The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, BGR) is the central institutional advisor to the German Federal Government on the sector of applied geosciences and answering all questions which are linked to national and international efforts on the sustainable use and protection of geo-resources such as soil and groundwater. The solutions offered by BGR for problems in the water sector are focused on the role of groundwater as a key part of the water cycle and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The related Sub-Department within the BGR “Groundwater Resources - Quality and Dynamics” has a long experience in co-operations in groundwater activities both national and international. Its main aim is to secure a sustainable quality and quantity of groundwater worldwide by implementing research and developing projects, technical co-operations, capacity building measures or adequate groundwater management and protection strategies. Capacity measure focuses therefore on hydrochemical and hydrogeological exploration methods as well as on quantitative and qualitative groundwater protection techniques. Research projects consider key issues related to soil, groundwater, sanitation, drinking water or livestock which are all linked to climate aspects and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

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The Sub-Department of BGR has long experiences in following topics, which could be relevant for the RSSC project:

• Technical advice of the Federal Government and the economy in all aspects of groundwater
• Assessment of their plant-beneficial traits
• Technical supervision and implementation of projects on groundwater exploration, management and protection within the scope of international cooperation
• Quantification of water and rock interaction and the genesis of groundwater
• Analysis, exploration, assessment and presentation of the composition and quality of groundwater, salt and thermal solutions as well as geogenic background levels and possible anthropogenic changes
• Investigation and assessment of mineral waste in relation to their potential risk of danger in the context of recovery
• Transfer of geological, geophysical and hydrogeological investigations in 2D and 3D structural models
• Groundwater inflow and outflow balance under varying climatic
• Development and application of mathematical methods, groundwater and solute transport models for the quantification of groundwater resources as well as analysis and forecasting of the groundwater system behaviour and its ingredients
• Development of professional expertise and decision support systems for water management plans and management of groundwater resources for an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

The Sub-department “Groundwater Resources - Quality and Dynamics” of BGR had cooperation’s or currently cooperates with following South African countries:

 Botswana
Palaeo-Hydrogeology of the Okavango Basin and Makgadikgadi Pan (Botswana) in the Light of Climate Change and Regional Tectonics (Research project: 2007-2008)

In Southern Africa large intra-continental depressions form nowadays the base level of huge hydrological catchments which are dewatered by mostly ephemeral streams and few persistent rivers. Being former basins of large freshwater lakes and representing therefore ancient recharge areas, these large depressions are receiving an increasing interest as they may have the potential to contain groundwater resources that could be used as drinking water for an increasing population. To understand the recent, and sometimes surprising, discoveries of deep lying, fresh groundwater resources it is therefore necessary to investigate beside of geological structures also the palaeo-hydrogeological conditions and the palaeo-hydrology of these lakes. This needs to be addressed not only under the perspective of climatic change but also considering regional tectonic events. Within a thesis the development, expansion and altitude former lake levels in the Makgadikgadi Pan were finally analysed.

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 Botswana
Investigation of the Processes Leading to Nitrate Enrichment in the Ntane Sandstone Aquifer in Botswana (Research project: 2001 - 2004)
A research cooperation established in 2001 between the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and Department of Geological Survey Botswana (DGS), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research South Africa (CSIR) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Rural Development Namibia (MAWRD) aimed at joining the national research activities into a coordinated regional research programme for the investigation of the different aspects of nitrate accumulation in groundwater. Results of this study can provide the base for the general understanding of the fate of nitrate at other locations of semi-arid conditions.

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 Namibia
Groundwater for the northern part of Nambia, Cuvelai-Etosha-Basin (Technical co-operation: 2006 - 2010 phase I, 2010 – 2013 phase II)
The first phase (2006-2010) of the project analysed the groundwater resources of the lishana-subbasin in the Cuvealia-Ethosha-Basin in regard to its quality and quantity. The given information is intended to support the existing water management structures in implementing a sustainable drinking water supply for the population living in this region. The second phase of the project (2010-2013) targets to improve the application of the groundwater management in the Cuvelai-Etosha-Basin. In this context the project contributes to advise and support the implementation organisation, Division of Geohydrogelogy within the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry (MAWF) in providing a groundwater management system (GWIS) on the example of CEB. Additionally training and development measures for the staffs of the partners as well as for mediators from national authorities or local decision-making bodies are important components of the methodical approach, but also information exchange about the gained knowledge with the strategic partners at national and regional level.

