Acoustic Sensor–Based Borehole Monitoring in Semi-Arid African Regions

Wells and boreholes have long served as critical sources of freshwater in the semi-arid and arid regions of Africa. Despite their importance, effective monitoring of these water points remains limited due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining dedicated observation wells, resulting in sparse and unreliable datasets. This study explores a cost-effective approach to groundwater monitoring by equipping operational wells and boreholes with low frequency acoustic sensors integrated into a scalable wireless sensor network. The system enables continuous acquisition of time-series data on water levels, discharge rates, and recharge dynamics. The major innovation here is that we use existing and operational water infrastructure as monitoring points. The presentation will demonstrate the principles, advantages, and obstacles that still need to be overcome. The proposed method improves data availability and supports more sustainable groundwater management across data-scarce regions in Africa.