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Conference Abstracts
Displaying 1 - 50 of 574 results
|Presenter Name
|Presenter Surname
|Conference year
|Expanding the boundaries of the Eastern Kalahari Karoo Transboundary Aquifer (EKK-TBA) shared between Botswana and Zambia: A governance challenge
|Kevin C
|Karoo, Botswana, Zambia
|transboundary, joint management
|A changing environment focussing on drought
|Northern Cape
|Drought, community supply, groundwater behaviour, Pumping
The western part of South Africa is experiencing a prolonged drought. In many cases, the effects of drought have been noticed since 2011, putting the western part of the Northern Cape under severe stress to provide water to the communities. In the past 10 years, rainfall has also decreased, and in most cases, the catchments did not receive rain to help with the recharge of groundwater. Various lessons were learned from the change in the climate and environment. But a lot can be done to minimise the impact of these changes on the water supply to communities. This paper addresses what we are noticing in the environment that impacts the way we think groundwater behaves. The changes include the change in rainfall: patterns, lines, and type of rainfall. The collapsing of boreholes with water strikes closing when being over-pumped occurs more often in the last 3 years. Pump test recommendation changes with water level change – deployment output. A combination of the factors mentioned puts more stress on groundwater resources, and a mindset change is needed to give assurance of future supply to the communities.
|The Role of GRACE data in mapping groundwater drought in the Southern African Development Community: Updating the groundwater drought risk map
|Drought, GRACE, SADC, Groundwater storage, mapping
Pietersen, KC; Musekiwa, C; Chevallier, L
Groundwater plays an integral role in the fresh water supply for both rural and urban populations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). However, the sustainable use of groundwater is negatively impacted by persistent and recurring droughts in the region. Understanding the characteristics of drought and the risk to groundwater, will contribute towards better planning and management of water supply in the region. In this study, a novel approach is demonstrated, that uses data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to map and characterise the risk to groundwater storage from drought, across the SADC region. In addition, this study also demonstrates and evaluates the inclusion of this new feature, groundwater storage sensitivity, as an additional input into a revised Groundwater Drought Risk Mapping and Management System (GRiMMS), in-order to update the SADC groundwater drought risk map developed in 2013. Specifically, the GRACE Groundwater Drought Index is calculated and used to characterise the total length, average intensity and trend, in groundwater storage drought conditions. These three factors are then combined into a new layer, groundwater storage sensitivity, and validated through comparison with groundwater level data. The groundwater storage sensitivity, which represents the risk to groundwater drought associated with groundwater storage deviations, is then included at the modular level in the GRiMMS algorithm. The inclusion of the GRACE derived groundwater storage sensitivity further highlights regions of known hydrological drought, emphasising the impact groundwater storage plays in mitigating drought risk. In conclusion, GRACE provides a unique tool that can be used to map the impact of drought across the SADC region.
|Sustainable rehabilitation of production boreholes: Application of ph-neutral iron(III)dissolvers by closed-circuit injection
|Finland, Germany, others
|Rehabilitation, maintenance, closed-cicuit injection
Clogging of existing boreholes due to natural well ageing is the most common cause of decreasing yield worldwide, also in South Africa. Maintenance plans based on systematic monitoring are required including inspection, service and rehabilitation to lengthen production times and to slow down ageing processes. Therefore a prerequisite of economical well operation is to apply the most efficient measures to secure their production capacity at the lowest possible cost. Rehabilitations by mechanical, hydraulic or impulse methods do often not lead to acceptable yield increases. Acids of all kinds have been applied to remove iron(III) and manganese(III,IV) clogging, although pH values of < 1.0 are required before any significant dissolution takes place. This treatment does not only affect substances in adjacent geology but also well construction materials and technical equipment. Alternatives for acidization were researched and developed at the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH) in 1990's by Prof. Dr. Treskatis and Dr. Houben. Since then iron(III) and manganese(III,IV) are removed by pH-neutral reductants with 50 times greater dissolving capacity than hydrochloric acid at pH 1.0 in identical molar concentration. The closed-circuit injection technique was proved to be the only method to transfer chemical agents as far as the borehole wall in a study by Dresdner Groundwater Center on behalf of German Gas and Water Association in 2003. Low pressure circulation based on large volume flow is accomplished by means of state-of-the-art gravel washers. The application of pH-neutral dissolvers by closed-circuit injection has proved its effectiveness not only in Germany, but also in Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, UK, UAE and Peru. Our case study documents its successful introduction in Finland 2020. Until then stand-by acidization had been the only means of battling well ageing. Research funds enabled rehabilitations in different parts of the country resulting in unexpected high yield increases.
|Hydrogeological modeling of a coastal wetland: The development of a steady-state numerical groundwater flow model for Rietvlei Wetland, Cape Town
|Nathasha R
|Cape Town
|Poster, coastal wetland, wetland management, groundwater budget, numerical model, wetland hydrodynamics
The Rietvlei Wetland, located in the Western Cape of South Africa is well recognised for harbouring numerous bird species, and is ranked the 6th most important coastal wetland in the South-western Cape. Researchers perceive that the wetland could be threatened by the growing drought hazards, and increased water demand in Cape Town. The extent of the effects is however unquantified and unknown. This therefore calls for extensive research and novel approaches to understand and quantify wetland hydrodynamics, to shape wetland management frameworks. Conducting thorough field work to understand wetland processes, and the use of numerical models for future prediction of black swan events are well recommended. Thus, the study aims to develop a conceptual hydrogeological model for Rietvlei Wetland, and to develop a numerical model to quantify the wetland's groundwater budget. To achieve this, historical data was gathered, and field work which included groundwater monitoring, collection of sediment profiles and water quality analysis was undertaken. Preliminary results show that the wetland is underlain by an unconsolidated aquifer, largely overlain by different types of sand, mixed with clay and silt, and precipitation is the main source of groundwater into the wetland. A distinct relationship is seen between elevation, soil type and soil structure, such that during the peak rainy season, groundwater tends to be above the ground surface in the low-lying salt pans, dominated by clayey layers on their surfaces. These surfaces tend to crack during the dry season, facilitating preferential flow pathways at onset of rain. This information, and other historical data will be used to develop a numerical model using MODFLOW-NWT and ModelMuse. The numerical model is perceived to be the basis of groundwater modeling using open-source software for Rietvlei Wetland, and may be used for predicting the impacts of drought and increased groundwater abstraction on the wetland's hydrodynamics.
|AI_GEO software platform for regional groundwater potential mapping
|Free State
|Mapping methodologies, AI, algorithms, Drought, exploitation potential
Delineation of groundwater resources of a given area is importance for management of groundwater resources. This is often done manually by combining various geo-scientific datasets in Geographic Information System (GIS) environment, which is time consuming and is prone to subjective bias and also suffers from other human induced uncertainties and difficult to cope with increasing volumes of data. The explosive growth of data leading to 'rich data, but poor knowledge' dilemma yet we have challenges to be solved. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been successfully used in fields such as robotics, process automation in engineering, industry, medical and domestic households. Artificial Intelligence tool have the able to bridge this gap by augmenting the human capabilities in understand science far better than before. Incorporating AI into groundwater potential mapping greatly improves computation speed, reduces the subjectivity nature of manual mapping and lessens human induced uncertainties. The software platform includes artificial intelligence algorithms such as artificial neural networks, support vector machines, random forest, index-overlay and fuzzy logic.
The software platform is semi-automatic to allow the user to control some of the processes yet automating the other processes. The possible inputs to the AI for training includes; aquifer types, topographic slope, lineament and drainage density, land-use / land-cover (LULC), distance to lineaments, distance to streams and soil clay content. Yield values of selected boreholes are used as training outputs.
The software was tested using data gathered for the area surrounding Maluti-a-Phong in the Free State Province of South Africa. The area was chosen because of recent drought which has hit the country and local municipalities are searching for groundwater resources for building wellfields to supply local communities with fresh water. The groundwater potential map of the area was validated using borehole yield values of boreholes which were not used for modelling. Good correlation values as high as 0.85 was obtained between model values and borehole yield. The final groundwater potential map was divided into four zones; very good, good, poor and very poor. Based on this study, it is concluded that the high groundwater potential zones can be target areas for further hydrogeological studies.
