Connecting Geologists to International Development

CSPG Environment Division TalkJanuary 25, 2013

David BethuneUniversity of Calgary

http://larc.ucalgary.ca/david-bethune

Outline

1. Hydrogeology and International Development

2. Hydrogeologists Without Borders

Problem statement: Major efforts to provide improved water supply

in developing countries are thwarted and often fail because of the inability to find, develop and sustain groundwater resources.

The field of hydrogeology is not “well”-integrated into international

development efforts

What is hydrogeology?

Geological mapping

Drilling & instrumentation

Field measurements &

gw sampling

Lab analyses & interpretation

Hydrogeological expertise is the integrated knowledge of geology, groundwater flow, natural groundwater chemistry and contamination towards the sustainable extraction of good quality groundwater resources within the

constraints of the hydrologic cycle

How does water fit into ‘International Development’?

‘Watsan, or WASH ‘

How does hydrogeology fit into the ‘Water and Sanitation’ Sector?

Hydrogeology fits into most, if not all, of these core activities…..

• 50 % of potable water supplies

• 40 % of self-supplied industry

• 20 % of irrigated agriculture.

UNESCO (2003)

Worldwide Groundwater Use

• Drought or dry season resistant

• Close to the point of demand

• Excellent natural quality

• Can be developed incrementally

• Technology simple

• Naturally protected fromcontamination

Why Groundwater?

• often polluted near where we need them• usually fully or nearly-fully exploited• unreliable seasonally • highly impacted by storm events

The Problem with Surface Water

‘A spectacular increase in groundwater development for irrigation has taken place during the last half century in

most arid and semiarid countries: a kind of Silent Revolution, carried out mostly by the personal initiative of

millions of modest farmers in pursuit of the significant short-term benefits groundwater usually triggers.’

M.R. LlamasP. Martinez-SantosIntensive Groundwater Use: Silent Revolution and Potential Source of Social Conflicts

Groundwater and the “Silent Revolution”

Groundwater Use for Irrigation Country Irrigated

Area (M ha)

Irrigation Use

(km3/yr)

% GW

Bangladesh 3.8 13 69India 50 460 53Iran 7.3 64 50Pakistan 14 151 34Morocco 1.1 10 31Mexico 5.4 61 27Argentina 1.6 19 25China 48 408 18

UNESCO (2006) estimates that half the world’s megacities and hundreds of other major cities on all continents rely upon or make significant use of groundwater.

Reliance of Megacities on Groundwater

Groundwater for Potable Water Supply in Africa

Algeria: > 60%

Libya: 95%

Mauritania: 80%

Nigeria: > 90%

South Africa: 65%

Ghana: 80% Over 75% of improved village and small town (i.e. rural) water supplies in sub-Sahara Africa are supplied by groundwater.

Why the increase in groundwater pumpage?

The drilling rigMechanized pumping(Especially the submersible pump)

Groundwater Usage in Central America

Country/City Population(millions)

Groundwater Usage (%)

Belize 0.27 <50

Guatemala 12.6 >60

Guatemala City 2.2 90

Honduras 7.2 60-70

San Pedro Sula 0.90 60-70

El Salvador 6.9 >80

San Salvador 1.5 60

Nicaragua 5.5 95

Managua 1.3 100

Costa Rica 4.3 90

San Jose 1.0 64

Panama 3.2 50

Panama City 1.3 ND

TOTAL 40 70-90

Rural water well in Guatemala

Importance of Groundwater in Central America

Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources:

1 liter per minute for 40 families

Latrines and wells in close proximity in rural Nicaragua

(photos D. Bethune 2010)

2005: Initiated in Calgary by a small group of hydrogeologists

2007: Incorporated with Industry Canada

2010: Registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency

2011: Board of Directors and Scientific Committee formed

HWB Background

Board of Directors (secretary: Dr. Cathryn Ryan)

Michael CampanaProfessor, Oregon State Univ.John Cherry

Adj. Prof., U of Guelph

Bernadette ConantExec. Director, Canadian Water

NetworkGreg ShybaCEO, Cross Conservation

David BethuneCARA Director, University of Calgary

Catherine MainAlberta Innovates Technology Futures

Peter ThompsonDirector, Training & ConsultingCAWST.org

Scientific Committee

Dr. Ramon AravenaUniversity of WaterlooCanada

Dr. Stephen FosterU.K.

Dr. Ricardo HirataUniversity of SaoPaolo, Brazil

Dr. David KreamerUniversity of LasVegas

Dr. Antonio ChambelUniversity of AlgarvePortugal

Pending additional members from Africa and other regions

Vision

A world where groundwater is developed and sustainably managed for community water supplies

Mission

Hydrogeologists Without Borders builds capacity in

emerging regions to provide safe, sustainable water supplies

HWB is NOT another organization drilling community water wells

ratherHWB wants to FACILITATE and give ADDED VALUE to the water and sanitation sector

through CAPACITY BUILDING

Goal 1

Establish HWB as the “go-to portal” for practitioners on best practices for groundwater development & sustainability

Goal 2

Facilitate the creation of a growing pool of professional and technical hydrogeologists in regions of critical need.

Goal 3

Facilitate increased application of sound hydrogeological principles and practices in aid and development programs

Goal 4

Establish HWB as a valued partner and leader in international networks of organizations engaged in developing safe sustainable community water supplies

Goal 5

Ensure that HWB maintains ongoing financial resources necessary to deliver on its mission

Student Fellowship• For hydrogeology graduate students studying

in programs in emerging regions • For thesis research expenses• Students submit application packages to HWB

Scientific Committee for selection

M.Osorio M. EduardoA. AmayaG. FloresC. Abrego

2012 Fellowships awarded to:

How you can get involved

Make a regular financial contribution to HWB via Canada Helps

Volunteer with HWB

How can your organization get involved?• Directly support an Executive Director to take HWB

‘to the next level’• Fund development of appropriate capacity

building materials (e.g. wikipedia-type groundwater textbook)

• Sponsor (and mentor) an HWB student fellowship• Sponsor (and mentor) an HWB Chair at a partner

university

Thank-you for your attention!

Comments and thoughts welcome

info@hydrogeologistswithoutborders.org