Category: New publication
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New Paper: Contribution of physical factors to handpump borehole functionality in Africa
The latest from the Hidden Crisis project: Highlights Handpumps are the main water supply for rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa. However, studies show that >25 % of handpumps are non-functional at any time. We present results from a systematic field study of handpump borehole functionality. The study was designed to investigate the contribution of physical…
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Green Roads for Water- New World Bank Guide
Roads and water are generally seen as enemies, with water responsible for most of the damage to roads, and roads being a major cause of problems such as erosion, waterlogging, flooding, and dust storms. This tension, however, can be reversed. The concept of Green Roads for Water (also known as “Green Roads” or “roads for…
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New groundwater maps reveal interesting patterns about water security in Africa that could help it adapt to climate change
Reserves of groundwater in much of the populated parts of Africa are being replenished at rates that could help to protect communities against the damaging effects of climate change and sustain widespread groundwater pumping for drinking water, a new study reveals. Researchers estimate that the long-term groundwater recharge in Africa is approximately 15,000 km3 (cubic…
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New paper: Drinking water quality from rural handpump-boreholes in Africa
Open Access here: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab8031 Groundwater provides a vital source of drinking water for rural communities in many parts of Africa, particularly in the dry season when there are few safe alternative sources. This paper summarises results from a study (n = 428) assessing dry season water quality, both microbiological and inorganic chemistry, in handpump equipped…
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Technical brief now available – Project approach for defining and assessing rural water supply functionality and levels of performance
The Hidden Crisis project team have now published a Technical Brief on the methods developed and used by the project to assess rural water supply functionality and levels of performance – now available from here. This technical brief is aimed at sharing the learning and approaches developed by the project to look at how the…
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Rural water supply: a political economy analysis
The Hidden Crisis project team examined the political economy of rural water supply (RWS) in Ethiopia, Uganda and Malawi during 2017 and 2018. These are based on literature and interviews with government staff and water sector stakeholders to unpick systemic obstacles to sustainable access to water. The three reports summarising the key findings are…
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OPINION:- It’s time to look underground for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
Karen G. Villholth is a Principal Researcher with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), as well as Coordinator of the Global Groundwater Initiative GRIPP and a team member from UPGro GroFutures From Thomson Reuters New research reveals critical groundwater-related climate change impacts and resilience strategies In 2014-2016, southern Africa saw its worst drought…
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Extreme Floods, the Key to Climate Change Adaptation in Africa’s Drylands
According to scientists, understanding the nexus of climate extremes and groundwater replenishment is vital for sustainability. This improved understanding is also critical for producing reliable climate change impact projections and adaptation strategies. The new study also found that unlike drylands, where leakage from seasonal streams, rivers and ponds replenish groundwater, in humid areas groundwater is…
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Download now: Groundwater’s Contribution to Water Security in Africa
Edited by Dr Kirsty Upton and Dr Kerstin Danert, this paper has been prepared by researchers within the UPGro (Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor) Programme, along with colleagues from the International Association of Hydrogeologists, Africa Groundwater Network, and GRIPP.
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Lord of the Rain: how radio can help African farmers combat drought
The Guardian news website is an excellent short film “Lord of the Rain” that highlights the challenges facing farmers in the remote Omo region of Ethiopia. UPGro is tackling these challenges head-on in Ethiopia, Burkino Faso and elsewhere across Africa.
UPGro 