By Roelof Bezuidenhout
The International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (ISMAR) will be held in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, from 28 April to 2 May. This symposium will allow the world’s MAR experts and academics to showcase their specialities and open the door for companies and institutions to tackle new projects and studies in Africa.
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) covers a wide variety of activities, from improving water supply security, reducing environmental impacts especially linked to dewatering, and adaptations related to climate change.
MAR involves stopping rain water from running away and collecting it and storing it underground in rock or sand formations instead of in dams where the water quickly evaporates.
MAR schemes range from very big and complicated, such as is found in California in America, to quite simple, such as in India where small-holder farmers are helped to catch water in pits that are filled with stones. The pits catch stormwater, which then slowly sinks into aquifers below, recharging the farmers’ groundwater source and ensuring a water supply during dry years.
This is particularly crucial in countries such as India where droughts and overexploitation of the water resources are threatening the livelihoods of millions of rural dwellers. There are fears that if nothing is done very few people will eventually have access to clean water.
The symposium will be attended by national and international regulators, researchers and practitioners in all facets of MAR, including hydrogeology, geochemistry, microbiology, modelling, economics and water resources management.
The main theme, “From Theory to Implementation and Operation”, places the focus on the latest research, implementation of MAR sites, and the practicality of operating MAR schemes.
South Africa has about 20 MAR projects in operation but there’s potential for many more, especially at municipal level, to improve all round water security. The techniques are far more cost-effective than building reservoirs.
However, when implementing a MAR scheme, there are several things to consider, such as site selection, the economics of the scheme, the type of scheme and technologies that will provide optimal results, and the legislative requirements. For more info, visit https://ismar12.org.za/
 | Roelof Bezuidenhout is a fourth-generation wool, mohair, mutton and game farmer and freelance journalist. Attended Free State University, majoring in animal husbandry and pasture science. Other interests include golf, photography and geology. |
