Category: Multiple/All
-
UPGro Science: Links between groundwater access and poverty are complex and sensitive to context [S2]
The links between groundwater access and poverty are generally indirect, complex and context specific.
-
UPGro Science: The programme has made a substantial contribution to evidence and data on African groundwater, its use and potential [S1]
As of mid July 2020, UPGro researchers have published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers directly, and used elements of UPGro work or partnerships to publish a further 60. 1 paper published in Nature and 2 in Nature Communications. Substantial interdisciplinary primary data collected from across 7 African countries and will be made available through the…
-
AMCOW Pan African Groundwater Program (APAGroP): A new pan-African initiative promises to open peer-to-peer learning between national governments and increase groundwater data sharing and research collaboration [K4]
UPGro and its partners have played a key role in raising the profile of groundwater among high-level policy-makers in Africa. The UPGro Programme, along with other African and International groundwater partners, supported the AMCOW Pan-African Groundwater Programme (APAGroP) under its remit to support and strengthen the capacity of Member States and regional and international organisations…
-
UPGro has supported 75 Early Career Researchers, of whom 42 were African and 26 were women [C13]
Early Career Researchers (<5 years experience post PhD or <10 years experience without PhD from Jan 2015) represented nearly half of the programme staff and were actively supported to present their work at conference, webinars and special workshops and training events were organised through the programme. This cohort will representing a lasting professional legacy of…
-
UPGro Science: investment in local investigations, mapping and monitoring unlocks economic potential and resilience [S5]
Good local hydrogeological understanding and monitoring over time is required to define the sustainable yield of wells and boreholes, particularly in weathered basement aquifers, and from this assess opportunities for domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial activities, and the associated risks. Many low-productivity fractured aquifers are capable of supporting handpump boreholes, with no evidence of climate…
-
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.
-
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.
-
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,…
-
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.
-
Hand-pumps for deeper groundwater key to climate resilience for rural communities
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) – new study has revealed that use of hand-pumped boreholes to access deeper groundwater is the most resilient way of adapting to droughts caused by climate change for rural communities in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa.
UPGro 