United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
International Hydrological Programme
Groundwater Early Warning Monitoring Strategy A Methodological Guide
Edited by
Jaroslav Vrba Brian Adams
GEWMSnwnw:Mise en page 1
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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International Hydrological Programme
Groundwater Early Warning Monitoring Strategy A Methodological Guide
Edited by
Jaroslav Vrba Brian Adams
GEWMSnwnw:Mise en page 1
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The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO, in particular concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontier or boundaries.
Published in 2008 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP Composed by Marina Rubio 93200 Saint-Denis Printed by UNESCO
SC-2008/WS/13 © UNESCO 2008 Printed in France
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Groundwater Early Warning Monitoring Strategy A Methodological Guide ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’
Prepared for the International Hydrological Programme By the Project Working Group: Jaroslav Vrba (The Czech Republic) Chairman of the Working Group Brian Adams (United Kingdom) Editor of the report Edmund Gosk (Denmark) Daniel Ronen (Israel)
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This book is dedicated to the memory of Edmund Gosk, a long time member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and its Commission for Groundwater protection who died before this book was published
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Preface International Hydrological Programme (IHP) is basically a scientific and educational programme, however, UNESCO has been aware from the beginning of a need to direct its activities toward the practical solutions of the world’s very real water resources problems. Accordingly, and in line with the recommendations of the 1997 United Nations Water Conference, the objectives of the IHP have been gradually expanded in order to cover not only hydrological processes considered in interrelationship with the environment and human activities, but also the scientific aspects of multipurpose utilization and conservation of water resources to meet the needs of economic and social development. Thus, while maintaining IHP‘s scientific concept, the objectives have shifted perceptibly towards a multi-disciplinary approach to the assessment, planning, and sustainable management of water resources. Since its very beginning, groundwater has always been important issue within all phases of the IHP. In nature groundwater is a key element in many geological processes, a geotechnical factor conditioning soil and rock behaviour and an ecological component which sustains spring discharge, river base-flow and many lakes and wetlands. Groundwater is the most valuable and safe source of drinking water in rural areas of developing countries, in arid and semi-arid regions and on islands. In some countries, such as Denmark and Austria, water supplies depend almost entirely on groundwater. Irrigation systems in many parts of the world depend on groundwater. The use of groundwater has increased significantly in recent decades due to its widespread occurrence, mostly good quality, high reliability during drought seasons and generally modest development costs. The idea that the geological environment protects groundwater from pollution and therefore gro
