Sustainable groundwater use, the capture principle, and adaptive management

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Date

2006

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Water Research Commission

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review the case for using ‘capture’ rather than recharge as the conceptual basis for sustainable groundwater use in South Africa. Capture refers to the sum of the increase in recharge and decrease in discharge brought about by pumping. Definitions of sustainability are reviewed, and the capture process is outlined. Implications for using the capture principle in the implementation of the NWA are discussed, and adaptive management is proposed as an appropriate management approach. Implications for groundwater monitoring are also discussed. Case studies are described that support the need for adaptive management and the application of the capture principle

Description

Keywords

Groundwater, Capture, Sustainability, Safe yield, Recharge, Adaptive management, Monitoring

Citation

Seward, P., et al. (2006). Sustainable groundwater use, the capture principle, and adaptive management. Water SA, 32(4): 473-482