UNESCO: Groundwater for Emergency Situations

The UNESCO IHP project ‘Groundwater for Emergency Situations’ is ambitious and aims to support emergency situations where groundwater resources are being impacted.

“The aim of the UNESCO IHP project ‘Groundwater for Emergency Situations’ (GWES) is to consider natural catastrophic events that could adversely influence human health and life and to identify in advance emergency groundwater resources resistant to natural disasters that could replace damaged public and domestic drinking water supplies.”

An excellent summary document [PDF] not only provides a summary of the project, but provides a well detailed collection of information about groundwater resources.

Geographic information systems (GIS) are an integral component of this work, and many maps and examples are provided throughout the document.

AquiMed is a Mediterranean based project that aims to build capacity with respect to groundwater understanding. The project states, “new groundwater management practices have to be developed to prevent further degradation of groundwater resources and to support water users’ adaptation to increasing water scarcity.”

The BRGM(Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) in France is also involved in groundwater research, education and outreach.  I earlier reviewed the book  Arc Hydro – Groundwater GIS for Hydrogeology.