THE VULNERABILITY OF AFRICA'S SURFICIAL AND GROUNDWATER AQUIFERS TO URBAN POLLUTION

Executive Summary

The challenges
In West Africa, many cities reliant on groundwater supply are faced with major challenges ranging from increasing demand and use of poor quality water from traditional wells. This has been made worse by poor waste disposal methods, which are usually situated, on the surface above the groundwater supply aquifers. Other groundwater problems result from unplanned sewerage systems, inadequate financial and technical expertise compounded by rapidly increasing Urban populations. This project raises awareness to the gravity of the situation on urban groundwater supplies and mirrors other cases in Africa.

Objectives
Its four primary objectives were selection and mapping of selected key sampling points, monitoring of the waters, a comprehensive evaluation of urban pollution pressures on the groundwater resource, creation of vulnerability maps, dissemination of annual bulletins whose information summarised in Early Warning Bulletins which were presented to planners and relevant ministries whose mandates and activities touch on the ground.

Activities
Multidisciplinary National research teams composed of university teaching staff, and water experts from the Governments based in country water authorities were jointly established and carried out sampling and analysis of water points for two years 2000-2002. The project coverage transverses different climatic zones i.e. the dry Sahelian zones (Bamako, Oaugadougou and Niamey) and the humid coastal zones (Dakar, Abidjan and Cotonou). Data and information collected was used in the write-up of reports and early warning bulletins. In the course of this assessment, capacity was built in the use of GIS for mapping of the groundwater points and preparation of vulnerability maps. Data and information was also freely shared in the analysis of groundwater samples. Country teams were linked by a website where research findings were posted.

Outputs
Reports were presented to UNEP and UNESCO/IHP and Early Warning Bulletins disseminated to relevant ministries, policy makers and internationally on the projects website. In these reports, detailed sampling data and researched information was updated and made available on the website. The reports summarise the data and information emanating out of the assessment exercise.

Conclusion
Within the two years of the project, detailed assessments have been carried out with selected sampled sites and data being used to create vulnerability maps, data stored in a database and summarised Early Warning Bulletins published and also made available on the projects website. The network in West Africa acts as a springboard with potential for extension of these activities to other countries in East and Southern Africa.