The usage of the software proved to be efficient in minimising the time, labour and money needed to map large areas. The results of which can be used by local authorities and water policy makers as a preliminary reference to narrowed down zones to which local scale groundwater exploration can be done. AI should be viewed as augmented intelligence as it aid the decision-making process rather than replacing it. Data-driven approaches should also be knowledge-guided for efficient results.
|The Application of Machine Learning for Groundwater Level Prediction in the Steenkoppies Compartment of the Gauteng and North West Dolomite Aquifer, South Africa
|Gauteng, North West
|Steenkoppies Compartment, agriculture, NNAR, groundwater level, predictions
Groundwater in the Steenkoppies compartment of the Gauteng and North West dolomite aquifer is extensively used for agricultural practices that can potentially lead to groundwater storage depletion, threatening groundwater sustainability in the compartment. Groundwater levels represent the response of an aquifer to changes in storage, recharge, discharge, and hydrological stresses. Therefore, groundwater levels are useful for identifying limits and unacceptable impacts on an aquifer and using this information to implement sustainable groundwater management decisions. The use of machine learning techniques for groundwater modelling is relatively novel in South Africa. Conventionally, numerical techniques are used for groundwater modelling. Unlike traditional numerical models, machine learning models are data-driven and learn the behaviour of the aquifer system from measured values without needing an understanding of the internal structure and physical processes of an aquifer. In this study, Neural Network Autoregression (NNAR) was applied to obtain groundwater level predictions in the Steenkoppies compartment of the Gauteng and North West Dolomite Aquifer in South Africa. Multiple variables (rainfall, temperature, groundwater usage and spring discharge) were chosen as input parameters to facilitate groundwater level predictions. The importance of each of these inputs to aid the prediction of groundwater levels was assessed using the mutual information index (MI). The NNAR model was further used to predict groundwater levels under scenarios of change (increase or decrease in recharge and abstraction). The results showed that the NNAR could predict groundwater levels in 18 boreholes across the Steenkoppies aquifer and make predictions for scenarios of change. Overall, the NNAR performed well in predicting and simulating groundwater levels in the Steenkoppies aquifer. The transferability of the NNAR to model groundwater levels in different aquifer systems or groundwater levels at different temporal resolutions requires further investigation to confirm the robustness of the NNAR to predict groundwater levels.
|Geophysical Borehole Siting at Elizabeth Conradie School in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
|Kimberley, Northern Cape
|geophysical methods, mapping , Drilling
The Council for Geoscience has a corporate responsibility in rural development projects as part of the South African government initiative in food and water security. Geophysical surveys were carried out at Elizabeth Conradie School in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province South Africa aimed on siting production boreholes to supply the school with water. Traditional geophysical techniques including magnetic, electromagnetic and resistivity were used to locate groundwater bearing structures. The magnetic method was used to locate intrusive magnetic bodies (i.e. Dolerites), while electromagnetic and resistivity were used to map conductivity and resistivity distribution associated with the subsurface geology.
The magnetic method delineated possible groundwater bearing structures which may be related to dolerite dykes and sills. The electromagnetic method appears to have identified shallow fresh dolerite sill. The resistivity method was good in identifying areas of low resistivity which might be related to fractures and/or faults. The high resistivity values might be related to dolerite dykes or sill.
The results of the study showed that geophysical methods are useful non-intrusive tools for mapping groundwater resource. The 1:250 000 scale geological reconnaissance map used to constrain the geophysical interpretation is at a bigger scale when compared to the geophysical interpretation resolution. Considering this and also the ambiguity and none uniqueness in geophysical interpretation, results need to be consolidated by a local scale hydrogeological mapping and drilling results.
|Diamonds on the soles of their feet: groundwater monitoring in the Hout Catchment, Limpopo
|Citizen Science, framework, participatory methods, Rainfall, Groundwater Sampling, Data collection
We present findings from a current project in the Hout Catchment, Limpopo Province in South Africa, In grounding the discussion, we propose a citizen science framework that builds on ideas of the living lab, trust and research integrity. The idea of research integrity is not only about ethics but also about methods and we propose participatory methods that are inclusive, just and fair. We achieve trust and practices of research integrity, applying participatory action research methods which not only address the hydrological void in data by identifying water features in the catchment but also have intrinsic value, enhancing well being and brokering trust. The frame presents the idea of water literacy – where the material aspects of CS (dip-meters, rain gauges etc.) intersect with the more intangible goods that have to do with human well-being. In our application we redress the bias where the focus lies more on the natural science aspect rather than the humanities with its attention to human well-being and the recognition of difference and diversity. Considering CS within the frame of feminist philosophy, it is personally transformative with the element of 'surprise' that the end point is undetermined – and it focusses on diversity and difference across segments and within segments in the catchment. Participatory parity has intrinsic value (equity and a more just social context) but also extrinsic value (better data and plotting of map features for remote rural areas otherwise difficult to access). CS is a powerful emancipatory tool that is able to generate virtuous cycles of inclusion and equality. We propose a CS frame that captures the ideas of trust, the living lab, SDGs and the emancipatory notion of citizen science, narrowing the divide between the natural and social sciences and acknowledging research integrity and the opportunity for what we call 'authentic' learning.
Also Refer Article published in the BWJVol131 https://bwa.co.za/the-borehole-water-journal/2021/12/28/south-african-groundwater-project-shows-the-power-of-citizen-science
|Intraplate tectonic setting of the southwestern Cape, South Africa: Analysis of the TrigNet geodetic record
|Cape Town
|TMG, augmentation, wellfields, mega-fault structures, TrigNet, seismo-geodetic monitoring
In response to the serious 2015-2018 "Day Zero" drought, the City of Cape Town implemented large-scale augmentation of the Western Cape Water Supply System from deep groundwater resources within the Table Mountain Group (TMG) fractured aquifers. Several planned TMG wellfields target the Steenbras-Brandvlei Mega-fault Zone (SBMZ), the northern segment of which hosts the Brandvlei hot spring (BHS) – the hottest (~70°C) and strongest (~4 million m3/yr) in the Western Cape. Considering its possible "neohydrotectonic" origin, the BHS may mark the site of a major palaeo-earthquake, suggesting that SBMZ structures are prone to failure in the current crustal stress regime. Despite the "stable" intraplate tectonic setting, the SW Cape has experienced historic large (magnitude >6) earthquakes. Therefore, a better hydrogeological and seismotectonic understanding of the regional "mega-fault" structures is needed.
The South African TrigNet array of continuously recording Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) stations can be used to measure surface deformation related to confined aquifer depressurisation and vertical compression during groundwater abstraction. Time-series data from 12 TrigNet stations were used to establish a monitoring baseline for the SW Cape. Observed vertical motions range from slow subsidence to variable slow uplift with superimposed cyclical uplift/depression patterns of seasonal and multi-year variability. Baseline deformation/strain rates were calculated using 27 station pair lengths, ranging between compressive (-0.47 nanostrains/yr) and extensive limits (+0.58 ns/yr), indicating a rigid intraplate setting.
Anomalous high strain rates (> 10 ns/yr), associated with three stations, are probably due to station mount/foundation issues, rather than neo-seismic activity. Regional results show that seismo-geodetic monitoring is an important tool for understanding fractured aquifer compressibility and hydroseismicity, the latter of which may potentially be induced by large-scale TMG groundwater abstraction and/or natural earthquakes in the Western Cape. A local seismo-geodetic monitoring system is therefore being established at Steenbras Wellfield for further observations and analysis.
|Suitability of drilling techniques for geological interpretation and borehole design within the Cape Flats Aquifer, Western Cape.
|Sasha Dean
|Western Cape
|Bulk water supply, MAR, Drilling, facies analysis
|Development and testing of a hydrogeological multilevel sampling device and analysis of water chemistry through hydrochemical parameters
|Western Cape
|Poster, Groundwater Sampling, Hydrochemistry
|Transport and attenuation of microplastics in saturated sands
Globally, cumulative plastic production since 1950 is estimated to have reached 2500 Mt of plastic. It is estimated up 60% of this plastic is either resting in landfills or the natural environment, including groundwater settings. Microplastics are small pieces of plastic ranging between 1μm – 5mm in size and have been found in every ecosystem and environment on the planet. Much of the available literature on microplastics is focused on marine environments with few in comparison focused on freshwater environments, and even fewer on groundwater settings.
The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the attenuation process responsible for influencing microplastic transport in saturated sands. This research will adapt colloid transport theory and experiments to better understand the movement of microplastics through sandy media. Saturated aquifer conditions will be set up and simulated using modified Darcy column experiments adapted from Freeze & Cherry (1979). Modified microplastics will be injected into the columns as tracers and the effluent concentrations measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Breakthrough curves will then be plotted using the effluent concentrations to determine the attachment efficiency (α). It is expected the attachment efficiency will vary by microplastic type and size range. The Ionic strength of the solution flowing through the column and the surface charges of both microplastics and sandy surfaces are likely to influence the degree of attenuation observed. The relationship between different types of microplastics and collector surfaces from a charge perspective and their influence on the degree of attenuation will be evaluated.
