a look back on the IGRAC Symposium: Groundwater, A Global Perspective

June 13, 2008: On June 5^th IGRAC celebrated its 5^th anniversary in Amsterdam with the symposium ‘Groundwater, a Global Perspective'. A diverse group of internationally renowned groundwater specialists, policymakers and other water professionals attended this celebration. The symposium was hosted by Mr. Peter Letitre, director of IGRAC.

Dr. Alice Aureli (UNESCO) and Dr. Arthur Askew (WMO) spoke on behalf of the initiating organisations and underlined the importance of IGRAC for the international groundwater community. Professor Stephen Foster, president of IAH (and director of GW•MATE), complimented and congratulated IGRAC with its achievements in the past five years. Jan Ebbing (Deltares/TNO) welcomed the guests on behalf of IGRAC's hosting organization.

Mr. Jac van der Gun, senior hydrogeologist at IGRAC, discussed the current knowledge on groundwater on a global scale. He focused on how much we know already about aquifer systems and about groundwater components in the global hydrological cycle. He emphasized the need to monitor change in groundwater on a global scale. He also explained the importance of delivering appropriate groundwater messages to policymakers, which was acknowledged later on by other keynote speakers in a forum discussion.

A short movie on Groundwater and Global Change was presented. This is one of four groundwater movies that IGRAC has produced for educational and awareness raising purposes for non-specialist audiences. The movies can be watched on YouTube, and may be ordered on DVD by sending a request to IGRAC.

Professor Stephen Foster looked at the controversial issue of using non-renewable groundwater resources, which often conflicts with our notion of sustainability. He pointed out that under specific conditions using these non-renewable resources is socially sustainable and justified, provided there is a development plan and an exit strategy. He stressed the importance of managing groundwater in a participatory way and with a risk-based approach. Further, he supported the idea of full economic valuation of groundwater systems including opportunity costs and in-situ values of groundwater in order to bring the right messages.

Professor Richard Carter of the International Water Development Department of the Cranfield University focussed on the role of groundwater in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in Africa. He talked about the millions of ‘unserved' Africans who rely on groundwater for local and incremental development. According to professor Carter, the MDGs can still be reached if we develop productive ways of water use alongside domestic use, focus on non-technical infrastructures, reduce drilling costs and improve hydrogeological mapping, data collection and training.

Manuel Ramón Llamas, emeritus professor of Hydrogeology at the University of Madrid, feels that groundwater development and management is still a ‘Cinderella' for decision-makers. Meanwhile, it has caused a silent revolution among common people in many countries because of its relatively easy accessibility and cost-efficiency. Mr. Llamas explained how the concepts of virtual water trade and water footprints challenge the current paradigms on water and food security. He also addressed the concept of good groundwater governance and how IGRAC can play a role by being transparent and participatory and by providing information for all.

Roelof Stuurman, senior hydrogeologist with Deltares, zoomed in on the Netherlands and showed how human interventions may lead to unintended hydrogeological consequences when groundwater knowledge is not fully considered. Mr. Stuurman's suggestion that the magnitude of hydrogeological effects caused by humans will exceed climate change effects and hence we should focus on the former instead of the latter invoked quite some discussion. However, the idea that groundwater resources may provide a backup reserve of water and hence a solution for climate change affected people was widely supported.

The lessons learnt from this symposium and the past 5 years will be taken forward in IGRAC's future activities like their contribution to the next World Water Forum and in their partnerships with Dutch and International organisations.