In the face of increased water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, urbanisation, population growth and changes in land use and land cover, available water resources must be continually assessed and updated as per recognised estimation processes. Given the rapid changes, it is vital to be able to estimate resources availability and make future estimates based on available scientific data. The assessment of surface and groundwater resources generates knowledge at various planning scales (both spatial and temporal) necessary for informed, high-confidence decision-making by all water users. To support South Africa's economic development goals, including regional transboundary water-related socio-economic benefits, effective and efficient use of surface and ground water resources is required.

The CSIR focuses on acquiring and developing required data and decision-support-tools to enable comprehensive examination and integration of surface and groundwater systems. Successful integration requires data, software, hardware, simulation models, and assessment techniques to visualise and disseminate results, and impart science into smart water use management. Surface and groundwater modelling have traditionally been tackled separately, but for conjunctive use of water resources and long-term planning, an integrated modelling and holistic approach to water management is a logical and necessary step.  

Offerings

Hydrological decision-support systems

• Large repository of surface and groundwater hydrology related data to serve as support for decision-making
• Land/water use analysis and tools for improved land/water practices
• Application of big data analysis and techniques
• Application development for complex and multiple criteria decision-support systems

Catchment-wide surface and groundwater analysis     

• Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater
• Managed aquifer recharge and storage
• Rainwater harvesting
• Hydrological and hydrogeological monitoring networks, equipment and modelling

Water resource assessments  

• Measuring, collecting and analysing relevant parameters on the quantity of water resources for the purposes of its development and management
• Water use and crop coefficients database for deciduous fruit orchards and crops
• Planning and predictive tools for agricultural water management
• Verification and validation of water use

Capabilities

• Surface and groundwater hydrologists, specialising in:
   
  • Surface-water resource monitoring and assessment techniques
  • Hydrological modelling
  • Hydrogeological assessments and monitoring techniques
     
• Agricultural and forest water use measurement and modeling
• Water engineering
   

Infrastructure