Given the lack of literature, its ubiquitous presence and postulated effects on human health, this research is significant. Through this research, the transport and attenuation of microplastics through sandy aquifers can be better understood, and in the process inform future research and water resource management.
|Assuring supply during a changing environment focussing on drought
|Drought, community supply, operating rules
Fourie, F
Communities reacted differently to the drought. In some cases, you would notice a proactive approach and good management of the wellfields. In other cases, communities have been under a misconception that they received good rainfall for a recharge which did not reflect in monitoring data, and lastly, you get the communities that are mismanaging the groundwater. Various lessons were learned from the change in the climate and environment. But a lot can be done to minimise the impact of these changes on the water supply to communities. This paper addresses the changes that we can apply to deal with the changing environment around us to provide a sustainable water supply. The changes can include relooking at operating rules to ensure better management on the aquifer and borehole level. Recharge determined during pump test must be considered periods low to no recharge. Methods to enhance the recharge to the aquifer will ensure recharge occur during low rainfall events By implementing these rules, groundwater can be sustainably managed for future use.
|Hydrocarbon groundwater analyses: a Karoo case study
|Hydrocarbon, Water level, contamination, Artisan borehole, Methane concentration, Natural gas, Dolrites, quality, Fracturing
The South African government is considering shale gas extraction in the Karoo basin, South Africa. To protect groundwater resources, there is an urgent need to do a groundwater baseline in possible gas extraction areas. Various groundwater samples have therefore been taken at a borehole and 2 soekor wells in the Northern Cape, from 2016 to 2021. The groundwater samples were analysed for dissolved gasses, specifically focussing on methane. As laboratories became more efficient ethane was also included in later analyses. From the analyses we found that drought might influence the dissolved gas concentrations in the groundwater via pressure influences on the groundwater flow and the dissolved gas flow towards the shallow aquifers. Artesian conditions at this site are helping with the flow of dissolved gasses from deep to shallow aquifers via preferential pathways. The possibility of shallow-deep groundwater interconnections and the migration of deep methane to shallow aquifers make it important to establish a groundwater baseline in the Karoo. By focusing on boreholes and wells that are emitting methane, a better understanding of groundwater flow and interaction with geological layers can be determined. If other gasses like propane and butane can be analysed in addition to methane, more information can be gathered to determine the origins of the methane and whether it is thermogenic or biogenic.
|Hydrogeological Characterization of a Methyl-Tertiary-Butyl-Ether (MTBE) Plume
|Saudi Arabia
|contamination, MTBE, TOC, remediation
The proximity of aquifer systems to sources of contamination exposes them to severe environmental threats. Pollutants that leak from petrol stations, industrial areas and landfills eventually seep through the vadose zone to reach shallow groundwater, leading to groundwater contamination. One of these pollutants is Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), which is a polar organic compound that is volatile at room temperature. As a result of its high solubility compared to other gasoline additives, MTBE can cause serious environmental issues. The aims of this study were to characterize the extent of MTBE in groundwater and characterize natural attenuation in a Saudi Arabian MTBE and methanol manufacturing company.
The aims were achieved by analyzing monthly MTBE concentrations (to observe the seasonal changes of MTBE) and annual MTBE concentrations (to observe long-term changes) in 5 out of 18. Groundwater samples were collected, and in each year the MTBE, Total organic carbon (TOC) and Electrical conductivity (EC) concentrations were recorded. Because of inconsistency in the data, the results for the monthly data were from 2007 to 2010, and from 2007 to 2012 for the annual data. The results indicated a positive relationship between MTBE and TOC, and as a result TOC can be used to monitor and indicate the presence of MTBE. There was plume growth in 2 of the 5 wells (well 4 and well 14) with well 4 recording the highest MTBE concentration in all years. The reason for the high concentration might be because of spillages during truck loading. The other 3 wells showed signs of natural attenuation. Results from seasonal data suggested that temperature influences MTBE concentrations and therefore the rate of natural attenuation. There are many methods to remediate MTBE and each of them is site specific, but bioremediation was recommended for this site due to its cost-effectiveness.
|Using geophysics to detect water-hosting fractures in the Vredefort Dome: A training opportunity
|Poster, Geophysics
The Vredefort Dome 120 km southwest of Johannesburg is a meteorite impact crater that formed at approximately 2 Ga. The region hosts farmland, and the town of Parys is situated in the northwestern part of the dome. The dome is the location of the annual Wits University/AfricaArray Geophysical Field School. The aim of the field school is to teach geoscience students several geophysical techniques while conducting scientific research in the area.
A geophysical survey during the 2019 field school over an open field just outside of Parys revealed a buried fracture that hosts ground water. A 150 m long magnetic profile over the fractures shows a magnetic low (approximately 500 nT) that correlates with a low resistivity region on the inverted electrical resistivity data (dipole-dipole method). Euler deconvolution depth estimates and magnetic modelling estimate an overburden thickness of around 10 m and a similar fracture thickness. The magnetic low of the fracture is due to weathering and removal of any magnetic material in the granites in the region.
Two existing boreholes that lie 618m due south and at a 10 m lower elevation have water levels of around 6.4 m. Both boreholes lie near a riverbed and vegetation, and appear to lie along an extension to the fracture. This fractures detected using geophysical methods seems to form part of a larger fracture system within the Vredefort Dome, that is linked to the formation of the dome. These fractures provide a vital source of water for the local farming community.
|Exploring Danish experiences for Groundwater mapping in South Africa
|Anker Lajer
|South Africa, Denmark
|mapping , fractured geology, SAGMAA, guidelines
Water supply relies entirely on groundwater in Denmark. A national groundwater mapping programme was established in 2000 to protect this valuable resource. It builds on a thorough and holistic understanding of the hydrogeological settings, obtained through an extensive data collection, culminating with an identification of threats and aquifer vulnerablility. As part of the programme, new approaches, methods, and instruments have been developed, such as airborne geophysical survey by Sky-TEM that allows the mapping of large areas in a fine resolution. Another key element in the mapping is the development of three-dimensional hydrogeological and numerical models. These are used to understand the groundwater flow paths and delineate wellhead capture zones as well as infiltration areas, which, depending on the assessed vulnerability, may be subject to protective measures.
The Danish mapping approach have been tested at selected South African sites through the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) between Denmark and South Africa. The approach was applied in a study supporting Umgeni Water to identify groundwater resources to supply numerous villages near the town of Ladysmith. The study illustrated a high potential for adapting relevant parts of the Danish approach to South Africa, but also revealed some challenges, e.g. related to the fractured geology, where groundwater recharge can be concentrated along dykes, a process very different from what is generally observed in Denmark.
The SSC has initialised the project "South African Groundwater Mapping and Assessment Approach (SAGMAA)" to share knowledge gain through the national groundwater mapping programme in Denmark with South Africa and explore the possibility of adapting elements from the Danish approach to South African conditions in a broader context. The objective of the project is to provide recommendations to South African guidelines, and the paper will present results from the comparison of approaches in the two countries and preliminary recommendations to guidelines.
|Integrated approach to understanding the causes of ground subsidence in the Lyttelton Formation, Jan Smuts House: A potential case study to the greater Centurion area.
|Centurion, Gauteng
|Poster, Sinkholes
The Smuts House in Centurion is under threat of subsidence due to sinkholes. These sinkholes are linked to the Malmani Dolomite Formation, a Proterozoic carbonate sequence within the Chuniespoort Group of the Transvaal Supergroup, and is subject to sinkhole development (Clay, 1981). In addition to Smuts House, the areas are populated by thousands of people meaning risk of financial damage and, in some cases, loss of property and lives (Trollip, 2006).
The Jan Smuts House Museum is located in a natural park of indigenous trees and shrubs. The area is generally flat-lying; however, various ridges bisect the site in a north-south trend. A koppie (Cornwall Hill) is situated in the north. Outcrops of dolomite and chert characterise most of the study area. The two major streams in the area are that of the Sesmylspruit and Olifantspruit.
