Guidelines to groundwater vulnerability mapping for Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

An approach to solving the challenges encountered in groundwater vulnerability assessment in Sub-Saharan African countries is discussed in this paper. The aim of this review is to highlight the gaps and difficulties encountered and provide guidelines for groundwater protection measures in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly countries without specific regulations and methodology of carrying out aquifer vulnerability assessments. Highlighted difficulties in groundwater vulnerability mapping in Sub-Saharan Africa include limited data, shortage of skilled professionals, inapplicability of most existing vulnerability methods and non-availability of funds. The numerical, travel time and parametric vulnerability approaches were recommended for use in sub-Saharan Africa based on the unique geomorphological features of the African continent. The goal of outlining the challenges and providing a guideline was to minimise the impact of groundwater pollution and to prioritise groundwater mapping in an aquifer protection assessment.