Connecting Geologists to International Development

1. Connecting Geologists to International Development http://larc.ucalgary.ca/david-bethune CSPG Environment Division Talk January 25, 2013 David Bethune University of Calgary

2. Outline1. Hydrogeology and International Development2. Hydrogeologists Without Borders

3. 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.

4. The field of hydrogeology is not “well”-integrated into international development efforts

5. What is hydrogeology? Geological mapping Drilling & instrumentation Field measurements & gw sampling Lab analyses & interpretation

6. 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

7. How does water fit into ‘International Development’? ‘Watsan, or WASH ‘

8. How does hydrogeology fit into the ‘Water and Sanitation’ Sector? Hydrogeology fits into most, if not all, of these core activities…..

9. Worldwide Groundwater Use • 50 % of potable water supplies • 40 % of self-suppliedindustry • 20 % of irrigated agriculture. • UNESCO (2003)

10. Why Groundwater? • • Drought or dry seasonresistant • Close to the point of demand • • Excellent naturalquality • • Can bedevelopedincrementally • • Technology simple • • Naturallyprotectedfrom • contamination

11. The Problem with Surface Water • often polluted near where we need them • usually fully or nearly-fully exploited • unreliable seasonally • highly impacted by storm events

12. Groundwater and the “Silent Revolution” ‘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. Llamas P. Martinez-Santos Intensive Groundwater Use: Silent Revolution and Potential Source of Social Conflicts

14. Reliance of Megacities on Groundwater 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.

15. 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.

16. Why the increase in groundwater pumpage? Mechanized pumping (Especially the submersible pump) The drilling rig

17. Importance of Groundwater in Central America Rural water well in Guatemala

18. Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources:1 liter per minute for 40 families

19. Latrines and wells in close proximity in rural Nicaragua (photos D. Bethune 2010)

20. HWB Background 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

21. Board of Directors (secretary: Dr. Cathryn Ryan) Michael Campana Professor, Oregon State Univ. John Cherry Adj. Prof., U of Guelph • Bernadette Conant • Exec. Director, Canadian Water Network Greg Shyba CEO, Cross Conservation Peter Thompson Director, Training & Consulting CAWST.org Catherine Main Alberta Innovates Technology Futures David Bethune CARA Director, University of Calgary

22. Scientific Committee • Dr. Ramon Aravena • University of Waterloo • Canada • Dr. Antonio Chambel • University of Algarve • Portugal • Dr. Stephen Foster • U.K. • Dr. David Kreamer • University of Las • Vegas • Dr. Ricardo Hirata • University of Sao • Paolo, Brazil Pending additional members from Africa and other regions

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

24. Mission Hydrogeologists Without Borders builds capacity in emerging regions to provide safe, sustainable water supplies

25. HWB is NOT another organization drilling community water wellsratherHWB wants to FACILITATE and give ADDED VALUE to the water and sanitation sector through CAPACITY BUILDING

26. Goal 1 Establish HWB as the “go-to portal” for practitioners on best practices for groundwater development & sustainability

27. Goal 2 Facilitate the creation of a growing pool of professional and technical hydrogeologists in regions of critical need.

28. Goal 3 Facilitate increased application of sound hydrogeological principles and practices in aid and development programs

29. Goal 4 Establish HWB as a valued partner and leader in international networks of organizations engaged in developing safe sustainable community water supplies

30. Goal 5 Ensure that HWB maintains ongoing financial resources necessary to deliver on its mission

31. 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 2012 Fellowships awarded to: G. Flores A. Amaya M.Osorio M. Eduardo C. Abrego

32. How you can get involved Make a regular financial contribution to HWB via Canada Helps Volunteer with HWB

33. 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

34. Thank-you for your attention! Comments and thoughts welcome info@hydrogeologistswithoutborders.org