This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between subsidence of the Smuts House Museum, subsurface features (geological and anthropogenic) and the local geology. Magnetic and resistivity, active seismic and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) geophysical data were collected, along with x-ray fluorescence (XRF) geochemical data and hydrogeological data.
|Update of regional groundwater flow models for the Vaal Gamagara SD1 and SD2 wellfields
|Northern Cape
|Demand, exploitation potential, Simulations, CRD, Production rates, Prediction scenario, adaptive management
The increasing water demand for the Northern Cape Province resulted in the detailed assessment of the exploitation potential of three groundwater development target areas namely SD1, SD2 and SD4, largely underlain by karst aquifers. Since 2014 the implementation of the wellfields was delayed pending authorisation. The potential impact on the groundwater resources was raised by several stakeholders as part of the process, resulting in the re-assessment of the SD1 and SD2 wellfields. The model update considered crucial data retrieved from several groundwater level loggers from April 2014 to December 2019. As a precursor to the model update the Cumulative Rainfall Departure (CRD) curves for the relevant rainfall stations for the study areas was updated. While for most sites a good relationship between rainfall and groundwater fluctuations was observed. A poor response of groundwater levels in comparison to the observed CRD curve suggests abstractions more than the recharge of the aquifer. Metered groundwater use is for most parts not available but was estimated based on the hydrocensus data. Once the models demonstrated to reproduce past behaviour, they were used to forecast the future behaviour. More importantly was to assess whether the 2014 proposed abstraction rates still held true after the re-calibration of the model. Several simulations were carried out iteratively to identify the optimal pumping rates and the temporal variability of the withdrawal period considering the impact on the groundwater resource. Based on the results the 2014 proposed production rates were reduced from 751,608 m3/month to 597,432 m3/month representing a 2019 mitigated (optimised) proposed abstraction scenario. The case study is an excellent example of adaptive groundwater management informed by crucial datasets and scenario modelling.
|Assessment of the state of potable water supply system in selected communities ofVhemb District Municipality, Souh Africa
|South Africa
|community supply, local municipality, main source, Groundwater Quality, distance to source, reliability
Water is regarded as a source of life and access to potable water supply delivery remains the building block to improving and maintaining the community member's health and productive life. The demand for water supply has been increasing due to population growth and climate change phenomena. Hence, there is need to assess the current state of potable water supply system in selected rural areas of Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), South Africa. About 14 villages in VDM were visited to assess the state of water supply. Interview were held with three municipal officials who deals with water supply systems and 14 focus group discussions were held in each village with the communities and their leaders. 448 head of households, 14 councillors completed the questionnaires on potable water supply situation in their area. The results indicated that the main sources of water supply are boreholes followed by tap water from dams. In areas where the two sources are not available, the rivers, fountain and the water tankers were also the main sources. In terms of water usage, the boreholes recorded the highest responses of 45% from households, followed by the tap water from dams at 35%, 4% from rivers, 5% from fountain and 10% from water tankers. In addition, about 53.6% of participants collect water once a week from the main source (boreholes and tap water from dams). Rural communities of Vhembe District Municipality were not satisfied with the quantity, distance and reliability of boreholes. Therefore, this article recommended that the municipality, communities, councillors and traditional leaders should work together in addressing the pressing water issues. Part of which include provision of more sources of water to complement growing population. In addition, village water committees need to be established to assist in water provision management.
|Identifying suitable sites for Managed Aquifer Recharge within the Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, situated in the West Coast of South Africa
|West Coast, Western Cape
The West Coast in the Western Cape of South Africa is a water-scarce area. With pressure from population and industrial growth, recurring droughts and climate change, there is increasing urgency in the West Coast to protect groundwater resources. Saldanha Bay is dependent on groundwater as part of its bulk water supply system. Where the natural groundwater recharge is no longer sufficient to meet the growing groundwater needs, practices such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) can be used to ensure the sustainability of these groundwater resources.
This study aims to identify areas within the Saldanha Bay Local Municipality suitable for Managed Aquifer Recharge to maximize the water available during periods of limited surface water supply. As such, the MAR study site identification requires a comprehensive geohydrological assessment of the Saldanha Bay aquifer. This includes an understanding of the quality and quantity of the source water available for recharge, the aquifer structure and hydraulic properties, the space available to store water, and the compatibility of the recharged water with the groundwater.
MAR research methods included Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) airborne geophysical surveys, infiltration tests, pumping tests and hydrochemical analysis. TDEM surveys provided clarity on the various aquifer geological properties. Infiltration and pumping tests shed light on the horizontal and vertical hydraulic properties of the aquifer. PhreeqC modelling outputs helped predict the outcome of the mixing between groundwater and potential MAR water resources.
Geological features were delineated through TDEM surveys and inferred five suitable MAR sites where clay layers were missing. Infiltration and pumping tests showed that Langebaan Road is better suited to borehole injection, whereas Hopefield has the benefit of infiltration MAR techniques as an additional option. PhreeqC outputs exhibit that both pipeline and Berg River water show promising results as potential source water resources for MAR as compared to other resources.
|Prefeasibility Study for Managed Aquifer Recharge within the Greater Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
|Limpopo, KNP
|MAR, Doleritic Dyke Swarms, Prefeasability Study
West of the world-renowned conservation site, Kruger National Park, lies the larger extent of the Greater Kruger National Park within the Limpopo province. Boreholes have been drilled here in the last few decades to century for the provision of water supply to game lodges, large resorts, watering holes for game viewing and also historically for agriculture and livestock. The area contains both primary and secondary aquifers classified as having yields between 0.5 and 5.0 l/s, based on the geological setting which consist of gneiss intruded by dolerite dyke swarms. A geohydrological assessment of the area revealed that groundwater quality within the project area is characterised as having an EC of 100 - 450 mS/m, which seems to link to borehole proximity to surface water systems. The Makhutswi Gneiss and Doleritic Dyke swarms are the major controlling geology of the area, with higher yielding boreholes located in close proximity to dykes and major structural lineaments (faulted / weathered zones) of the Gneiss. A major concern identified through geohydrological assessment and hydrocensus observations is that boreholes frequently dry up after a few years and require either deeper drilling / redrilling or drilling a new borehole and that the very aggressive calcium hardness in the water frequently damages equipment and leads to overall higher maintenance costs. This project investigates the feasibility of increasing recharge to the aquifer with seasonal flooding / rainfall events by constructing artificially enhanced recharge locations overlaying several doleritic dykes. This is expected to decrease the salinity and hardness of the groundwater, which will reduce operational costs. Water security will also be increased through enhanced long-term sustainability of the groundwater by balancing some of the current annual abstraction.
|The presence and concentration of antiretroviral drugs in different water bodies around the Western Cape
|Western Cape
|Antiretroviral, chemical formulas
This study is based on the presence and concentration of antiretroviral drugs in water bodies around the Western Cape Province in South Africa, these areas include wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants, stormwater, and landfill boreholes. South Africa has the highest rate of HIV and AIDS in the entire world, statistics from 2018 show that 7.7 million South Africans are infected with HIV/AIDS and 68% of them are on antiretroviral treatment (UNAIDS). South Africa has the largest antiretroviral treatment program (ART) in the world, due to the lack of proper water and sanitation these drugs are deposited in the environment poorly and reach water bodies, therefore, contaminating them. This study involves the collection of samples from areas such as Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha, Athlone, Cape Flats, and Atlantis around the western cape, these samples are analyzed to determine the presence of 5 antiretroviral drugs used in South Africa which are Efavirens, Lopinavir, Nevirapine, Ritonavir, and Tenofovir. Water samples are prepared for analysis by filtering 2.5ml water through a 1µm glass fiber filter, the sample is then placed into sample vials and analyzed on HPLC-QTOF/MS. Mass Hunter software is used to identify the specific ARVs in the water samples analyzed, by searching for the compounds via their chemical formulas. With a match made if their chemical formula, retention time and mass to charge ratio of the compounds correspond. Concentrations range between 0.0855ng/ml Nevapine to 4.3289ng/ml Lopinavir, this analysis has determined that all the mentioned antiretroviral drugs are indeed present in different water bodies around the identified areas within the Western Cape in varying concentrations.
|eSymon - An Innovative Solution to Monitoring Data Management
|South Africa various
|eSymon, Monitoring, data management, data visualization, data security
The year 2020 will forever be synonymous with the Covid-19 pandemic and the immeasurable impact it has had on all our lives. During this time, there was one avenue that reigned supreme: technology. Whether it was Zoom calls or Netflix, online consultations or video conferencing at work, technology took charge. In light of this, GCS (Pty) Ltd started exploring ways that technology could assist with the most common problem identified in the Water and Environmental sectors, which is the management of large volumes of geodata. Thus, the invention of eSymon.
Monitoring of the environment usually generates a significant amount of data. If this data is not systematically stored, problems often arise with:
• Limited access to historical data due to poor storage;
• Different formats of stored data (if they are kept in digital form at all);
• Continuity and integrity of the data; and
• Security of the data.
Therefore, years of historical data cannot be used or trusted. The solution was to develop eSymon, which is an acronym for Electronic Data Management System for Monitoring. eSymon is primarily designed to:
• Systematically import, store, view and manipulate large volumes of monitoring data;
• Provide remote and instantaneous access to site-specific information;
• Allow data visualization using an interactive GIS interface; and
• Create various outputs such as time series graphs, geochemical diagrams and contour maps.
The main idea of the software is to have all historical data for a site on one platform and have it be accessible and functional at the touch of a button. This results in several key benefits, including saving time, providing accurate and up to date information, not having to wait for technical reports to assess trends and compliance, providing several means of data visualization and, most importantly, ensuring data security.
|Aquifer structure and extent based on Airborne Geophysical investigation: A case study based in Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, West Coast.
|Saldanah Bay
|Poster, Skytem, 3D mapping survey, MAR, interpretation, aquifer management
Saldanha Bay Local Municipality appointed Skytem to conduct an airborne geophysical 3D aquifer mapping survey. As part of improving the sustainable management of the groundwater resources and exploring the options of Managed Aquifer Recharge, a better understanding of the aquifers is required. The Skytem technology unlocked a rich understanding of the subsurface geology and the groundwater contained in it.
