The WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) branch offers new knowledge in water and sanitation through research and development projects. The knowledge generated results in new or refined technologies and innovations which the WRC provides to the water sector to address specific needs and challenges. The branch is actively involved in human and institutional capacity development using research and development projects, research products and services. The RDI branch has three key strategic areas (or business units), which are Water Resources and Ecosystems, Water Utilisation in Agriculture and Water Use and Wastewater Management. Groundwater-related research falls under the Water Resources and Ecosystems area.

This 28 page summary document offers an oversight into the latest groundwater research under three main themes.
Herewith a quick summary of the contents and information & links available:

EXPLORATION, CHARACTERISATION & DEVELOPMENT

THE HYDROGEOLOGY OF GROUNDWATER REGION 39 - WRC report no. TT 881/22

THE VADOSE ZONE: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE - WRC report no. TT 869/21

MACHINE LEARNING MODELS FOR GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY – INCORPORATING A FRAMEWORK FOR A SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER STRATEGY -  WRC report no. TT 845/20

THE KARST VADOSE ZONE: INFLUENCE ON RECHARGE, VULNERABILITY AND SURFACE STABILITY- WRC report no. TT 779/19

OTHER REPORTS

• THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEUWELTJIES AND SALINE GROUNDWATER ALONG THE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA

• TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES ALONG THE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA

• URBAN GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

• GEO-STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND SUB-DELINEATION OF ALL VEGTER REGIONS

• GROUNDWATER SAMPLING MANUAL

• HYDROGEOLOGY OF GROUNDWATER REGION 10: THE KARST BELT

GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON PROTECTION ZONES (DELINEATION AND PROTECTION): DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - WRC report no. TT 902/22

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON GROUNDWATER SCHEME DEVELOPMENT - WRC report no. TT 903/22

CONJUNCTIVE WATER USE GUIDELINE - WRC report no. TT 904/22

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON GROUNDWATER DATA COLLECTION  - WRC report no. TT 905/22

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF A GROUNDWATER SCHEME - WRC report no. TT 906/22

TRAINING MANUAL FOR GROUNDWATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND GROUNDWATER GOVERNANCE FOR MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA - WRC report no. TT 790/19

OTHER REPORTS

• GOVERNING GROUNDWATER IN CITY REGIONS: WATER METABOLISM AND ACTOR NETWORKS IN THE CASES OF CAPE TOWN AND NELSON MANDELA BAY

• ASSESSING WATER USER IMPACTS ON ECO-HYDROLOGY USING STABLE ISOTOPES

• PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT OF A REAL-TIME MONITORING SYSTEM FOR GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND QUALITY USING THE GEOGRAPHIC OF THINGS

• MOBILE APP FOR HYDROCENSUS AND GROUNDWATER MONITORING

• CISMOL – MONITORING GROUNDWATER IN THE HOUT CATCHMENT

• TRAINING MANUAL FOR GROUNDWATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND GROUNDWATER GOVERNANCE FOR MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

• GROUNDWATER USE BY ALIEN INVASIVE PLANTS: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PROSOPIS SPP INVASIONS ON WATER SUPPLY TO GROUNDWATER DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES

• A REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GROUNDWATER PROTECTION MEASURES, IN PARTICULAR RESOURCE DIRECTED MEASURES, IN SOUTH AFRICA IN THE CONTEXT OF CHINAFRICA WATER FORUM DIALOGUES

• THE CAPTURE PRINCIPAL APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER USE

POLLUTION & THE ENVIRONMENT

GROUNDWATER RESOURCE DIRECTED MEASURES (2012 EDITION)  - WRC report No. TT 506/12

OTHER REPORTS

• SMART MONITORING AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM OF SINKHOLE WITH FIBRE OPTIC SENSORS AND INSAR

• ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF CEMETERIES

• GEOPHYSICAL DELINEATION AND MONITORING OF AMD IN THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

• DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERACTIVE VULNERABILITY MAP AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION BY MEANS OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

• CONJUNCTIVE WATER USE GUIDELINE

• GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF A GROUNDWATER SCHEME

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