News
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The Indo-Gangetic plain, which has stratified layers of sand and clay, is highly prone to subsidence from over-exploitation of groundwater. When the amount of groundwater extracted year after year is so much more than the rainfall that recharges the aquifer, the land can collapse and subside. Groundwater extraction has also... read more...
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More than half of South Africa’s population relies on groundwater for its water supply, but a failure to secure the skills needed for the management of this critical resource at a local government level is threatening our ability to respond to the impacts of climate change and other drivers of... read more...
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Experts believe that rainfall deficit is just one of many reasons behind the depletion of groundwater levels in Malnad and Coastal Karnataka, where water was easily available in the past. Deforestation, concretisation, over-exploitation of groundwater for agriculture and poor rainwater harvesting systems are equal culprits. As a result, even places... read more...
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Vajinder Kumar, a Chemist at Akal University, reports that ‘Malwa is known as the cancer belt of Punjab’. Many residents also suffer from other conditions linked to water contaminated with excess fluoride and arsenic. Fluorosis is characterised by dental and crippling bone problems, while arsenicosis or arsenic poisoning is characterised... read more...
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Environment Committee MEPs adopted their position on new laws that revise the Water Framework Directive, the Groundwater Directive and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (Surface Water Directive). The aim of the revisions is better protection for human health and natural ecosystems from pollutants. The revisions include a watch list of... read more...
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A new study shows that our human pumping and relocating of groundwater has slightly shifted Earth’s mass – thereby slightly changing Earth’s spin – and causing Earth’s rotational axis to increase its rate of wandering. Groundwater withdrawal for agriculture, mining, or household use, for example, has caused a slight-but-noticeable shift... read more...
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Groundwater is our most important freshwater resource, but the lack of systematic analysis of its economic importance has evaded attention from policymakers and the general public–threatening the resource. The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The Economics of Groundwater in Times of Climate Change report, published by the World Bank, offers new data and... read more...
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The state will no longer grant certifications for new developments within the Phoenix area, as groundwater rapidly disappears amid years of water overuse and climate change-driven drought. A study found that around 4% of the area’s demand for groundwater cannot be met over the next 100 years under current conditions... read more...
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Geological Survey of India to assess groundwater contamination by heavy metals in Punjab and Haryana
The project will determine the level of trace elements and heavy metals in groundwater from natural and anthropogenic sources and will prepare a geo-environmental map of contaminated and non-contaminated areas. Trace elements and heavy metals are those whose presence in environment is in very low quantity but can be toxic... read more...
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During the persistent drought and the low flow of the Santa Lucía river, which normally supplies Montevideo, the water supply company has also abstracted water from further downstream, near to the estuary of the La Plata River. This has raised chloride and sodium levels in the drinking water quality, described... read more...
National Chapters
Local professional, scientific and social benefits and promotion of sustainable groundwater use
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Contributing to the science of groundwater and undertaking outreach, education and training
Publications
Information about IAH’s Hydrogeology Journal and books
Education
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