Before the main survey commenced, a trial survey was conducted to investigate the quality of the data that may be expected from the main survey. The trial survey was conducted over the existing water supply wellfield where there were existing groundwater data including borehole lithology from drilling and ground geophysics. Consequently, the main survey commenced and consisted of the following:
The survey interpretation showed the following important aquifer characteristics that will be useful for future management of the aquifer system:
The survey output and interpretations are regarded as very useful for the update of the conceptual models for the area. Data can now be used to update the numerical models and improve the management of the wellfields.
|Groundwater monitoring of South Africa through numerical model
|Monitoring, numerical modelling, GRACE, SG measurements, MODFLOW, SAGOS
Monitoring groundwater storage is conducted in the study. World Health Organisation estimates, about 55 million people affected by drought yearly. However, Surface water holds 0.3 percent of the freshwater, and groundwater holds 30.1 percent of the freshwater. Hence, monitoring groundwater storage is vital. Though the GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) satellite provides global-scale groundwater data, but does not provide any information about changes in groundwater flow systems and has uncertainties, due to large noise produced. A correlation has to be established between gravity changes and groundwater storage variations through a program that simulates the flow of groundwater. The relationship between developed numerical models and data derived from superconducting gravity is imperative. This study is conducted in South African Geodynamic Observatory Sutherland (SAGOS) area at Sutherland, South Africa. The study aims to develop a numerical geohydrological model to monitor subsurface variations in water distribution through superconducting gravimeters (SG) records. The interpretation of the SG measurements to directly compare to one another at a higher resolution is considered in the study, through the correlation of the developed model and installed superconducting gravimetric residual data. A numerical groundwater flow model is developed using model muse on MODFLOW. Assigned boundary conditions, fractured rocks were activated by the model. Hydraulic conductivities were simulated for any layer, including storage coefficient. Hence, hydraulic conductivity is an important aspect of the study. In conclusion, gravity is an excellent tool for measuring groundwater recharge within the immediate vicinity of the SAGOS. This implies that gravity can aid in monitoring groundwater recharge and discharge in semi-arid areas. The application of the hydrological model at various scales comparing the Superconducting Gravimeter and GRACE satellite data is paramount to improve modelling groundwater dynamics. The consideration of developing numerical hydrological to monitor groundwater storage will add much value to missing information.
|Stable Isotope Techniques for the Evaluation of Water Sources for Domestic Supply in Stellenbosch, South Africa
|Van Rooyen
|Poster, stable water isotopes, Monitoring, Monitoring, urban water supply
During 2017-2018, the City of Cape Town, South Africa faced an unprecedented drought crisis with the six main water storages supplying Cape Town falling to a combined capacity of just under 20%. With the threat of severe water shortages looming, various additional water sources were examined to supplement the municipal water supply network. These were focussed on groundwater, desalination and treated effluent. However, private citizens and businesses also made plans to avoid shortages, resulting in numerous uncontrolled water sources competing with the municipal supply network. Throughout the crisis, groundwater was considered the most important alternative urban water supply source but also the most vulnerable to contamination through accidental and uncontrolled return flows from the municipal network, private residences and agricultural industries. This project aims to constrain the water supply network in the Stellenbosch municipality and monitor the augmentation of groundwater into the network using stable isotopes. Long term monitoring points have been established at 35 tap water sites, 20 private wells as well as at the supply reservoirs that feed the municipal network. Preliminary data show's distinct isotopic signals associated with each supply reservoir as well as in the local groundwater. The data also shows significant return flow into the alluvial aquifer system during warmer months when private stakeholder's water consumption is at its highest. Groundwater is expected to supplement this urban supply network in the latter part of 2021 and will likely disrupt the current distribution of stable isotopes in the network, providing further insight into the potential return flow into the local groundwater system.
|Groundwater Kids Program
|Awareness, Schools, Science Education
Groundwater resources are under increased pressure from population growth, climate change and human activities, leading to widespread groundwater depletion and pollution. It is important, as groundwater professionals to communicate to the younger generation and the broader community, about this vital resource. The Groundwater Kids Educational Program was initiated in November 2020, to educate and share groundwater knowledge amongst primary and high school learners. The program consists of a series of 1 – 2 hour groundwater educational workshops held at schools throughout Gauteng Province. Each workshop comprises a short educational video clip on a selected groundwater topic, followed by an activity that involves the topic of the day, and distribution of groundwater awareness material. Lessons are prepared based on the age group and the level of comprehension of the learners. Learners get the opportunity to engage in activities designed to make learning about groundwater more exciting. These workshops provide a knowledge base for our children participate in efforts to save this resource in generations to come.
|Managed aquifer recharge in South Africa (MARSA)
|South Africa, Denmark
|Pollutants, Reclaimed water, Anaerobic aquifer, Anaerobic degradation, Nitrate, Nitrospine, Nitrification, Compost, Contaminant, Infiltration, Pathogens
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), the purposeful recharge of water to aquifers for subsequent recovery, is used globally to replenish over-exploited groundwater resources and to prevent saltwater intrusion. Due to increased water shortage worldwide, there is a growing interest in using unconventional water resources for MAR such as reclaimed water or surface water impaired by wastewater discharges. This, however, raises major concerns related to pollution of our drinking water resources. MARSA is a new Danish-South African research project aiming at developing MAR technologies allowing a broader span of water resources to be used for MAR, including storm water, river water, saline water, and even treated wastewater. It is hypothesised that improved removal of organic pollutants, nitrogen species, antibiotic resistance, and pathogens can be achieved by establishment of reactive barriers or creation of different redox environments through injection of oxidizing agents to anaerobic aquifers during recharge. In MARSA we will carry out feasibility studies, as flow-through columns, first in Denmark and later in South Africa, to investigate the capacity of South African aquifer sediments to remove organic pollutants, nitrogen species, antibiotic resistance genes, and pathogens. Then, based on these studies, MAR options will be further investigated at field conditions in South Africa using real source water from MAR sites. For this presentation we will give an overview of the MARSA-project and show results from previous feasibility studies investigating the potential of reactive barriers to remove organic micropollutants and ammonium. These studies have shown that establishment of reactive barriers will cause oxygen depletion, but also more efficient ammonium and organic micro-pollutant removal. MARSA is funded by the DANIDA fellowship centre, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Project no. 20-M03GEUS.
|Practical Solutions for Academic Based Applications – Understanding the importance of correct aquifer test data interpretations
|Van Rooyen
|Gw-Sw interaction, test-pumping, FC, Monitoring
It has become increasingly apparent that understanding fractured rock mechanics as well as the interactions and exchanges between groundwater and surface water systems are crucial considering the increase in demand of each in recent years. Especially in a time where long term sustainability is of great importance for many water management agencies, groundwater professionals and the average water users. Previous callow experience has shown that there is a misunderstanding in the correct interpretation and analyses of pumping test data. The fracture characterisation (FC) method software provides a most useful tool in the overall understanding of a fractured rock aquifer, quantification of the aquifer's hydraulic (flow regime and flow boundary conditions) and physical properties, only if the time-drawdown relationships are correctly interpreted and when the theoretical application principles are applied. Interpretation is not simply a copy and paste of the aquifer test data into the software to get a quick answer (especially when project time constraints are considered), however, recent experiences with numerous field examples, required intricate understanding of the geological environment, intended use and abstraction schedules coupled with the academic applications on which the software was based for correct interpretation.
Through the application of correct interpretation principles, a plethora of flow information becomes available, of which examples will be provided in the presentation itself. By achieving this, flow can be conceptualised for inputs into a conservative scale three-dimensional numerical flow model and calibrated based on measurable data in a fraction of the time of a conventional regional model. Although higher confidence levels are achieved with these practical solutions, monitoring programmes are still required to provide better insight of the aquifer responses to long-term abstraction and recovery.
|Geochemical investigations to improve the prediction of mine water impacts: A case study in the Elandsfontein Aquifer System, West Coast.
|West Coast
|Phosphate mine, waste sreams, mine water impacts, PHREEQC, geochemical
The impact of the future closure of the KROPZ phosphate mine in the West Coast on the various potential receptors including the underlying Elandsfontein Aquifer System (EAS), Langebaan Lagoon (RAMSAR-site) and wetlands were assessed. This abstract/paper describes the geochemical characterization and management options related to the waste streams from the mining activity, to assess the post closure contribution to groundwater flow from the mine towards potential receptors. The PHREEQC geochemical modelling code was used to predict potential mine water impacts. The input water quality parameters used in the model included: background groundwater quality, pit water and processed water generated from phosphate separation process at the mine. Various scenarios were simulated combining the different process water streams with the tailings and soft stockpile material at the mine. The geochemical predictions showed some management options that should be prevented, while also providing guidance to promising options where most of the chemical parameters does not exceed the WUL stage 1 thresholds. There is however, an increase in sulphate concentrations that need attending to before the mine goes into production phase. Currently there seems to be no immediate concern on the Lagoon relating to the prediction of mine water impacts post mine closure. Some of the management scenarios do however show low levels of potential impacts on SANParks property 100 years post closure. These predictions do however correlate to areas where limited calibration data is available. At the time of this abstract the sites for new boreholes have been selected and the initial boreholes are being drilled to confirm aquifer properties in areas with limited data.
