Ritchie Morris recognized by the International Association of Hydrogeologists

Ritchie Morris recognized by the International Association of Hydrogeologists

21 Sep 2022
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Ritchie Morris recognized by the International Association of Hydrogeologists

At their Annual General Meeting held in Wuhan, China in September 2022, the International Association of Hydrogeologists recognised Ritchie Morris of Morris Environmental & Groundwater Alliances for his work in developing and managing a groundwater supply near Sedgefield.

wuhan


The Applied Hydrogeology Award is presented annually to a person who is a groundwater professional and has made outstanding contributions to the application of hydrogeology, particularly in developing countries or in support of international development efforts. The IAH was founded in 1956 and has a world-wide membership of more than 4 000 scientists, engineers, water managers and other professionals working in the fields of groundwater resource planning, management and protection.

Ritchie developed a wellfield to supply 4.5 ML/d of water needed to preserve timber damaged by the fire that swept through the Knysna area in June 2017.  The salvaged timber had to be stacked and kept saturated to preserve it until it could be processed in the local sawmills.  This was an important part of the economic recovery of the region after the devastating fire.  The wellfield comprised 8 production boreholes and was in place by September 2017.  It operated for 3.5 years until all the timber could be processed and has since been decommissioned.

With the support of his client, Ritchie’s mobilisation and management of other specialists ensured the wellfield could be successfully developed in quick time.  The project highlighted the application of sound scientific and hydrogeological principles to the significant benefit of his client, to the environment and the surrounding community.

 

Also find the formal publication SEDGEFIELD HYDROGEOLOGIST RECOGNIZED WITH INTERNATIONAL AWARD in the Knysna Plett HEROLD: https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/News/Article/General/sedgefield-hydrogeologist-recognized-with-international-award-202209210210

For more information about the project please see https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/keeping-a-wet-deck-hydrated-after-a-megafire/

wetdeck

 


The Ground Water Division recognise and celebrate both Mr Ritchie Morris of Morris Environmental & Groundwater Alliance (MEGA) and Dr Roger Parsons of Parsons & Associates Specialist Groundwater Consults , professional hydrogeologists and registered Professional Natural Scientists - and long-standing members of the Division - for this exceptional project and innovative contribution.