UPGro to be presented at Hydrogeology & WASH Conference 2014

What can hydrogeologists contribute to safe water supply and poverty reduction?

Conference Information
Date: 5th June 2014
Time: 9:30am – 6:30pm (including drinks reception)
Venue: Burlington House, London
Organisers/Sponsors: HWB-UK, IAH, Hydrogeological Group

Conference Background
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 WASH (Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering) 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.

Agenda
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

The NGO perspective
tbc

Groundwater research in the service of water sector practitioners
Richard Carter, Richard Carter Associates will be talking about the UPGro research programme and the progress so far.

The afternoon soapbox session will consist of a series of short presentations and posters to promote discussion between those involved in the practical delivery of WASH, and hydrogeologists with direct experience of groundwater resources in the developing world. The soapbox session aims to highlight some of the key issues associated with groundwater development and identify how WASH practitioners and hydrogeologists can work together more effectively to ensure the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of future projects. See below for details of how to contribute to the soapbox session.

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.

Talk WASH on a soapbox!!
We would welcome contributions to the soapbox session that address the following questions, particularly through case studies:

• Why do groundwater development projects succeed?
• Why do groundwater development projects fail? What are the main issues and how could these be avoided in the future?
• How does policy influence hydrogeology and WASH?
• What current research from within the groundwater community could contribute to WASH, and how is this transferred into practice?

Details on how to submit to the soapbox session can be found on the registration form. Submissions should be received by Friday 9th May 2014.

Registration
To register for this event please download a registration form and send to Kirsty Upton.
Email: kirlto@bgs.ac.uk
Address: British Geological Survey, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA
Phone: 0131 650 0210
For further information about the event please contact Kirsty using the details above.

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