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Toward the Sustainable Use of Groundwater Springs: A Case Study from Namibia

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  • Fanny Soetaert

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC), UMR 5805, University of Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France)

  • Heike Wanke

    (Faculty of Environment and Technology, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK)

  • Alain Dupuy

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC), UMR 5805, University of Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France)

  • Vanessa Lusuekikio

    (Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Windhoek 13301, Namibia)

  • Eric C. Gaucher

    (Institute of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Vincent Bordmann

    (TotalEnergies, 75015 Paris, France)

  • Jean-Marc Fleury

    (TotalEnergies, 75015 Paris, France)

  • Michel Franceschi

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC), UMR 5805, University of Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France)

Abstract

The water supply in drylands mainly relies on groundwater, making it a crucial resource. Springs in southern Africa are often underutilized, and are neither protected nor monitored. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate their quality in a sample area in northwestern Namibia and to propose solutions for the sustainable use of springs. In total, 35 springs and hot springs were evaluated in the study area located in the drier part of Namibia (P mean = 150–400 mm/year), an area highly impacted by ongoing climate change with longer and more frequent drought seasons. The springs there are mostly uncaptured and the discharge is in the form of surface runoff, which is mainly lost to the atmosphere by evaporation. Most of the studied springs were perennial, despite a severe drought period. Local communities rely on the springs mainly for livestock and human consumption, as well as for irrigation. However, 71% of the springs do not have any protective measures. The temperature, pH, conductivity and alkalinity were tested in situ. In total, 20 samples were collected and analyzed for major ions (boron, fluoride, silica and strontium) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The physical and inorganic results mostly indicated good and excellent quality water for human consumption, while the hot springs tended to have poor water quality in terms of Namibian standards, indicating that the water was not fit for human consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanny Soetaert & Heike Wanke & Alain Dupuy & Vanessa Lusuekikio & Eric C. Gaucher & Vincent Bordmann & Jean-Marc Fleury & Michel Franceschi, 2022. "Toward the Sustainable Use of Groundwater Springs: A Case Study from Namibia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3995-:d:781682
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Józef Ober & Janusz Karwot & Serhii Rusakov, 2022. "Tap Water Quality and Habits of Its Use: A Comparative Analysis in Poland and Ukraine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-29, January.
    2. Józef Ober & Janusz Karwot, 2021. "Tap Water Quality: Seasonal User Surveys in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
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    1. Markus Shiweda & Fillipus Shivute & Ana Raquel Sales & Mário J. Pereira, 2023. "Climate Change and Anthropogenic Factors Are Influencing the Loss of Habitats and Emerging Human–Elephant Conflict in the Namib Desert," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-23, August.

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