Ceel

A ceel is a hole dug or drilled into the ground to reach water stored in an aquifer, a water-bearing layer of soil. Water is extracted using buckets and rope, hand-operated pumps, or mechanical pumps powered by diesel or electricity.

Wells are among the oldest water sources used by people. In areas with low rainfall, such as much of Somalia, wells are essential for water supply to people, livestock, and small-scale farming. The lives of nomadic herders and the conduct of pastoral economies depend largely on the location of wells.

Types

Large hand-dug wells have a wide opening with a diameter of one meter or more, and are typically less than 100 meters deep; it is possible to enter and exit them. Tube wells or boreholes are narrow holes drilled by machine, reaching greater depths. There also exist artesian wells, where the pressure of groundwater forces water to the surface without requiring a pump.

Construction and maintenance

The walls of hand-dug wells are usually reinforced with stone, cement, or rings to prevent the soil from collapsing. The opening of the well is fitted with a low wall and cover to prevent livestock, debris, or surface water from falling in. When silt and sediment fill the well, cleaning (nadfin) becomes necessary to maintain water quality.

Water quality and health

Well water varies: some is fresh, while others is brackish or contains high salinity, especially in areas near the coast or where water has been over-extracted. Uncovered wells can be contaminated by bacteria from latrines and waste, linked to waterborne disease. Experts therefore recommend keeping wells separated from waste sites, and in some cases treating the water.

Community wells and management

In many places, a well is communal property governed by customary agreements: rules typically involve the person or family or clan that dug it, and regulations on who may use the water and when livestock can drink. In droughts, competition for wells and water access can become a source of conflict. Today, large public wells are often managed by water committees or service organizations, which charge fees to cover fuel and maintenance costs.