Completion of hydrogeological mapping in Ethiopia

(A hydrogeological survey, compilation of hydrogeological and hydrochemical maps and their legends at a scale of 1:250 000, capacity building)

At the present time, in Ethiopia, less than 60% of the population have access to safe drinking water. Surface water is not suitable for drinking without proper treatment and represents a health risk for the whole population and in particular for infants, because more than 80% of infectious diseases originate in contaminated water. The possibilities of the effective development of water resources are governed by their knowledge, and for this reason the mapping and evaluation of water reserves for the further development of the country is essential. The Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) is responsible for the mapping of groundwater resources by law.

Within the project, a hydrogeological survey was carried out, as well as the collection of base maps and satellite data, a survey of terrain and the evaluation of data. An important aspect was also the compilation of hydrogeological and hydrochemical maps and their legends (84 map sheets) at a scale of 1:250 000 and the conversion of all hydrogeological outputs to a format suitable for presentation on the Internet and their publication on the web pages of the GSE. GEOtest was also concerned with capacity building, organising and implementing 1) training for the GSE staff in the area of survey, fieldwork, evaluation of groundwater resources, construction of hydrogeological and hydrochemical maps and their practical interpretations, 2) training for instructors in the area of practical interpretation of hydrogeological and hydrochemical maps, 3) training for representatives of 9 regions in the area of work with hydrogeological and hydrochemical maps and their interpretation for the future planning of the provision of safe drinking water for the population of Ethiopia.