IGRAC presents FREEWAT at 35th IGC in Cape Town

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During the 35th International Geological Congress, IGRAC presented the FREEWAT (FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management) in a poster session. FREEWAT is a HORIZON 2020 project financed by the EU Commission under the call 'Water innovation: Boosting its value for Europe. The work presented during this congress is entitled as: FREEWAT a water management tool enhancing the participatory approach in the Stampriet aquifer system region.

Stampriet case study

The Stampriet case study, led by UNESCO-IHP with the technical support of IGRAC, will focus on developing a groundwater model and water budget for this large transboundary aquifer shared by Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Groundwater is the major source of domestic and agricultural water supply in the Stampriet region. The Stampriet aquifer is considered to be relatively vulnerable to overexploitation and contamination. The management of the aquifer system is even more challenging because of its transboundary nature that hampers data availability and exchange. Through promoting a cooperative environment among water specialists, policy-makers and implementing agencies, FREEWAT will encourage and enhance a scientific and participatory approach in water resources management. FREEWAT’s inclusive process to develop a groundwater model for the aquifer by fully involving national authorities and local institutions will be milestone to strengthen transboundary cooperation and develop harmonized policies as a means to ensure a sustainable exploitation of the groundwater resource among the three countries.

To download the poster click here.

Case Study