Czech-Ethiopian project

Closing the joint Czech-Ethiopian project in the Jemma River basin

The final report of the joint Czech-Ethiopian project was delivered during closing workshop by H.E. Chargé d´Affaires a.i. Mgr. Jana Korbelova to Director General of the Geological Survey of Ethiopia Mr. Tolesa Shagi. The workshop was organized on 12^th of November at the Ministry of Mines and Energy supervising the activity of the GSE under aegis of the State Minister H.E. Sinknesh Ejigu. Presentation of study results clearly confirm importance of the work for future development of the area and for food security of population living within the Jemma basin.

The project entitled “Water Resources Management and Environmental Protection Studies of the Jemma River Basin for Improved Food Security“ (cost 6.027 mil CZK and 1.5 mil Birr matching funds) was launched in 2006. A joint team of Ethiopian and Czech hydrogeologist was established for the project performance in which the participation of the Czech hydrogeologists was financed by the program of the Czech Development Assistance and the participation of Ethiopian geologists was financed by the Ethiopian state budget. The project represents the most complex study including not only mapping of water resources but also an expression of environmental aspects and recommendation for sustainable development and use of natural and human resources of the Jemma basin. The printed study is accompanied by a CD with a set of maps in digital form. The results are presented in a form that allows their dissemination over the Internet and that enhances the potential number of users from hundred to “millions”. A group of Ethiopian professionals was trained in methods of engineering geology, assessment of geological risks, remote sensing and assessment of groundwater resources. Equipment for engineering geology mapping and data assessment was bought in the framework of the project (e.g. PC, field testers).

The project in the Jemma basin confirmed long-term expectations but never in such a scale that the Ethiopian plateau provides aquifers with high potential of groundwater. Fissures in volcanic rocks accumulate and transmit a substantial volume of groundwater infiltrated from rainfall. It is true that the plateau represent only 50 % of the area because the rest of the basin is formed by deep canyons of the Jemma River and its tributaries. Despite these unconformable morphological conditions the dynamic groundwater resources of the plateau were assessed to be 85Mm³ and can supply about 10 million inhabitants with safe drinking water. A large volume of surface water can be used for irrigation and small scale electric energy generation schemes. The irrigation was assessed to be enough for 226700 ha which represents about 30 % of the arable land on the plateau. It is clear that the plateau of the Jemma basin can be an important strategic source of drinking water for nearby Addis Ababa when resources are soundly developed. The area can also represent important food production and help in food security in times of drought which recurrently strikes this part of the plateau area.

The project in the Jemma basin is not a solitary project, but it follows the long-term period of joint cooperation with Ethiopian hydrogeologists. This cooperation systematically started in the 1980s. Political changes in both countries led to interruption in the cooperation. The cooperation began again in 2001 when a Memorandum of Understanding for groundwater resources assessment and mapping was signed by representatives of the respective governments. Long-term cooperation also reflects developments in the art of compilation of hydrogeological maps. In the early 1980s maps were produced by color ing blue prints in by hand using colored pencils. The report was copied using a stencil duplicator. It was possible to make about 5 to 7 copies which were deposited in the library of the GSE. A new methodological guideline, respecting the state-of-the-art, for compilation of hydrogeological maps was prepared in 2001. The method was implemented for compilation of maps during the project entitled “Hydrogeological Study of the Western Lowlands and Adjacent Highlands of Ethiopia” (cost 5.6 mil. CZK and 750000 Birr matching funds). Two hundred copies of the resulting maps covering about 75000km² were printed in the Czech Republic and distributed by GSE to stakeholders in the mapped regions. Maps are used by different groundwater development organizations for selection of drilling sites contributing to the successfulness of the well drilling. A decreasing number of unsuccessful wells represents a significant financial saving for drilling organizations and provides the possibility to satisfy more people with safe groundwater supply. A group of Ethiopian professionals was trained in methods of mapping and using new modern field and office equipment bought in the framework of the project (e.g. PC, plotter, GPS, water quality field testers).

During joint projects groups of Ethiopian professionals were trained in hydrogeological and engineering geology mapping and field characterization, assessment of groundwater resources and natural risk, as well as remote sensing. Part of the trained Ethiopian professionals continues in mapping of other Ethiopian territories (Gondar, Harar, Addis Ababa) and the mapping will continue in the future. The maps compiled by the joint Ethio-Czech project represent the largest systematic hydrogeological and engineering geological mapping to be carried out on the Ethiopian territory to-date. Maps cover an area larger than 100000 km² and the results play an important role in the daily life of Ethiopians living in these territories. Ethiopia is one of the most populated countries in Africa but safe water supply is not available to the majority. Insufficient water resources are the most serious problem particularly in the arid lowlands but it also occurs in the highlands particularly in areas stricken by recurrent drought. Women and children are usually responsible for family water supply in rural areas which represents a physically demanding and time consuming activity. We are convinced that each project that can contribute to the improvement of life of the Ethiopian population is important and we think that women and children can spend the acquired time more enjoyably than fetching heavy water containers.

Hydrogeological investigation is important particularly in areas stricken by recurrent drought where groundwater resources can effectively contribute to surface water resources. Groundwater resources assessment was carried on a national as well as regional level in the Ethiopian territory but comprehensive hydrogeological assessment is still missing. The idea to map and assess groundwater resources takes into account the fact that the development and protection of groundwater resources is only possible if we know the character of these resources and their quantity and quality are described in full detail. This idea is also followed by our projects. These projects are relatively small on the one hand but on the other hand training of 25 Ethiopian professionals and mapping of 1/10 of the Ethiopian territory is no minor achievement. We hope that our cooperation will continue in the future because we think that we have had a considerable number of positive as well as not so positive experiences in the protection of the environment and in the development and protection of drinking, mineral and thermal water which represent the cultural and natural heritage of each nation.