|Observation and monitoring of field parameters for springs and rivers of a Swiss alpine valley in relation to seasonality.
|Switzerland, France
|Monitoring, data management, data science libraries, Water security, Groundwater Sampling, training, municipal water supply
The study area is located in a Swiss alpine valley at the border between Switzerland and France and is situated in Valais. It is delimited by the hydrologic catchment of the river "La Vièze de Morgins". The catchment area is situated in the Municipality of Troistorrents and of Monthey. Its population is approximately 4500 inhabitants. From the geological point of view, the valley "Val de Morgins" is mostly comprised of sedimentary rocks, amongst others breccia, schist, flysch, limestone, and quaternary sediments. The valley is affected by several natural hazards, such as landslides, rockfalls, and avalanches. Hydrogeologically, the valley contains few main springs that are outlets of porous and fissured aquifers. For this study, an inventory and monitoring of springs and rivers has been carried out since 2018 until April 2021. Particularly, more than 110 springs and rivers have been registered and observed during this time. The data includes GPS coordinates, photos, measurements of physical-chemical parameters and flowrates. Complementary to measurements, specific geological and topographical maps, and site information have been gathered. The analysis and interpretation of this huge set of hydrogeological data will be concluded with a new and innovative approach using different data science libraries that are implemented for the Python programming language. In this case study, groundwater sampling training is used to increase the understanding of the water quality. Four years of field measurements enable a better understanding of the parameter variability in relation to seasonality. Furthermore, new data analysis can aid the integrated resource management for the municipal water supply. The sampling and monitoring are key aspects to ensure water security, in terms of quality and volume. Additionally, it can also unlock prospective groundwater resources for municipal water supply. Case study data will also be compared with South African and other Swiss dataset of similar aquifer type.
|Optimized Groundwater Monitoring Design for Managed Aquifer Recharge Using Hybrid Numerical, Geophysical and Chemical modelling approach
|Clinton W
|West Coast, Western Cape
|MAR, AHP, Monitoring network design
Israel, S; Kanyerere, T
|Sharing water resources and the complexities around it: Three Case Studies from the Western Cape
|Van Staden
|Western Cape
|Water resource, De Doorns, Worcester, Drilling, Water level, Drawdown, abstraction, Irrigation, Quartzite bedding
|Test Pumping: Comparing the Farmer Test, Constant Head Test and SANS 10299-4:2003 methodologies with regards to estimating groundwater abstraction. Data, analyses and recommendations.
|Western Cape
|test-pumping, Irrigation, training, Water security
Estimating pumping rates for the purpose of equipping boreholes with suitable pumps that will not over abstract either the boreholes or the aquifer(s) that are intersected is often assessed through test pumping of the boreholes prior to pump selection. While the South African National Standard has guidelines on the methodologies and durations of these tests (SANS 10299-4:2003), many production boreholes in the agricultural and industrial sectors are still equipped based upon so called Farmer Tests or Pump Inlet Tests (PIT), often of a short (6-24 hour) duration. These tests are also frequently and incorrectly confused with a Constant Head Test (CHT), both of which are different in methodology to SANS 10299-4:2003 testing, which relies to a high degree on data collected during a Constant Discharge/Rate Test (CDT or CRT) and recovery thereafter. The study will assess differences in test pumping methodology, data collection, analysis methodology and final recommendations made between Farmer Tests and SANS 10299-4:2003 methodology tests for 20 boreholes in which both tests were performed. The selected sites cover a variety of geological and hydrogeological settings in the Western Cape. Test comparisons include boreholes drilled into the Malmesbury Group, Table Mountain Group and Quaternary alluvial deposits, with tested yields ranging from 0.5 – 25 L/s.
|Assessing groundwater dependence of wetlands and streams within the Table Mountain Group Aquifer: A Case Study from the Kogelberg
|Western Cape
|Ecosystems, datasets, conceptualisation, Monitoring
Various analysis techniques are available for assessing the groundwater dependence of ecosystems. Hydrogeological monitoring within the Kogelberg and greater Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer has provided various datasets from multiple scientific disciplines (hydrological, hydrogeological, geochemical, climatic, ecological and botanical). Using a variety of analysis techniques, and using the Kogelberg as a case study, this paper assesses the groundwater dependence of several ecological sites (wetlands and streams). The starting point is a sound geological and hydrogeological conceptualisation of the site. The approach involves conceptualisation and analysis within each scientific discipline, but also requires bridging between areas of specialisation and analysis of a variety of datasets. This paper presents the data and analyses undertaken and the relevant results as they pertain to several sites within the Kogelberg.
|Optimizing borehole performance through dynamic flow and chemistry profiling
|Drinking water standards, Groundwater Quality, supply boreholes, remediation system, optimised well design, well profiling
Stringent drinking water standards for constituents like chromium, arsenic, and nitrates, combined with continually higher demand for groundwater resources have led to the need for more efficient and accurate well characterization. Many boreholes are screened across multiple aquifers to maximize groundwater production, and since these aquifers can have different water qualities, the water produced at the wellhead is a blend of the various water qualities. Furthermore, the water entering a well may not be distributed equally across the screened intervals, but instead be highly variable based on the transmissivity of the aquifers, the depth of the pump intake, the pumping rate, and whether any perforations are sealed off due to physical, chemical, or biological plugging. By identifying zones of high and low flows and differing water qualities, well profiling is a proven technology that helps optimize operational groundwater production from water supply boreholes or remediation systems. This frequently results in increased efficiencies and reduced treatment costs. By accurately defining groundwater quantity and quality, dynamic profiling provides the data needed to optimize well designs. Conventional exploration methods frequently rely on selecting well screen intervals based on performing and analyzing drill stem tests for one zone at a time. Using dynamic flow and water quality profiling, the transmissivity and water quality can be determined for multiple production zones in a matter of one to two days. It also allows the location and size of the test intervals to be adjusted in the field, based on real-time measurements.
In this paper we discuss dynamic well profiling techniques with project case examples of characterization different types groundwater boreholes for a variety of applications and industries resulting in significant cost saving and sustainable water abstraction.
|Sustainable Groundwater Development Perspectives: Differences in sustaining individual abstraction rates based on test pumping data analysis with recharge based firm yield estimations for an aquifer or localised area.
|development, water balance, groundwater budget
As populations, agricultural and industrial demands grow with time, increasing attention is placed on developing groundwater resources in a sustainable manner. At the small, local scale, this tends to involve exploration (scientific and otherwise) and test pumping (also subject to more and less scientific methods). While there can be some subjectivity in the analysis of scientific test pumping data (the selection of representative periods of drawdown stability, the inclusion of potential boundary conditions and the estimation of available drawdown), published methodologies such as the FC method (2001) and the Q20 (1959) and R20 (2006) concepts attempt to calculate sustainable abstraction rates based on these tests. At a larger catchment or aquifer scale, water balance estimates of inflows, storage and outflows are also used to estimate the effects of groundwater abstraction within such a "water budget". This can be done conceptually, but is often also through a numerical model. A drawback of such methods is the difficulty in estimating representative annual inflow volumes, such as groundwater recharge. One such methodology is the Aquifer Firm Yield Model (2012) which assesses sustainable groundwater supplies based on threshold recharge inflows, baseflow and evapotranspiration outflows, and a 5 m aquifer saturated fluctuation limit. While this was intended for use at a preliminary stage of investigations, before sufficient hydrogeological data would be available for a numerical model, it nonetheless provides an estimate of the available groundwater for abstraction based on a water budget concept rather than test pumping data analysis. A comparison of the results of these two approaches is provided for several newly developed municipal production boreholes in the Karoo to compare where the assumptions inherent to each approach may be highlighted by noticeable differences in results.
|Analysis of groundwater sampling methods used within uranium-rich fractured rock aquifers of the Beaufort West region
|Beaufort West
|Poster, Monitoring, sampling, protocol, fractured rock
Maphumulo B; Mahed G
Disastrous droughts sweeping across South Africa has led to the population turning towards groundwater as their primary source of water. This groundwater movement has increased the need for proper groundwater management in terms of both quality and quantity. Groundwater sampling is a crucial, and yet often overlooked, component of water quality assessment and management. This thesis evaluated the various groundwater sampling methods used within fractured rock aquifers in the Beaufort West region. Each sampling method was evaluated in terms of their precision and accuracy according to their hydrochemical results. Historical hydrochemical data from past reports was utilised to determine how various groundwater sampling techniques influence results. This helped gained a better understanding of the requirements required to correctly and accurately sample different water sources such as boreholes and windmills. These requirements include the importance of purging in order to remove stagnant water from windmills. By understanding these sampling techniques, it is possible to create a groundwater sampling protocol which should be followed when sampling fractured rock aquifer in order to ensure best possible results.
|Combined use of Environmental and Artificial Tracers to Characterise the Vadose Zone.
|Van Wyk
|Poster, vadose zone, isotopic tracers, recharge mechanisms, Protection, aquifer protection
Approximately 982 km3 /annum of the world's groundwater reserve is abstracted, providing almost half of all drinking water worldwide. Globally, 70% is used for agricultural purposes while 38% for irrigation.
