Updated 2026-10-23
How do you find groundwater in the desert, for example in Saudi Arabia or Namibia?
In deserts the usable water is often deep in fractured rock or dolomite, so siting the borehole on a water-bearing fracture matters more than drilling deeper. WaterLocation projects in Saudi Arabia, Namibia and the Kalahari found 200 to 1,000 m³ a day on sites with negative forecasts or mostly failed wells.
Desert projects
| Site | Before | Result | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia, agricultural client | Negative forecasts, client about to stop | Artesian at 43 m, main source at 150 m | 1,000 m³/day |
| Kalahari, Namibia, hotel complex | 9 wells, only one all year | Two wells: water at 57 m and 21 m | 100 + 350+ m³/day |
| Kalahari, South Africa, hotel complex | 25 boreholes, 4 steady | 150 m borehole, static level 28 m | ≈200 m³/day |
Salt water
Desert sites often have saline layers. The drilling specification includes selective casing or packers to keep salt water out, and the water quality is confirmed by a lab test after drilling.
Questions
Do you work in the UAE and the Gulf?
Yes, the Gulf, Africa and Europe. Send the site location with your request.
Will the water be fresh?
Quality depends on the site and is confirmed by a lab test; in these projects it has typically been fresh.