Monitoring, modelling, and protecting our precious groundwater

Associate professor of hydrogeology in the Geology Department, Dr. Joanna Doummar, explains the existing stresses on the limited and erratic quantities of groundwater reserves in Lebanon, which is the main source of fresh water for most countries in the region. By monitoring flows of water into complex underground aquifers, she models the operations of entire water catchment areas and springs that will also be impacted by population growth and climate change. Quality of water is also constantly monitored, which allows her and her colleagues to develop early warning systems and models to catch problems before they get out of control.