By Jorisna Bonthuys
The theme of this year’s World Water Day is ‘Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible’. As it is a vital resource in South African cities, the Water Research Commission (WRC) has funded a research project to improve the governance of groundwater flows for growing cities facing drought risks. The WRC has identified the need for research into the functioning, governance and sustainable management of groundwater for urban areas, giving special consideration to the wider catchment area that extends beyond the cities’ administrative boundaries. Research efforts are under way to establish a shared understanding between scientists, technical experts, decision-makers and water users on the implications of different climate and land-use scenarios on groundwater use and recharge in cities at risk of drought. GoFlow Project Called the GoFlow Project, it focuses on governing groundwater flow for growing cities facing drought risks in the context of the water system as a whole. It started in April last year and will conclude in March 2023. A research team has been put together comprising:• team lead Dr Anna Taylor from the African Climate and Development Initiative at the University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Dr Ffion Atkins from UCT’s Department of Environmental and Geographical Science • Dr Christopher Jack from UCT’s Climate Systems Analysis Group • two master’s students. Read More: Issuu – Publication