Most water resources of South Africa are threatened by contamination caused by industrial, agricultural, and commercial activities, and many parts of the country face ongoing drought with an urgent need to find alternative freshwater sources, such as groundwater. Groundwater constitutes approximately 15% of the total volume consumed, hence it is an important resource that supplements insufficient surface water supplies across South Africa.
Very little attention has been afforded to understanding the anthropogenically altered vadose zone as a potential source or buffer to groundwater contamination. This is evident from few research studies that has applied multiple isotopic tracers to characterise this zone. Most subsurface systems in South Africa are characterised by fractures, whereby flow and transport are concentrated along preferential flow paths.
This study aims to evaluate the performance of different tracer classes (environmental and artificial) with one another, and create a better understanding of the hydraulic properties, mean residence time and transport mechanisms of these tracers. The influence of unsaturated zone thickness on recharge mechanisms will also be evaluated.
Site visits will be conducted for the proposed study areas, and the neighbouring sources of contamination will be assessed. The matric potential and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities will be measured using various techniques. Water samples will be collected and analysed for the various tracers from the vadose zone using gravity lysimeters including suction cups. Several tracers will also be injected into boreholes where samples will be collected to calculate tracer residence times (BTC's) and further constrain the hydraulic properties of the vadose zone. All samples will be analysed, interpreted, and simulated using the numerical finite-element modelling code SPRING, developed by delta h. The software derives quantitative results for groundwater flow and transport problems in the saturated and unsaturated zones of an aquifer.
The research is expected to provide more insight into the selection and use of environmental and artificial tracers as markers for detecting, understanding the transport processes and pathways of contaminants in typical altered South African subsurface environments. The impact derived improved characterisation of the pathways, transport, and migration processes of contaminants, leading to groundwater protection strategies and appropriate conceptual and numerical models. The output from this study will determine the vertical and horizontal flux for both saturated and unsaturated conditions.
|Investigating groundwater and surface water interactions using stable isotopes and hydrochemistry in the Notwane River Catchment, South East Botswana.
|Gw-Sw interaction, Isotopes, Hydrochemistry, HCA
Modie LT; Stephens M
Stable isotopes and hydrochemical analysis were undertaken to investigate groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interactions and their possible implications on the quality and quantity of water in the karstified dolomite-dominated Notwane River Catchment (NRC) in semi-arid South East (SE) Botswana. Stable isotopes (δ18O & δ2H) and other hydrochemical parameters were analyzed from water samples (groundwater, river water and rain) collected in the upstream, middle stream and downstream of the Ramotswa Wellfields to investigate the potential GW-SW relationship in the study area. In addition field observation were also undertaken to support results obtained through stable isotopes and hydrochemical methods. Similarity in isotopic signatures taken during the dry and wet seasons respectively for groundwater (δ18O -1.4‰, δ2H -10.8‰; δ18O 1.4-‰, δ2H -10.9‰) and surface water(δ18O -2.04‰, δ2H -6.2 ‰; δ18O -2.56‰, δ2H -7.1‰) suggests groundwater recharge through the streambed at a site further downstream in the study area. In upstream study sites the average groundwater isotopic signature values of (δ2H -24.1,δ18O -4.1) suggests a more direct link to the Meteoric Water Line(MWL) indicating possibility of a rapid infiltration and quick watershed response to heavier rainfall events(δ2H -51.7, δ18O -8.6) rather than recharge through the riverbed. A further assessment on the GW-SW hydrochemistry was provided using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) to investigate the influence of groundwater on stream water. The median EC values from the clusters are in an increasing order Cluster A-B2-B1 indicating cluster A(all river samples) as the most dilute samples with the shortest resident time relative to the groundwater clusters(B2 and B1). These results therefore rules out groundwater discharge through the streambed into the river as not a dominant process for GW-SW interaction in the study area. The study has concluded that GW-SW interactions in the NRC part under study vary from connected to no connection from one site to another.
|A redescription of groundwater amphipods (Crangonyctoidea: Sternophysingidae) from karstic aquifers in Gauteng, South Africa
|Groundwater ecology, scientific illustration, zoology
Sternophysingids are a group of stygobitic amphipods that inhabit groundwater networks characterised by large fractures, cracks and voids, as well as smaller pores, fissures, cavernous openings and interstitial spaces. Two species occurring in Gauteng, South Africa, Sternophysinx filaris and Sternophysinx calceola, were studied using morphological descriptions and molecular analyses to elucidate the distribution, evolutionary history, phylogeny and population structure. The population structure and distribution of stygobitic amphipods is a reflection of the physical structure of groundwater networks, and their evolutionary history can be used to understand the formation of groundwater bodies. S.filaris is a small and common inhabitant of aquifers in the northern regions of the country, while S. calceola occurs in many of the same locations but is much larger and rarer. No morphological differences were observed between individuals of different populations of S. filaris or S. calceola and detailed illustrations have been provided for each. This finding is not believed to be indicative of a high degree of connectivity within the subterranean groundwater network, lending to high rates of gene flow, instead, these morphological similarities are a symptom of cryptic speciation. Sternophysingids are likely to arise from an very ancient and widespread ancestor inhabiting much of Gondwanaland prior to its breakup. Using the COI gene, S. calceola collected from the type locality in Matlapitse Cave was successfully PCR-amplified and sequenced. Phylogenies were constructed using a limited variety of crangonyctoid sequences and the sternophysingids were confirmed to belong to the Crangonyctoidea superfamily, being most closely allied with the Western Australian paramelitids. The relationship between these groups is still distant and ancient; it is expected that the South African paramelitids would be more closely related, as well as other African, Madagascan and Indian crangonyctoids.
|Strengthening South Africa's groundwater regulatory framework: The case of the unprotected dolomitic aquifer of Delmas
|Governance, aquifer protection, Regulations, WUA, abstraction, Water quality, SPLUMA
Governing groundwater in a way that does not deplete the source of water, nor cause any form of degradation is a global challenge. In South Africa, scholarship shows an extensive history of groundwater governance doctrines. Yet, the country's groundwater remained a poorly governed resource. A recent regulatory regime change culminated in the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA), which was specifically promulgated to 'provide for fundamental reform of the law relating to water resources'. While the NWA provided an ideal opportunity for the judicious governance of South Africa's groundwater, groundwater governance remain problematic. The regulatory focus is still very much on surface water. In fact, up to date, no regulations have been made to specifically protect vulnerable aquifers, or aquifers on which communities depend as a source of water supply, or aquifers that supports large scale agriculture. This paper sets out to achieve three objectives: to assess South Africa's existing regulatory approach to the protection of groundwater; to identify gaps in the regulatory framework; and to explore regulatory opportunities to strengthen groundwater governance. The discussion follows a focussed approach, and hinges on the case of the dolomitic aquifer of Delmas. The Delmas case study is expected to show why policy makers and planners need to be more concerned about groundwater. It will also introduce, explain and propose an established international or foreign legal measure that may be incorporated to strengthen the regulatory status of the Delmas aquifer. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening South Africa's groundwater regulation.
|Water Quality Guidelines: Which to use and where applicable?
|Van Wyk
|Poster, Water quality, guidelines, SAWQG, SANS, WHO, WUL
When conducting water quality monitoring, questions arise on which water quality guidelines to use and where to apply them. For example, the use of South African Water Quality Guidelines (SAWQG) for Domestic usage compared to the use of the South African National Standards (SANS) for Potable Water Quality when monitoring drinking water quality. The World Heath Organization (WHO) published a set of water quality guidelines for drinking water which can also be used instead of SANS. Using various water quality guidelines to assess water quality can give different outcomes on the state of water quality of a particular site. For example, SANS water quality guidelines are less strict when compared to the SAWQG target values, however, SAWQG are comprised of different sets of standards for different usages. SAWQG distinguish between drinking water, livestock and irrigation, aquatic systems and industrial usage while SANS are only used for potable or bottled water. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) that is part of the World Bank Group published the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines for Environmental Wastewater and Ambient Water Quality, guidelines set specifically for wastewater and ambient water quality. Utilizing this poster, I will explain when to use which guidelines with different types of water samples. I will also discuss the stringent water use license limits applied at some sites compared to the national standards of South Africa.
|Conjunctive use of water resources
|Saldanaha Bay
|Groundwater protection; recharge, Drawdown
Surface water has traditionally been the primary resource for water supply in South Africa. While relatively easy to assess and utilise, the surface water resource is vulnerable to climatic conditions, where prolonged periods of drought can lead to an over-exploitation and eventually water shortness and supply failure. Following the drought in 2018, more focus has been given to the groundwater resource to supplement the water supply in South Africa.
