Groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region

The map “Groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region” captures and standardises existing groundwater data of West Africa and gives a consistent regional overview on the groundwater resources. It provides a quantitative assessment of aquifer productivity using a combination of aquifer flow type and expected borehole yield. The map highlights the suitability of aquifers for water supply on different scales while at the same time showing the physical limits of groundwater development. Map elaboration comprised the harmonisation of existing continental and regional geological maps and the attribution of hydrogeological units with expected yield data compiled from a literature meta-survey. Insert maps highlight the geological structure, geogenic background levels of arsenic and fluoride, and groundwater recharge.