March 18, 2010

Using satellite systems to monitor groundwater

Pioneering work using satellite systems to monitor and measure groundwater in Hermanus in the Western Cape could be developed and applied to other South African groundwater projects, using local and international expertise.This concept formed part of the discussions at a recent workshop, the second in a series of three, on developing and applying Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) to assess groundwater resources.

The workshop was held at the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on 18 March. It was organised by groundwater specialists Umvoto Africa and funded by the Water Research Commission. It was held in collaboration with the Overstrand Municipality and the Chief Directorate: National Geo-Spatial Information (CDNGI). Groundwater is water found underground in porous sandy strata, and in the fractures and fissures of rock formations. It has historically been seen as a separate entity from surface water, but there been a realisation that a unified approach is the only sensible manner to manage water resources.

Read the full article on Umvoto’s website.

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