Generating peri-Urban Aquifer Resiliency in the Dakar-Mbour-Thiès (DMT) triangle, Senegal

project summary

Groundwater is the hidden lifeline of Senegal, especially in the Dakar-Mbour-Thiès (DMT) triangle, which contains one-third of Senegal's population and drives more than half of the country’s economy. Yet this vital resource is under strain: wells are dropping by tens of meters, saltwater is intruding from the coast, and climate change is making rainfall less reliable. Rapid urban growth and rising demand threaten to worsen the crisis, putting millions of people at risk of water scarcity and poor water quality.

The GUARD project (Generating peri-Urban Aquifer Resiliency in the Dakar-Mbour-Thiès triangle) will help safeguard Senegal’s groundwater by exploring how Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) can restore aquifers and build resilience. MAR enhances natural replenishment through basins, sand dams, or injection wells. GUARD will identify the best sites and designs for MAR, ensuring solutions are technically sound, cost-effective, and socially inclusive.

To achieve this, GUARD combines field surveys, satellite data, geophysical mapping, and computer models to understand how water moves underground. A network of low-cost sensors will provide real-time data on groundwater levels and salinity, making monitoring transparent and accessible. Local authorities and communities will be central partners, ensuring solutions fit local needs and strengthen governance.

The project will deliver improved groundwater maps, future climate and water scenarios, and open-access tools to guide policy. It will also train new Senegalese PhDs, build institutional capacity, and provide evidence-based recommendations to secure safe and reliable water. In doing so, GUARD supports Senegal’s national water goals and global climate and development targets.