IGRAC, the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, is a UNESCO centre that works under auspices of WMO and is supported by the Government of The Netherlands. IGRAC specialises in regional- and transboundary-level assessment and monitoring of groundwater resources with a focus on managed aquifer recharge, groundwater governance and SIDS.
One of IGRAC’s flagship products is the Global Groundwater Information System (GGIS). It is a web-based Geographic Information System, which supports the storage, visualisation, analysis and sharing of groundwater data and information through map-based modules. The GGIS is a highly interactive system that can easily be enlarged with new thematic and/or regional (project) modules.
IGRAC, Your Partner in Groundwater
IGRAC, Your Partner in Groundwater
(1 in 10) still lack access to safe drinking water (WHO & UNICEF, 2015)
In Africa, more people have access to a mobile phone (93%) than to piped water (63%) (Afrobarometer, 2016)
Globally, 1/3 of all schools lack access to safe water (WHO & UNICEF, 2015)
Groundwater supplies 1/2 of all drinking water in the world (UNESCO-WWAP, 2009)
Groundwater supplies 43% of the global consumptive use in irrigation (Siebert et al., 2010)
Two-thirds of the World’s groundwater is abstracted in Asia (UN WWDR 2012)
World’s aggregated groundwater abstraction is 1,000 km3 per year
67% of all groundwater is used for irrigation (food production)
22% of all groundwater is used for domestic purposes (drinking water and sanitation)
11% of all groundwater is used for industry
News
Post date: Wed, 10/11/2017 - 11:01
From 25 to 29 September 2017, the Croatian national chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) hosted the 44th annual IAH congress in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Post date: Mon, 10/09/2017 - 14:01
From 20 to 22 September 2017, the 3rd and final FREEWAT general consortium meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain. During this meeting, the main outcomes and concrete tools developed by the FREEWAT (FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management) project were shared with all consortium members and stakeholders that participated in the meeting (including IGRAC).
Post date: Wed, 09/13/2017 - 14:03
The Junior/Medior Groundwater Specialist participates in the development and implementation of all IGRAC activities and projects, including the Global Groundwater Monitoring Network (GGMN) programme and the assessment of internationally shared aquifers within the ISARM programme. The specialist updates the content of the Global Groundwater Information System (GGIS), maintains the underlying database and online portal and oversees further GGIS software development. The duties also include organising, conducting and follow-up of meetings and workshops organised by IGRAC in various parts of the world.
Post date: Wed, 09/06/2017 - 11:09
The WHYMAP consortium has launched the World Karst Aquifer Map (WoKAM). The map is intended to increase the awareness of these valuable but vulnerable freshwater supplies and to help to address global water resources management. This World Karst Aquifer Map allows a more precise global quantification of karst systems and will help to increase awareness of karst groundwater resources in the context of global water issues.
Events
Event Date:
Monday, October 9, 2017 (All day) to Friday, October 13, 2017 (All day)
From 9 to 13 October 2017, IHE Delft and IGRAC will organise a training on ‘Groundwater Governance to Improve Sustainable Groundwater Management for Food Security and Livelihoods under Climate Change and Rising Competing demands’ in Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin.
Event Date:
Thursday, November 2, 2017 - 16:00 to 16:30
On Thursday 2 November 2017, IGRAC's Communication Specialist Stefan Siepman will give a presentation during webinar organised by NGWA.
Event Date:
Sunday, March 18, 2018 (All day) to Friday, March 23, 2018 (All day)
The World Water Forum is the world’s biggest water-related event and is organized by the World Water Council. Its mission is “to promote awareness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development...
Event Date:
Monday, May 7, 2018 (All day) to Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (All day)
From 7 to 9 May 2018, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO OMM) will organise a global conference on “Prosperity through Hydrological Services” and IGRAC has been invited to contribute to this meeting as well.