NOEVA: HydroGeophysics in Benin's coastal zone - Aqua for All

NOEVA: HydroGeophysics in Coastal zone of Benin

Cotonou, Benin

The concept

The NOEVA project aimed at gathering improved knowledge of groundwater resources for coastal cities in Benin. This leads to better and more sustainable usage of water.

 

Countries:

Benin

Theme:

Drinking water, Water resources management

Duration:

2017 - 2019

Total value:

€422,282

Investors so far:

INE-UAC Benin, IRD/IGE, VIA Water

Program Partners:

Aqua for All

Website:

About the initiative

The project NOEVA (Nouvelle approche pour l’eau des Villes Africaines) use of complementary geophysics to increase knowledge of the groundwater resources in Benin.

This cost-effective approach also helps building capacity of the stakeholders responsible for local water resources management.

The goal was to develop a new approach to manage and sustainably consume groundwater resources by populations living in African coastal cities.

 

Key outcomes

Groundwater storage

The first estimation showed that the groundwater volume of the Mio-Pliocene aquifer in Benin can supply the entire population of the Greater-Cotonou (about 1.5 million people) with 100 litres per day per capita for more than a century.

Cost-reduction

A borehole and a 3-day pumping test cost about eight times more than a geophysical survey.

Improved WRM

The geophysical devices provided an accurate estimate of the Mio-Pliocene aquifer’s geometry.