Groundwater Resource Directed Measures (GRDM) methodology update, software enhancements and training

Abstract

Groundwater plays a crucial role in South Africa’s water security, supporting ecosystems, agriculture, and human consumption. To ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) initiated a research study in 2007 to develop methods for assessing the groundwater component of Resource Directed Measures (RDM). This project, funded by the DWS and implemented by the Water Research Commission (WRC), resulted in the first version of the Groundwater Resource Directed Measures (GRDM) methodology and software. Subsequent applications of the methodology identified critical gaps, such as challenges in scaling assessments from regional to local levels, issues with quaternary catchment delineation, and limitations in addressing groundwatersurface water interactions. To address these gaps, a follow-up project was launched in 2011, leading to a revised GRDM methodology and updated software, which was completed in 2013.

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