Category: UPGro Outcome
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UPGro Science: No substantial decline in the volume of water stored in the major aquifer basins over the last 15 years, but there are major localised risk areas [S6]
At the scale of the African continent, UPGro research has shown that there has been no substantial decline in the volume of water stored in the major aquifer basins over the last 15 years. However, local contexts do differ, and in some African cities, groundwater levels have fallen.
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UPGro Science: understanding of African/Tropical recharge processes has been improved. Climate change may enhance groundwater recharge in arid and semi-arid areas, presenting opportunities for long-term management as part of national climate adaptation strategies [S4]
UPGro researchers found that in wetter areas recharge happens every year, but in dryland areas substantial recharge less regularly, often just once or twice a decade.
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UPGro Science: Bacteriological contamination of groundwater is likely to be a significant barrier to achieving safely managed water services under SDG6, but this can be tackled by improved construction practices [S7]
In rural areas, around 70% of working handpumps surveyed across in Uganda, Malawi and Ethiopia provided good quality water, with only 9% affected by chemical contamination (fluoride, arsenic, nitrate). 21% were affected by bacteriological contamination
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UPGro Science: Testing of shallow groundwater in urban areas confirmed widespread contamination and health risks, and some contaminants not previously detected or tested for. New sensor methods developed [S8]
In urban areas, groundwater quality measured in Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia was found to be generally poor, particularly in shallow unconfined aquifers. Viral DNA work shows that viruses, some of which are pathogenic and carcinogenic for humans, are persistent in aquifers and present irrespective of geology, depth, population etc. Emerging contaminants, e.g. viruses,…
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UPGro Science: New methods of water point functionality developed and tested [S9]
Water point functionality surveys indicate that new methods for defining and measuring water point functionality are required to adequately monitor progress towards SDG6 for safely managed water services. There are many definitions for water point functionality, which influence whether a water point is classed as functional or not. Most national surveys are based on a…
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UPGro Science: Affordable maintenance and repair are one of the main predictors of borehole functionality, highlighting the need for effective management models to improve rural water services [S10]
The reasons for poor water point functionality are complex; there is not a simple strong relationship between good governance and the functionality of rural water points. However, affordable maintenance and repair are one of the main predictors of rural water point functionality, pointing to the need to consider different models for the management of community…
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UPGro Science: Access to groundwater is associated with improved agricultural production, reduced agricultural risk, and improved livelihoods [S11]
Access to groundwater is associated with improved agricultural production, reduced agricultural risk, and improved livelihoods.
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UPGro Science: Participatory, community-led approaches, such as Transition Management, can provide new and collaborative ways of using and managing urban groundwater [S13]
Transition Management has shown to enhance social learning, empower communities to develop solutions, and build trust between stakeholders.
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UPGro Science: Knowledge sharing approaches, such as RAINWATCH and Farmer Radio, can be used to increase resilience by communicating climate and groundwater forecasts with farmers [S12]
Farmer listening groups and radio outreach programmes have been used in Ghana and Burkina Faso to provide up-to-date information and guidance on groundwater use, water harvesting, and sustainable land management practices to farmers.
UPGro 