincial level remains lower than the national average. Beyond technical aspects, the weight of traditional beliefs constitutes a significant obstacle. In some localities, the exploitation of these artesian water sources is strictly forbidden by the local populations themselves.
In the agricultural sector, the situation is hardly optimistic. Gassi Lougue, the provincial director of agriculture for Kenedougou, notes that well water is used primarily for drinking and livestock watering, with only marginal use for agriculture. He cites the lack of easily arable farmland near the well sites as a difficulty. Ibrahim Aka also notes that a multi-purpose hydraulic infrastructure project built by the government is now suffering from major malfunctions.
Faced with the need to better utilize this potential, voices are rising. Local communities, elected officials, and technical experts agree on the need for collective action to ensure sustainable development of these resources. The population is advocating for the transformation of these resources into a multi-purpose drinking water supply system and the creation of local mineral water production units. They hope for technical and financial support from the government and its partners to initiate viable projects around these water sources. With optimal management, these resources could become a genuine driver of local development.