 Namibia
Development and age classification of duricrusts as a basis for paleogeographical and paleohydrogeological modelling in the Cuvelai-Etoscha-Basin (Research project: 2010 – 2012)
Within the project “Groundwater resources for the northern part of Namibia” cores of a newly discovered aquifer were taken for the first time. The genesis of this aquifer is largely unknown at present. In particular, paleogeographical and paleohydrogeological basics are missing to soundly assess the significance for water supply and resource management. A fundamental element of this project are duricrusts (hardened layers formed by chemical precipitation) occurring in the whole basin. The objective of this project is to reconstruct their development process and to analyse their age. In addition, questions on the environmental setting during their formation will be examined to derive paleoclimatic conditions. A second focus of the project is the analysis of the source area of the detrital material to determine the direction of sedimentation (paleoflow). To ensure the consistency of the diverse information, all results, including those of the duricrusts and geophysical and hydrogeological examinations, should be integrated in an interdisciplinary (sedimentology, geophysics, hydrogeology) hydrogeological 3D structural model. In this context, internal interfaces of existing 3D procedures have to be developed further. As the duricrusts are a widespread phenomenon with general paleohydrogeological and –climatic relevance, the examination of the duricrusts in this project will provide new insights of transnational value.

 Namibia
Groundwater Investigations in Oshivelo, Eastern Caprivi and Omaheke (Technical Co-operation: 2002-2006)
The main objective of the project was the investigation of groundwater resources in three areas in the north and northeast of Namibia, with a high water demand: Oshivelo, Eastern Caprivi and Omaheke. Helicopter geophysical measurements were conducted in the investigation areas Oshivelo and Eastern Caprivi, whereas ground-geophysical measurements were done in all three investigation areas. While the airborne measurements resulted in densely spaced detailed information down to depths of approx. 80 m, the ground based survey contributed with resistivity values at selected single points down to a depth of approx. 400 m. For the field work of the ground based resistivity soundings a private company was engaged. The airborne measurements were carried out from October 2002 until March 2003 by the BGR-working group for aerogeophysics. The survey results and their interpretation were controlled and confirmed with test drillings, carried out from April to November 2004. Pump tests revealed information concerning the productivity of the explored groundwater resources and with hydrochemical and isotope analyses of the water its quality, origin and age was examined. Finally the information was combined in a so-called hydrogeological conceptual model. These concepts about genesis and hydraulics of the water occurrences present the base of a future responsible and sustainable groundwater resources management.

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 Namibia
The Hydrogeological Mapping Project HYMNAM (Technical co-operation: 1999-2001)
The objective of the project was to develop a basis for evaluating and planning the management of the countries groundwater resources. For this purpose a digital hydrogeological map of Namibia and accompanying Explanatory Notes was to be prepared. The main participants in Namibia were the Department of Water Affairs, Namibia (DWA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, the Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN) of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the semi-private water utilities company Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater). Numerous other institutions and nearly all of the major consulting bureaus in Namibia made valuable contributions to the project.

The Hydrogeological Map of Namibia (Source: BGR)

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 Zambia
Groundwater Resources for Southern Province (Technical cooperation: 2005-2009 phase 1; 2010 – 2012 phase II)
The project “Groundwater Resources for Southern Province” (GReSP) was launched in May 2005 with the objectives to facilitate an effective groundwater resource planning and management in the Southern Province and to strengthen the capacities in the Zambian water sector. After the conclusion of the first phase in 2009, the project has been extended from Southern to the Lusaka Province. BGR will support the Zambian Department of Water Affairs in developing and implementing a groundwater management plan to protect the vulnerable groundwater resources and to secure a sustainable drinking water supply of the city. This includes advocacy work for groundwater in planning institutions and awareness raising on the governmental and non-governmental level. Other planned activities towards the development of a groundwater management strategy are inter alia to organize training courses for scientists, engineers and technicians in hydrological/ hydrogeological field investigations and resource management.

