Understanding temporal variability in groundwater levels is essential for water resources management. In sub‐Saharan Africa, groundwater level dynamics are poorly constrained due to limited long‐term observations. Here, we present the first published analysis of temporal variability in groundwater levels at the national scale in sub‐Saharan Africa, using 12 multidecadal (ca. 1980s to present) groundwater level hydrographs in Burkina Faso. For each hydrograph, we developed lumped parameter models which achieved acceptable calibrations (NSE = 0.5–0.99). For eight sites not showing significant (p < 0.001) long‐term groundwater level declines, we reconstructed groundwater levels to 1902, over 50 years before the earliest observations in the tropics. We standardized and clustered the eight reconstructed hydrographs to compare responses across the sites. Overall, the 12 hydrographs were categorized into three groups, which are dominated by (1) long‐term declines (four sites), (2) short‐term intra‐annual variability (three sites), and (3) long‐term multidecadal variability (five sites). We postulate that group 1 is controlled by anthropogenic influences (land use change and abstraction). Correlation of modeled water table depth and groundwater response times with hydrograph autocorrelation suggests that hydrogeological properties and structure control differences between groups 2 and 3. Group 3 shows a small recovery in groundwater levels following the 1970/1980s drought. Differences in intra‐annual to multidecadal variability in groundwater levels have implications for water management and highlight the value of long‐term monitoring. Reconstructions contextualize current groundwater status, forecasts, and projections. The approach developed is generic and applicable where long‐term groundwater level data exist.

Granting safe water access worldwide is a major objective of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water access is a manifold concept that encompasses collection time, distance from the household, water quality, affordability, and reliability of water sources, among other factors. GIS-based methods can be particularly useful in improving water access estimates, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Based on an extensive water point database (n = 770), this paper explores the main challenges involved in mapping water access in two rural communes of Burkina Faso. Water access is estimated in terms of coverage per surface area. Coverage is filtered into four distinct categories of improved water sources, namely existing infrastructures, operational infrastructures, permanent infrastructures, and permanent infrastructures that provide safe water. The outcomes suggest that the study area is better endowed with water access than rural Burkina Faso and the remainder of the African continent, although there are important questions regarding groundwater quality. The outcomes highlight the conceptual differences between coverage and access, as well as some of the practical difficulties involved in estimating water access beyond standard ratios. The shortcomings include the absence of continuous monitoring of infrastructure functionality and water quality, as well as water affordability, among others. Enhancing national borehole databases with items aligned with the United Nations’ definition of water access is recommended.

Groundwater quality assessment is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In Burkina Faso, groundwater is a vital natural resource supporting socio-economic development, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity and quality are significant challenges. Climatic conditions in the country made of a long, hot and dry season followed by a short rainy period, result in considerable variability in water availability. Rapid population growth exacerbates these challenges by increasing water demand in both urban and rural areas; therefore, putting additional pressure on the already limited water resources. Moreover, the expansion of mining and agricultural activities further stresses these resources with contaminations from use of hazardous substances and over-extraction. The use of fertilizers and pesticides contributes to pollution, posing serious risks to human health and local ecosystems. Given the strategic importance of groundwater for Burkina Faso development amidst these growing challenges, a comprehensive understanding of groundwater quality is essential. This study focuses on the Eastern Region of Burkina Faso and aims to analyze the spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters related to groundwater quality in order to support sustainable water resource management and public health initiatives. Water samples from 42 sites were collected and analyzed for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The data were processed using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS 10.8 to produce spatial maps of these parameters. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated to classify groundwater quality as "Excellent" (WQI < 50), "Good" (50 ≤ WQI ≤ 100), or "Poor" (WQI > 100). The results revealed significant spatial variability in groundwater quality with concentrations sometimes exceeding WHO-standards. Specifically, 38.10% of the analyzed samples exceeded the standard for nitrates while 28.57% of the samples show turbidity above recommended thresholds. TDS levels vary considerably, reaching maximum values of 1,336 mg/L and electrical conductivity values reached 1,336 µS/cm. These results demonstrate marked heterogeneity in water quality parameters across the region. The generated maps could serve as valuable tool for decision-makers to enable identification of areas requiring particular attention for groundwater quality management.