Ground Water Resources in Africa: new Insights

-- an SWMTHiNKTANK article

In a recent publication British scientists evaluated the potential amount of fresh-water resources in Africa based upon maps, publications and further qualitative and quantitative information [1], [2]. Accordingly, the volume of subterrestrial fresh-water resources are estimated to amount to about 0.66 Mio km3 [3]. One of the key information sources for the researchers were once more a set of high-resolution maps [4]. According to the results major ground-water resources are located in Libya, Algeria, Egypt, and Sudan. Despite the identified potential availability of the precious good 'water' in regions otherwise endangered by shortages of almost every kind the problem exists that this resource currently is not usable. An outdated technical equipment (hand pumps) presents one of the key challenges to address in order to provide for sustainable water supply [5], [6]. Also in this context it might be useful to favor a diversified water supply solution, i.e. to consider different sources for public water supply including, for example (and where reasonable) rain water harvesting [7], [8]. An over-exploitation (for instance for irrigation) needs to be seriously avoided [9] alike as the consideration of fossil ground water resources for water supply [10], [11].

Further readings: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

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