WASH Cluster – Groundwater Development and Drilling
GWD3
Session Plan
GWD3 – Identifying Potential Groundwater Sources
Timetable
GWD1 - Occurrence
GWD2 GWD3 - Identifying
GWD4 - Developing
Characteristics of
Potential
Groundwater Sources
Groundwater Systems Groundwater Sources
60 mins
1 hour 45 mins
40 mins
1 hour 45 mins
GWD5 - Protecting
Groundwater Sources
1 hour 10 mins
Session Plan
Session Activities
Potential data sources
Approx.
Time
10
Instructional Activity
10
Q&A, group exercise
5
CASE STUDY
15
Discussion and exercise
Likely data requirements and sources
Siting a well
Determining where to investigate
Total time for Session
Q&A, group exercise
40 mins
Session Aims

This session aims to provide an understanding of the different information required to identify a
groundwater source and how to go about obtaining that information. It builds on session GWD
1 understanding of groundwater occurrence to enable the appropriate questions to be asked,
relevant references to be obtained and make a decision on the suitability of groundwater as a
potential source

Emphasis is on where to obtain suitable information and link to the critical importance of
obtaining as much relevant information as possible before landing in the middle of potential
chaos during in an emergency.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session the participant will be able to:



Discuss the type of relevant information that needs to be obtained to identify a groundwater
source
List potential sources of information
Apply the information to assess the potential for groundwater in an area
Session Materials

Computer and projector

Flip chart paper and pens

Handouts: -Exercise 4, 5, 6, Handout 3 (map)
Key Learning Points




Groundwater is not available everywhere or not in useful quantities
Identify available information that will assist in determining viability of groundwater as a
potential source
Don’t reinvent the wheel - build on existing knowledge from multiple sources
Adapt approach to available skills.
1
WASH Cluster - Groundwater Development and Drilling

GWD3
Find out about and respect local regulations
Session plan
TRAINER:
Stress that before starting on-ground works, there is a lot of
information that can be obtained to help look more efficiently for a
groundwater source.
TRAINER:
Discuss the need to recognize uncertainties in finding adequate
groundwater
Therefore the need to get as much information as possible
TRAINER:
Conduct Exercise 1
Break participants into groups for the exercise
Participants to answer the question. “What issues might you consider
when looking for a groundwater source?”
When list of points have been consolidated from the group then
discuss the question “How would these factors influence where you
would look for groundwater?”
TRAINER:
Stress that the aquifer that might be available has to be able to meet
the need – comment on the volumes and refer to SPHERE
Participants: to describe their experiences in providing water from
groundwater – eg population served, what type of source eg pumped
well, spring; did it last long; what was the quality etc
Trainer
Set up exercise 2: Searching information sources
In Groups prepare a checklist of required information to identify a
groundwater source in an emergency & where to find this information
See notes below for list. Trainer should add relevant local and
regional sources of information.
Session Plan – GWD3
2
WASH Cluster - Groundwater Development and Drilling
GWD3
Show examples of data sources from websites, Government agencies,
existing reports
Trainer to try and obtain maps that are available locally where
possible.
Trainer:
Trainer to ask group “what will collecting these data tell us?”
Summarise the key data requirements for finding a groundwater
source
Trainer:
Handout copies of the Case Study (GWD3_HO_Developing a
groundwater model) Refer to case study and discuss how existing
data can be used to identify where the groundwater occurs and point
to potential areas for a well
Trainer:
Commence Exercise 3: Participants to examine existing information
to identify a suitable area for potential investigation. Notes for
exercise are below.
Using the map that we used in GWD1 Occurrence, and the table
produced GWD3_HO_Table of Rock Types, groups to list again the
areas where groundwater might be most likely to be found in large
volumes
Handout GWD3_HO_Gwater MAP is the same map with a lot of bore
Session Plan – GWD3
3
WASH Cluster - Groundwater Development and Drilling
GWD3
locations marked
EXERCISE 1: Issues to consider when looking for a groundwater source
What issues might you consider looking for a groundwater source?
GROUPS to PREPARE A LIST
Likely to consider:




volume required – volume for drinking, for animals etc? – presumably for most
emergency situations it is people first
are there alternative sources, springs, existing wells, seasonal changes
timing - for an emergency presumably that is immediate unless there is a source other
than groundwater
what about the host community – is there potential for conflict over use of existing
sources or being seen to “take” their water
Q: How would these factors influence where you would look for groundwater?
A: Look for groundwater sources that might be:



Session Plan – GWD3
readily accessible for shallow wells;
already in operation eg well fields, springs etc;
of sufficient volume to provide the required resource for displaced community and host
population (so what type of aquifers would you look for?)
4
WASH Cluster - Groundwater Development and Drilling
GWD3
EXERCISE 2: SEARCHING INFORMATION SOURCES
IN GROUPS –PREPARE A CHECK LIST OF INFORMATION, AND SOURCES RELEVANT INFORMATION,
Prepare Checklist of type of information to look for
Groups to compare lists and come up with a comprehensive list of who, what and where and how
the information will assist identifying a groundwater source in an emergency.
Note that this also applies in later phase and longer term, development situations where long term
sustainability is required.
Likely list to be generated by the group:

Water source information (ask a local including community, local drillers and Government).
Too often NGOs work in their own bubble, forgetful of local agency expertise, knowledge and
obligations.

Maps available maps (geological, hydrogeological, topographic contours , location of existing
bores, soil, rainfall) from Government departments, UN .

Community and local authority knowledge of, existing well locations

Drilling information that may be available

Aerial photos, including Google Earth or Google maps

Government advice & records –permissions/approvals

Rainfall data

Other NGOs’experience , particularly those that have been in the country for a while, predisaster even, working on projects involving groundwater/agriculture

Local Consultants and contractors

Ask a specialist at home who could help remotely investigate data sources.
Session Plan – GWD3
5
WASH Cluster - Groundwater Development and Drilling
GWD3
Exercise 3: Select a potential groundwater target area
Using the map that we used in GWD1 Occurrence, and the table produced GWD3_HO_Table of Rock
Types, groups to list again the areas where groundwater might be most likely to be found in large
volumes
Handout GWD3_HO_Gwater MAP is the same map with a lot of bore locations marked
Q: If a map of bores in an area is not available, how would you get this information??
A: eg: inspections, ask locals, ask agencies – mark these carefully to make a map (using
a GPS for location and document other information
The map shows twenty bores - where are they located and what are the aquifer types?

10 (the most) are in sand and clay area to the north (suggest reasonable aquifers)

4 are in basalts (suggests it can be a good aquifer in some areas)

Remainder are scattered around the area (considering the large area, this is not encouraging
Q:
What does this suggests as a possible target for groundwater supply?
A:
There are existing bores that might be used for the emergency
There are two areas that might be able to be drilled
There are drillers that might be able to do the job
Group Discussion of the issues –What other things would you have to look for from this
information?
Points to bring out in the discussion:

How close are they to the location of the displaced population? – if 20km from the site, is
this an option?

Who owns the bores?

What is the depth to the water table?,

How deep are the existing bores?

What is the volume and how reliable is the supply from these wells?

What is the water quality – no point in high yield if it is not potable.

Are there Govt regulations that might need to be considered if new bores are to be
proposed?
Session Plan – GWD3
6