The Groundwater Resources Governance in Transboundary Aquifers (GGRETA) Project addresses issues related to Transboundary Aquifers and responds to the pressing need of increasing the knowledge on their physical and socioeconomics characteristics. It is an integral component of the UNESCO’s International Shared Aquifer Resource Management (ISARM) Initiative and the Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP).

In-depth assessments have been conducted in three selected case studies:

• The Esquipulas-Ocotepeque-Citalá (Trifinio) Aquifer in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
• The Stampriet-Kalahari/Karoo Aquifer in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
• The Pretashkent Aquifer in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The role of IGRAC

Together with partner organisations, IGRAC has developed the GGRETA multidisciplinary assessment methodology. During the project IGRAC has been leading the implementation of this methodology, and has provided training to regional experts.  

In the project, IGRAC is responsible for data and information management; also IGRAC provides technical support to the project management and transboundary aquifer teams. In addition, IGRAC designed and developed a GGRETA Information Management System (IMS) to store, visualise and share information collected during the three aquifer assessments.

Project Objectives

1. Building recognition of the shared nature of the resource, and mutual trust through joint fact finding and science based diagnostics.
2. Reaching consensus on transboundary governance mechanisms through consultative process.

The expected project outcomes include a thorough assessment of the transboundary aquifers, a common information management system and monitoring program and the establishment of transboundary cooperation mechanisms.