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Management of transboundary aquifers: key issues and challenges. Dr. Callist Tindimugaya Commissioner, Water Resources Planning and Regulation Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda. First GEF International waters science conference, Bangkok, 24-26 September 12.
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Management of transboundary aquifers: key issues and challenges Dr. CallistTindimugaya Commissioner, Water Resources Planning and Regulation Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda First GEF International waters science conference, Bangkok, 24-26 September 12
Groundwater…the “hidden” resource • Undercover, often forgotten, stored in underground reservoirs (aquifers) and transmitted through interconnected spaces • Aquifers have huge differences with respect to their hydrogeological setting • Aquifers have storage, transmission and interaction capacity
Groundwater is an important part of the Water Cycle Groundwater stored = Water resources inherited from the past millennia
Groundwater in Africa • Key source of water for drinking(urban & rural supplies), livestock, and small scale irrigation • Has enabled communities across Africa to adapt to seasonal or perennial shortages in surface water • Groundwater management is fundamental to effective river basin management e.g 80 % of the Niger River water is from groundwater. Groundwater- dependent cities
Management of transboundary aquifers • Around 41 transboundary aquifers exist in Africa • Framework for managing TW GW: establish transboundary aquifer management organisations or integrate GW in RB ?? • Promote transboundary aquifer monitoring and assessment to improve scientific knowledge • Communicate scientific findings in an easy to understand language • Need some form of peer review mechanism to review scientific findings
Summing up • What is the role/value of groundwater in socio-economic development and improving water security • What is the role of GW in greening the economy in Africa • How does SW and GW interact and how to integrate GW in RBO • Need for guidelines for TW GW assessment and monitoring • Need to assess impact of CC on TW groundwater resources and its implications