Events & Courses

Groundwater plays a key role in the provision of reliable water supplies in many less-developed regions of the world. Due to its complexity, a detailed understanding of the groundwater environment is often required to ensure that resources are exploited in a safe, sustainable and cost-effective way.

This one day meeting aims to promote links and discussion between experts from the groundwater community and those actively involved in the delivery of Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering (WASH) projects.

The key objectives of the meeting are:

1. To highlight some of the specific challenges associated with delivering water resources projects in an aid or development context
2. To explore the short and long term benefits of incorporating good groundwater science into water resources projects
3. To highlight current research from within the groundwater community and facilitate discussion on how this is best transferred into practice.

Time

9:30am - 6:30pm (including drinks reception)

Programme

The morning session will consist of a series of keynote presentations. Confirmed speakers include (additional speakers will be added in due course):

• Ensuring sustainability of WASH services: the need for good groundwater mapping, management and monitoring
  Guy Howard, Head of WASH Policy, Department for International Development
• Groundwater research in the service of water sector practitioners
  Richard Carter, Richard Carter Associates & visiting professor of International Water Development, Cranfield University
• Practicalities of developing groundwater resources in West Africa
  Samuel Diarra, World Vision West Africa WASH Director
• Reaching everyone everywhere, and how understanding the available water resource is critical: the case of Chikhwawa, Malawi
  Nick Burn, Chief of Programmes, Water For People

The afternoon soapbox session will consist of a series of workshops, short presentations, and posters. The workshops will give delegates the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues, from geo-contaminant issues in groundwater supply systems (led by World Vision), to hydrogeological gaps within the WASH sector (led by Oxfam and HWB), and the reasons behind borehole failure (BGS). The talks and poster sessions will also cover a wide range of issues related to groundwater development across Africa, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

The day will end with a panel discussion bringing together some of the key issues and learning points from the day. The meeting will conclude at 5:00pm and will be followed by a drinks reception to which all are welcome.

Registration

To register for this event please download a Registration Form and send to Kirsty Upton by Tuesday 27 May.

Email: [email protected]

Address: British Geological Survey, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA

Phone: 0131 650 0210

Rates

• HWB-UK member £25
• Employee of charitable organisation £25
• Geological Society fellow £25
• IAH member £25
• Student £10
• Other £50

Further Information

For further information about the event please contact Kirsty Upton using the details above.