Simple methods for assessing groundwater resources in low permeability areas of Africa

In many areas throughout Africa, a staggering proportion of wells and boreholes fail. Failure can occur for a number of reasons – inadequate maintenance and community involvement, poor engineering or a lack of water. Often it can be difficult to work out the exact reason after the event. However, in many geological environments the impacts of poorly sited and designed boreholes and wells are a major concern to funding agencies, implementing institutions and local communities. In such areas, good supplies of groundwater cannot be found everywhere, and boreholes and wells must be sited and designed carefully to make use of the available groundwater. To appropriately site and design water sources, the groundwater resources of an area need first to be investigated to understand how water occurs in the ground. In this manual we present some techniques that allow a quick assessment of groundwater resources without requiring much expertise or expense. Some of the techniques are old and established while others are new. However, all techniques have been tested by BGS (and others) in assessing groundwater resources in Africa. This manual does not claim to be a detailed textbook for hydrogeologists – there are enough already (see reading list at the end of the chapter). Rather it is meant as a practicalaid for those involved in the practice of rural water supply, particularly in Africa. Little training or equipment is required for the tests and they can all be carried out in a short space of time. The manual is divided into six sections. The first gives an overview of the groundwater resources of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and discusses the scope and detail of investigations required in different geological environments. The remaining chapters describe simple techniques for assessing groundwater resources, from basic reconnaissance to assessing the yield of a borehole. In the appendix are summary sheets of the most common techniques which can be photocopied and used in the field

UNICEF IWASH Project, Northern Region, Ghana : an adapted training manual for groundwater development

This report is an adapted training manual, with specific best practice recommendations for groundwater development practitioners working in the Northern Region, Ghana. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the existing comprehensive training manual ‘Developing Groundwater: a guide to rural water supply’ by MacDonald, Davies, Calow and Chilton (2005). The additional guidelines provided in this supplementary report are specific to the Northern Region of Ghana, and have been informed by a review of groundwater development in the region which BGS carried out on behalf of UNICEF in 2010-2011. The Northern Region is a difficult area in which to find and develop groundwater resources. For this reason, more resources – time and money – need to be focussed on careful borehole siting and development in order to maximise success. This includes detailed desk and field reconnaissance surveys; the effective use and interpretation of geophysical siting methods; collection of good quality data during drilling and test pumping; rigorous recording and management of data; and effective interpretation, sharing and use of hydrogeological information by all groundwater development practitioners. This report, and the associated manual ‘Developing Groundwater’, provide practical help for carrying out these activities effectively. The authors gratefully acknowledge those persons who contributed to the formation of these guidelines, who include: UNICEF Ghana – Othniel Habila, Kabuka Banda and David Ede Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Ghana – John Aduakye Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – Hydrogeological Assessment Project (HAP) – James Racicot All participants at the UNICEF/BGS workshop and training programme held in Tamale, Northern Region, from 7 to 18 February 2011

BGS Consultancy : UNICEF IWASH project, Northern Ghana : visit report 25/10-5/11/2010

BGS have been commissioned to investigate the low drilling success rates encountered by the UNICEF IWASH programme in the Northern region of Ghana. The work is split into three phases: (1) situation analysis and information collation on current methods of groundwater development; (2) the development of a preliminary groundwater development map and suggestions for improving siting methods; and (3) a workshop and training course on groundwater development in N region. The project started on October 15th 2010 and is scheduled to finish by February 28th, 2011. Phase 1 involves a visit to Ghana, Phase 2 will occur mainly in the UK; and Phase 3 is scheduled to take place in Ghana during February 2011. This short note reports on the data collection visit 25th October – 5th November 2010. An itinerary, list of contacts and summary of data collected is given in the Appendices

Recent important strategies in the management of chronic kidney disease

The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considerably higher in low- and middle-income countries, which are less able than the developed world to cope with treating advanced renal failure owing to financial constraints. Prevention, early diagnosis and implementation of existing knowledge can improve outcomes. This review presents several recent advances to assist with avoiding and slowing down CKD progression and reducing common comorbid complications. The following are discussed: the possible use of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes-related CKD; recent inexpensive important developments in the treatment of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease; prevention of acidosis and the early dietary reduction of red meat consumption; and the therapeutic lowering of uric acid in persistent hyperuricaemia. Finally, an active and monitored exercise programme should be undertaken whenever possible. All of these recommendations have been shown to significantly slow the progression of CKD and increase cardiovascular protection

Raised cortisol excretion rate in urine and contamination by topical steroids

No abstract available

Developing groundwater for rural water supply in Nigeria : a report of the May 2005 training course and summary of groundwater issues in the eight focus states

The British Geological Survey was commissioned to strengthen the capacity of the rural water supply and sanitation agencies in eight states in Nigeria to undertake groundwater resource evaluation and development. These states (Jigawa, Benue, Enugu, Eketi, Zamfara, Kwara, Borno and Ebonyi)are the focus of a current FGN/UNICEF WES Project, supported by DFID. The opportunity was also taken to assess the hydrogeological issues facing the eight states and to suggest ways to help meet this need