Projects

Since 2003, IGRAC has been involved in numerous projects and below is shown a selection of past and running projects. 

The Global Groundwater Monitoring Network (GGMN) is a network of networks, set up to improve quality and accessibility of groundwater monitoring information and subsequently our knowledge on the state of groundwater resources.

Chacani, Peru (Copernicus), by ESA

G3P aims at developing a product of groundwater storage variations with global coverage and monthly resolution from 2002 until present by a cross-cutting combination of GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite gravity data with water storage data that are based on the existing portfolio of the Copernicus services.

correspondents overview page

In this volunteer programme, IGRAC will team up with groundwater enthusiasts who have local stories that deserve to have a global audience.

Expansion SADC-GIP

The SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) has initiated a project to expand the SADC Groundwater Information Portal (SADC-GIP) and make it a one-stop centre for accessing groundwater data in the SADC region. The project started in September 2019 and will finish in June 2020.

Overview image SADC GIP project

IGRAC was commissioned by SADC-GMI to develop and maintain the SADC Groundwater Information Portal (SADC-GIP), which is a map-based information system providing access to the harmonised SADC Hydrogeological Map and Atlas.

Groundwater Game overview image

The game provides opportunities to learn concepts related to groundwater use such as drawdown and depletion as well as gain insight into common pool resources, groundwater governance, groundwater management, and collective action.

SADC Groundwater Grey Literature Archive

The project will build upon the recent work of BGS in developing the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive (AGLA), which has improved functionalities and contains about 4000 documents for the SADC region. The current content will be revised and completed, if necessary.

WHYMAP map

In the framework of the WHYMAP programme, regional hydrogeological as well as various thematic & advocacy maps are developed for the ECOWAS region.

UMVOTO overview

The programme seeks to catalyse research that can help collate and consolidate existing data and to apply big data tools to enhance national and transboundary datasets in Southern Africa that support water resources security decision-making.

CC Balancing Act by Anita Ritenour

Most refugees are hosted by the least developing countries where access to water and sanitation is already a challenge. This IGRAC project is about collecting, processing and making available of information relevant for groundwater assessment in regions with refugees or regions prone to conflict.

Kura project overview

UNDP-GEF Kura Project partners intend to guide national groundwater experts within the relevant authorities to conduct an agreed assessment of shared resources, and to provide a harmonized online data management system for groundwater monitoring to support the improvement of capacities of relevant responsible bodies in both Azerbaijan and Georgia.

SADC-GMI

IGRAC is leading the implementation of a project on Capacity Building on Groundwater Data Collection and Management for SADC Member States (SADC-GWdataCoM project).

The project ‘Potential Role of the Transboundary Ramotswa Aquifer’ (RAMOTSWA project) focusses on one of the most important shared aquifers in the Limpopo Basin: The Ramotswa Aquifer which is shared between Botswana and South Africa. 

Internationally Shared Aquifer Resources Management (ISARM)

The ISARM (Internationally Shared Aquifer Resources Management) Initiative aims at improving the understanding of scientific, socio-economic, legal, institutional and environmental issues related to the management of transboundary aquifers.

In the Fields in Sherpur, Himachal Pradesh, India by Michael Foley

Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP) is an IWMI initiative to strengthen, expand and connect groundwater-related projects and initiatives. IGRAC is involved in the GRIPP initiative as one of the main strategic partners.

The GGRETA (Groundwater Resources Governance in Transboundary Aquifers) Project addresses issues related to transboundary aquifers, particularly in Central America, Southern Africa and Central Asia.

TWAP Groundwater is the groundwater component of the overall Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme, which aimed at conducting the first global baseline assessment of transboundary water systems.

DIKTAS

The DIKTAS project aims at focusing the attention of the international community on the huge but vulnerable water resources contained in karst aquifers, which are widespread globally, but poorly understood. It particularly focuses on the Dinaric Karst System, located in Eastern Europe.

Digging for Water by DFID-UK

GroFutures is a 4-year research project that develops the scientific evidence base, tools and participatory processes by which groundwater resources can be used sustainably for poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

The IW:LEARN project strengthens transboundary water management around the globe by collecting and sharing best practices, lessons learned, and innovative solutions to common problems.

Well in the Desert [credit: Christoph Rupprecht | https://bit.ly/3TdGroI]

The training manual on 'Integration of Groundwater Management into Transboundary Basin Organizations in Africa' has been designed to help develop capacity within the basin organisations to manage their transboundary groundwater issues.  

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)

IGAD-MAR is a Managed Aquifer Recharge project carried out in the transboundary Merti Aquifer shared between Kenya and Somalia, which aims at strengthening national and regional capacities in the field of water resources management.

The MAR Portal, launched by IGRAC and TU Dresden, is a web-based system that shows data from about 1200 case studies from over 50 countries. 

FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management

FREEWAT (FREE and open source tools for WATer resource management) is a HORIZON 2020 project financed by the EU Commission that results in an open source GIS modelling environment for the simulation of water quantity and quality in surface water and groundwater.

Overview NOEVA

The objective of the NOEVA project is that people living in the main coastal city of Benin (Greater-Cotonou) have sustainable access to water.

Africa Groundwater Portal

IGRAC presents the results of maps developed by the BGS with UCL, funded by the UK DFID (UK Aid), to quantify the groundwater resources of Africa. These are the first quantitative continent-wide maps which give an introduction to how groundwater resources vary across Africa.

CC Somaliland Oxfam

The Chronicles is an international consortium of scientists from across Africa and beyond collating and analysing multi-decadal records of groundwater levels, representing long-term aquifer dynamics.

Stampriet fieldwork [Credit Kirstin Conti (former IGRAC staff)]

'Norms in Multilevel Groundwater Governance & Sustainable Development' is a PhD research that Kirstin Conti with IGRAC as PhD candidate at UVA.

Paisajes del río Amazonas [credit: Andrés M. | https://bit.ly/3TinjWA]

In the period of 2000-2010, the Groundwater Management Advisory Team (GW-MATE) provided an original and very valuable contribution to the understanding of groundwater in general, including mitigation of groundwater-related problems and sustainable groundwater use. 

Groundwater Resources Assessment under the Pressures of Humanity and Climate Change

The GRAPHIC (Groundwater Resources Assessment under the Pressures of Humanity and Climate Change) project raises awareness about the impact of climate change on groundwater resources by providing a platform for exchange of knowledge and information.

Groundwater, the Hidden Resource

The animated video ´Groundwater, the Hidden Resource´ was created as part of IGRAC´s #HiddenResource campaign in 2014 to raise awareness about the importance of groundwater.

Overview blue desert project

Blue Desert conducts a feasibility study for the development of an integrated monitoring & control service to assist customers in desert areas to manage groundwater resources.

Strengthening the institutional capacity of African Network of Basin Organization (ANBO), contributing to the improved transboundary water governance in Africa.

The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was set up to assess the status of global climate observations on a regular base and to produce guidance for its improvement. GCOS expert panels dedicated to atmosphere, land and ocean maintain definitions of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs).

Glaciers [Credit: Pat W. Sanders | https://bit.ly/3wRGGOF]

GTN-H is one of the networks of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), established in 2001 to establish a global network of hydrological networks, and to develop and execute projects that facilitate access to such networks and data.