News and Stories

Feature.Mar 24, 2022

Communication and collaboration to protect groundwater

Three organisations: SIWI, Sydvatten and the Geological Survey of Sweden came together for World Water Day to talk about groundwater, an invisible resource whose impact is visible everywhere. SIWI’s youth focal point Georgette Mrakadeh-Keane offered closing remarks and here shares her reflections on the day and how groundwater affects us all, whether we realise or not.

News.Mar 22, 2022

World Water Development Report with focus on groundwater

The 2022 UN World Water Development Report sheds new light on the world’s most forgotten freshwater – the groundwater hidden under our feet. SIWI’s Dr Jenny Grönwall is one of the experts contributing to the report and here she shares some of the most important insights.

Feature.Mar 17, 2022

World Water Day 2022: Groundwater and water-related human rights

In 2022, the water community highlights groundwater to make it more visible. It provides half of all water withdrawn for domestic use and therefore vital to realise the human right to safe drinking water. However, as this resource – and the households and communities relying on wells and boreholes – are not sufficiently understood, we tend not to recognize the worth of groundwater as we should.

News.Mar 11, 2022

Groundwater crises threaten the poor in India

India is home to 17% of the global population but only 4% of its water resources. India is facing a groundwater crisis that could be much worse than initially understood.

News.Mar 7, 2022

International cooperation safeguards water for Djibouti

A new report from the International Centre for Water Cooperation, hosted by SIWI, finds that this site may be part of a transboundary aquifer – the Afar Rift Valley/Afar Triangle Aquifer.

Feature.Feb 28, 2022

5 ways governments can protect groundwater

With the current approach to groundwater, the world is headed for disaster, according to Dr. John Cherry. Here are five actions governments should take to reverse the trend.

News.Feb 28, 2022

Funding, justice, and water can help us adapt to climate change

The new IPCC report warns that the window is rapidly closing for life on Earth as we know it. But the scientists have identified adaptation strategies that work, with water management at the centre. By focusing more on solutions that strengthen nature and foster social inclusion, we can still save our societies.

News.Feb 28, 2022

Turn the tide on plastics – from source to sea

Pollution and marine litter are high on the agenda when the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) convenes on 28 February. Could this mark a turning point in the fight against marine plastics? Maybe, but only if the world starts focusing on the wave of pollution from rivers and land. Applying the source-to-sea approach could be a big part of the solution.

Feature.Feb 24, 2022

More trees can boost groundwater recharge

More trees can mean more water. It depends on where and how – this is the nuanced picture painted by recent research. Trees can boost groundwater recharge in areas at risk of water scarcity such as African tropical drylands.

Feature.Feb 24, 2022

Governing the invisible: Putting groundwater centre-stage

Feature.Feb 24, 2022

7 ways to make groundwater visible

Groundwater – making the invisible visible is the theme for World Water Day 2022. Dr Jenny Grönwall of SIWI discusses 7 ways to make groundwater more visible.

News.Jan 21, 2022

Water can reduce global risks

Most forecasts for 2022 show how governments and businesses are growing increasingly worried about environmental risks. But few people seem to realize how better water policies could effectively mitigate many of the most severe threats.

News.Jan 20, 2022

Water is essential in the fight against antimicrobial resistance

Responsible manufacturing of pharmaceuticals along with the provision of water and sanitation services are key to reducing the spread and impact of antimicrobial resistance.

Feature.Dec 21, 2021

2022: the year to elevate the value of water

As 2021 draws to a close, we look back on a year when we have, perhaps more clearly than ever, witnessed the devastating effects of the global water crisis.