Group Training Series China: Ground Water Development in Northwest China

To strengthen the capacity of the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) and the China University of Geosciences (CUG), through training researchers and trainers (ToT) in innovative technologies for groundwater exploration and exploitation in large arid inland basins.

Socio-economic developments in Northwest China are a top priority for the Government of China. The availability of fresh water is, however, a serious limiting factor in this arid region. MLR is in charge of developing plans for sustainable groundwater exploration and exploitation in the region.

This requires modern technologies and approaches to carry out successful investigations. The project focuses on establishing an indigenous training capacity at CUG in Beijing.

The long-term objective was to contribute to the socio-economic development of Northwest China by maximising the availability of renewable water resources. Immediate objectives include:

• to establish an indigenous training capacity in sustainable exploration and exploitation of groundwater resources at the CUG.
• to train MLR staff in the above course so as to enable them to conceive environmentally sound plans for the sustainable development of water resources in Northwest China.

Experts at MLR and CUG were exposed to water management approaches in the Netherlands, groundwater exploration techniques, and planning methodologies. Methodologies and strategies for sustainable groundwater development in NW China were identified and developed.

IHE and TNO-NITG conducted a research and development programme, and an intensive training of trainers (ToT) programme for MLR and CUG staff.

Activities:

Selection of candidates by IHE and MLR/CUG for the training of researchers and lecturers in The Netherlands.

• An English course was carried out in China for selected candidates.
• 5-months research by a multidisciplinary group of experts from MLR to inventory best practices in the application of techniques and strategies for groundwater resources development, each in their respective field of expertise.
• 5-months ToT for twelve staff of CUG in The Netherlands. The research served as input to the curriculum design. Course materials were developed. A relevant case study (based on the actual problems of groundwater exploration/exploitation in Northwest China) was worked-out.
• 2 specialist training courses held in China for MLR staff (2 x 30 experts), conducted jointly by the trained CUG staff and experts from the Netherlands.

Outputs:

The courses and training delivered to MLR and CUG were fully transferred and will be repeated by the CUG in the coming years.

• A curriculum for a specialist training course on groundwater development in NW China was developed and training materials (lecture notes, exercises and workshops) were prepared.
• 5 trained researchers from MLR in the development of new techniques and methodologies in groundwater exploration and management in large inland basins.
• 12 trainers trained in conducting courses in advanced groundwater exploration techniques and sustainable exploitation strategies.
• 60 trained hydrogeologists trained in improvement of water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial use in Northwest China.
• A modern curriculum for training in groundwater exploration and management in large inland basins, offered at and by the CUG.
• A multidisciplinary training and case demonstration on groundwater exploration was carried out.
• Publication on Strategies and Techniques in Groundwater Development in NW China was produced.