USGS officials visited Namibia and Botswana from September 10 to 27, 2024, as part of the U.S. Ambassador’s Water Experts Program to assess and address water security challenges in these drought-stricken nations. The discussions aimed at leveraging remote sensing technologies and improving hydrologic networks to enhance water management strategies in light of ongoing scarcity issues.
In September 2024, representatives from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a visit to Namibia and Botswana to evaluate water security issues as part of the U.S. Ambassador’s Water Experts Program (AWEP). This mission included USGS Science Advisor for International Water, John Lane, and USGS Hydrologic Networks Branch Chief, Molly Wood. The AWEP operates under the auspices of the Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program (DOI ITAP), backed by funding from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. During their visit, USGS scientists engaged with key stakeholders from the water sector in both nations, which encompassed governmental ministries, bulk water supply entities, municipal utility operators, multinational water commissions, private consultancies, and personnel from the U.S. Embassy. The discussions focused on the pressing water scarcity faced by Namibia and Botswana, both characterized by semi-arid to arid climates and currently experiencing severe drought conditions. The governments of Namibia and Botswana are actively seeking technical expertise to enhance their comprehension and optimization of existing water resources, particularly for drinking water supply, livestock needs, mining, and industrial purposes. The dialogue centered on the possible support that USGS could offer to local agencies, particularly in the following areas: utilizing remote sensing datasets to gain better insights into water availability, enhancing hydrologic monitoring networks to facilitate better access to hydrologic data for informed water resource management decisions, and collaboratively developing scientific strategies to improve the management of groundwater and surface water resources to mitigate the ongoing drought conditions.
The water security challenges faced by Namibia and Botswana are critical, given their semi-arid to arid climates, which result in limited water resources. The countries are grappling with severe droughts which have significantly strained their drinking water supplies as well as water availability for agricultural and industrial purposes. To address these challenges, partnerships with organizations like the USGS, which specialize in hydrology and water resource management, are essential. This visit aimed to establish a collaborative framework for understanding and improving water resource management, leveraging technology such as remote sensing to inform better decision-making.
In summary, the USGS visit to Namibia and Botswana underscores the urgent need for collaborative international efforts to address water security challenges exacerbated by severe droughts in these countries. By focusing on enhancing technical capacities and better understanding water resources, there is potential for local agencies to significantly improve their water management practices, ensuring sustainable resource availability for the future.
Original Source: www.usgs.gov