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Depending on the application process of the RSSC project we propose following issues in cooperation with members of the RSSC water group. The Zambesi basin and the Cuvelai-Etosha basin could be potential case study areas:

• Improve hydrological and hydro-geological monitoring network & exploration (also on transboundary resources)
• Hydrological and hydro-geological process analysis and modelling
• Academic Education Programmes: Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics and Earth system Sciences

The Sub-Department “Groundwater Resources - Quality and Dynamics” is also active in the area of capacity development. In this context following activities have already been carried out in cooperation with the national Partners: Weblink

• Academic teaching in the postgraduate sector:
  Afghanistan, Kubul University (2003-2006): providing expertise and teaching material, development of Curricula in cooperation with national partners and the University of Karlsruhe


• Further training opportunities for specialised authorities and technical training:
  BGR supports the Arab Center for the Study of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in the implementation and institutionalisation of a Decision-Support-System (DSS) for management, protection and sustainable use of soil and water resources through capacity building measures (on-the-job trainings or training workshops)
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• Technical Trainings
  Capacity building activities in the partner countries mainly focus on groundwater protection and Integrated Water Resources Management


• Grass-root capacity development (in cooperation with Sub-Department "International Cooperation"):
  Regional Training on Groundwater Management in an IWRM framework, delivered by the African Groundwater Network
  • South Africa, Johannesburg (6 - 10 July 2009, host institution: University of the Witwatersrand), course entitled: "Groundwater management for water managers: A role for hydrogeological science"
  • Togo, Lomé (12 - 16 April 2010, host institution: Global Water Partnership, West Africa), course entitled: “Regional course on groundwater management in an IWRM framework”

Apart from our profound groundwater expertise, essential regional knowledge due to our research projects in Africa as well as long standing experience in capacity development measures we could provide following services:

• Hydrogeological Models, conceptual & structural (2D/3D)
• Numerical Modeling (Groundwater Flow and Transport) & Decision Support System (DSS)
• Groundwater Information System (Database & GIS functionality)
• Access to different laboratories (e.g. Geo-hydro chemical laboratory) and Hydrochemical Interpretations
• Field measurements of hydrogeological parameters (e.g. groundwater pumping tests, groundwater samplings, monitoring systems)

Bäumle, R., Neukum, C., Nkhoma, J. & Silembo, O. (2007): The Groundwater Resources of Southern Province, Zambia. - Technical report Vol. 1, prepared by Department of Water Affairs (DWA), Zambia & Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR); Unpubl. report, BGR archive no. 0127518, 132 p., 64 fig., 27 tab.; Hannover - Lusaka.  Weblink

Himmelsbach. T. et al. (2008): Groundwater and Climate Change: Challenges and Possibilities. Hanover. Germany.

Himmelsbach, T. 2002-2005): Groundwater resources at risk Kabul. Afghanistan Assessment of the present situation and consequences for the future. Hanover. Germany.  Weblink

Himmelsbach, T. et al. (2009): Managing the Water Buffer for Development and Climate Change Adaptation Groundwater Recharge, Retention, Reuse and Rainwater Storage. ISBN: 978-90-79658-03-9

Margane, A., Baeumle, R., Schildknecht, F. & Bittner, A. (2005): Groundwater Investigations in the Oshivelo Region - Main Hydrogeological Report. - Unpubl. technical report prepared for Technical Cooperation Project "Investigation of Groundwater Resources and Airborne-Geophysical Investigation of Selected Mineral Targets in Namibia", Volume IV.GW.1.1, BGR archive no. 0125832 : 4,1, 198 p.; Windhoek.

Meier, J., Himmelsbach, T. & Böttcher, J. (2008): Paläohydrogeologische und paläohydrologische Bedingungen im Okavango Becken und der Makgadikgadi Pfanne, Botswana. In: Sauter, M., Ptak, Th., Kaufmann-Knoke, R., Lodemann, M., Van Den Kerkhof, A. (Hg.): Grundwasserressourcen: Kurzfassungen der Vorträge und Poster; Tagung der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie in der DGG, Göttingen, 21. bis 25. Mai 2008; Hannover.  PDF download

Stadler, S. (2006): Investigation of natural processes leading to nitrate enrichment in aquifers of semi-arid regions. - Schr. Angew. Geol. - AKG Karlsruhe, Vol. 71, 238 p.

Stadler, S., Hoyer, M.von & Himmelsbac, T. (2005): Natural nitrate in the Ntane sandstone aquifer: origin, fate and impacts on groundwater management. - In: Proc. Intern. Workshop on Environmental Geology in Semi-Arid Environments, Nov. 11 - 12, 2004, Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana / Department of Geological Survey (DGS), Environmental Geology Division, pp. 113 - 120.