In the Saldanha Bay municipality the water supply is based on a combination of surface water and groundwater, with plans to supplement this with desalination and managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in the future. For an efficient and sustainable utilisation of the different water resources, a Water Supply Management System is developed that can be used to manage water mix from multiple resources. The system builds on top of a flexible WaterManager system developed for operation of complex water supply infrastructures, which in the study is extended by implementing operational rules for optimal management.
The operational rules provide recommendations for the day-to-day management, but also consider seasonal and long-term utilisations. To achieve this, the rules will rely on real-time monitoring data combined with results from hydrological modelling, providing estimated system response to selected scenarios to which the water supply must be resilient. In the present study the combined Water Supply Management System is developed and tested using synthetic data, which will be presented in the paper.
|Development of an Aquifer Management Plan for the Polokwane Urban Complex
|NWA 1998, wellfields, Aquifer management plan
The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) requires water resources management be driven at a local level, in keeping with the local nature of water systems. Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) as the Water Services Authority, is responsible for supplying adequate domestic water to 16 Rural Water Schemes and Groundwater Schemes. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Masterplan highlighted that the DWS, Catchment Management Agencies and Water Boards need to develop wellfields and management plans to ensure sustainable use of aquifers. The Aquifer Management Plan (AMP) for the Polokwane Urban Complex (PUC) within the Olifants-Sand Water Supply Scheme was developed with an overall aim of achieving integrated and adaptive management of the aquifer. This is to assist in confronting climate change challenges and water security at local level. The AMP forms part of the Integrated Water Resource Management and should be seen in the context of other related guidelines and activities, such as catchment management, water conservation and demand management, waste water management, and water resource planning and management. Extensive consultation with PLM and various other stakeholders as part of the Aquifer Management Plan was meant to foster a groundwater management relationship between the Department, PLM and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for implementation of the Aquifer Management Plan. A set of goals, targets and actions were developed for the Aquifer Management Plan These goals and targets serve as steps that allow for 'zooming' into the more specific actions. During consultations with the PLM, relevant Professional Service Providers, the DWS Limpopo Provincial Office and numerous other stakeholders, 75 actions within the 10 goals were identified. Ultimately, an Aquifer Management Plan had to identify actions that can improve groundwater resource management within the Polokwane Urban Complex and develop a supportive cross-institutional relationship in which to pursue them.
|HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY ? Groundwater surface water interactions – An ever-increasing focus for water resource management.
|South Africa various
|Gw-Sw interaction, wellfield testing, resource management, numerical model
More often these days we hear concerns from water users regarding "how much water is the newly drilled borehole of a neighbor extracting from "their" river water". These are serious question with serious repercussions for sustainable use and economic development. No one wants to lose what they have invested in. On the other hand, from a groundwater perspective, this is very one sided.
Numerical modelling solutions are often proposed to clients as a more accurate method of determining the groundwater surface water interaction, with the addition of volumes removed from the modelling domain, to present to decision makers the changes in volumes of discharge into streams or volumes of infiltration of stream water into the aquifer. However, this is an expensive and time-consuming exercise, and will most likely incur additional costs to accumulate sufficient meaningful data sets for input into these detailed models. A robust combination of analytical and numerical solutions is proposed, while keeping aquifer assumptions conservative, where a lack of regional data exist. This is useful in quantifying this interaction and associated volumes better without the full time and cost associated with calibrated regional flow and transport models. Analytical calculations assist in the quantification of the aquifer's hydraulic and physical properties and is used to conceptualize flow better and determine the inputs for a conservative well field scale numerical model, in which the change in flow between groundwater and surface water system are also evaluated. The well field scale model is calibrated in a fraction of the time as a conventional flow model (less than 20%), while volumes derived is defendable and based on measurable data. This combination is viewed to be a critical step in providing time effective solutions
|"But is it 'pollution'?" - determining appropriate site-specific regulatory limit values for groundwater quality.
|Groundwater Quality, WSA 108 of 1997, SANS, law, policy, Methodology
Because the quality of groundwater is influenced by the host rock through which it moves, it differs on a site-specific basis, and is often naturally brackish or even potentially harmful to people. In spite of this, many practitioners incorrectly use the SANS 241 Drinking Water Standard as "compliance requirement" to compare groundwater quality against. This standard only applies to water that has been purified to be suitable for potable purposes at a water treatment works in terms of regulations made under the Water Services Act 108 of 1997. The only circumstance in which it could be used to compare the quality of natural groundwaters against, is where such groundwater is (to be) used, for potable purposes (with or without treatment), and then only to provide guidance on the level of treatment required to facilitate suitability for such domestic use, and not to determine possible 'unacceptable' levels of contamination. Therefore, the comparison of groundwater quality results against the SANS 241 Drinking Water Standard is not only a scientifically flawed practice, it has no basis in law. It is furthermore a scientifically flawed practice to refer to groundwater quality as 'good', 'bad', or 'poor', as it reflects a judgemental anthropocentric perspective that has no place in modern discussions on judicious environmental management and monitoring.
This then raises the question, what are, or should the limit values be against which groundwater quality results should be compared to determine if it has been negatively affected by anthropogenic activity to such an extent that a scientifically substantiated claim can be made that the groundwater has been 'polluted', an allegation with criminal liability implications?
This paper aims to answer this question in the context of South African Framework law and policy, and propose a methodology to determine appropriate site-specific limit values for groundwater quality.
|What is in a - groundwater - map?
|South Africa various
|Mapping methodologies
A map is a symbolic or diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea, showing physical features and the relationship between these elements. It often reduces a three-dimensional world to two dimensions. Maps are generally static – fixed to paper or some other medium. Maps are produced for different reasons, leading to different types of maps, e.g., roadmaps, topo-cadastral maps and the groundwater maps – with the latter the topic of this article. There is a lot of work going into maps. This includes collecting all the data, doing evaluation and analysis of the data and selecting the data to use on the map. It is not possible to present all the information on a map and maps are often a generalisation. Different kinds of groundwater maps include availability, quality, vulnerability and protection. The selection of symbols to represent the information and the rendering of the maps are important in producing understandable, useful maps, but need explanations.
The success in representing the information on a map will determine the usefulness of a map, but it is still often misused. At the end of this long and tedious process where conflict management skills were well developed, you may find that the information on the map is outdated before the ink on the map is dried properly. The production of maps should be an iterative process, where new data can be incorporated as soon as it becomes available. It is an expensive process and cannot be repeated too often. This article will look at the processes that helped to shape the current series of hydrogeology maps of South Africa, and how to use it optimally while mindful of limitations. It will also briefly touch on recent research that aims to help with the production of improved groundwater maps for South Africa.


text:
Kim Kardashian just brought back a retro denim trend.
Over the weekend, the reality star took to Instagram to share a slideshow of photos of herself in a bold look. The ensemble included a pair of acid-wash black jeans. The pants offered a loose, baggy fit and were finalized with a trending straight-leg construction.
Acid wash jeans first debuted in the 1980s and were popularized by rockstars and edgy fashionistas. Today, the style is making a comeback as the fashion industry continues to recycle retro trends. In addition to acid wash jeans, we're seeing a resurgence in baggy looks, as well as tie-dye patterns and psychedelic prints — as seen on stars like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Kardashian's own sister Kylie Jenner.
Kardashian, however, gave her look a twist with the help of a crocodile-embossed bustier. The look added a refined feel to the somewhat grunge aesthetic. Kardashian is a big fan of croc looks as she's sported the style in the form of heels, boots, dresses and pants.
As for footwear, Kardashian completed the outfit with a shoe style that can never steer you wrong: strappy black sandals. The sleek shoes featured shiny straps across the toe and sat atop a stiletto heel. Her choice of heels gave the ensemble a classic touch and allowed the pants and statement top to steel the shoe. The heels are a perfect example of a styling hack when opting for a bold outfit. If you're going for a darling look you can always balance things out with a simple heel.
Add strappy black heels to your rotation with these picks below.
To Buy: Steve Madden Women's Superb Tie-Up Dress Sandals, $67 (was $89)
To Buy: Giuseppe Zanotti Catia Ankle Strap Sandals, $795
To Buy: Stuart Weitzman Melodie 75 Sandal, $277 (was $395)
Click through the gallery to see Kim Kardashian's risk-taking style through the years.

subset: commoncrawl