Groundwater Study Services — SONGWECOM

Request for Expression of Interest

SADC-GMI and SONGWECOM signed a collaboration MOU in January 2024, whose core areas of collaboration include:

• The development and management of the groundwater resources of the Songwe River Basin.

• The undertaking of studies and research on the occurrence of groundwater resources within the Songwe River Basin.

• The development of groundwater projects to benefit the inhabitants of the Basin.

• Sharing experiences and good practices in the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources.

• The hosting and coordination of events to educate and share experiences on surface and groundwater issues with basin stakeholders.

• Jointly mobilise financial resources for joint initiatives in the areas of groundwater and surface water development and management.

Pursuant to the provisions of the MOU, SADC-GMI, in partnership with SONGWECOM, intends to conduct a hydrocensus in the Songwe River Basin.

• Objectives of the Assignment

The hydrocensus will identify and map existing boreholes and groundwater use in the Songwe River Basin.

• Scope of Work and Specific Tasks for the Assignment

In order to achieve the objective of the assignment, the specific tasks will be undertaken, which include but not be limited to:

• Update the high-level groundwater situational analysis report: The activity includes characterising and conceptualising the aquifer(s) in the Songwe River Basin through a document review.

• Source existing groundwater data: The activity includes sourcing data from various country databases.

• Conduct hydrocensus: Recognised field procedures and sampling protocols will be followed during the water level measurements and field analysis for selected physicochemical parameters. Provision must be made for forty (40) samples to be collected for hydrochemical analysis in the Songwe basin on an agreed spatial density with SADC-GMI. The hydrocensus should collect at least the following data:

•

• Borehole location data

• Any known BH identification / reference number from national, basin or water supply organization

• Boreholes use

• Groundwater levels

• Borehole abstractions and information on boreholes with water meters.

• Groundwater quality analysis in the field for selected physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), TDS, pH, DO, and Alkalinity at boreholes visited.

• Collection of 40 groundwater samples for chemical analysis (macro- and trace-constituents) and submission to an accredited laboratory

• Characterisation of current and potential sources of pollution and associated contaminants of concern.

• General conditions/status of boreholes and any issues of concern.

• Hydrocensus report: This task includes data recordings and analysis. This task will assess the data obtained from the various countries' databases and the hydrocensus. The groundwater data will be uploaded to the SADC-GMI Groundwater Information Portal. The analysis will also identify possible problem areas associated with groundwater and present mitigation options.

• Eligibility

This consultancy targets individual consultants with more than 8 years of proven experience conducting similar groundwater studies/assessments, which may include groundwater monitoring within the RBO contexts, preferably in the SADC region. The successful consultant must demonstrate experience in at least three projects undertaking hydrocensus activities

SADC-GMI and SONGWECOM signed a collaboration MOU in January 2024, whose core areas of collaboration include:

• The development and management of the groundwater resources of the Songwe River Basin.

• The undertaking of studies and research on the occurrence of groundwater resources within the Songwe River Basin.

• The development of groundwater projects to benefit the inhabitants of the Basin.

• Sharing experiences and good practices in the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources.

• The hosting and coordination of events to educate and share experiences on surface and groundwater issues with basin stakeholders.

• Jointly mobilise financial resources for joint initiatives in the areas of groundwater and surface water development and management.

Pursuant to the provisions of the MOU, SADC-GMI, in partnership with SONGWECOM, intends to conduct a hydrocensus in the Songwe River Basin.

• Objectives of the Assignment

The hydrocensus will identify and map existing boreholes and groundwater use in the Songwe River Basin.

• Scope of Work and Specific Tasks for the Assignment

In order to achieve the objective of the assignment, the specific tasks will be undertaken, which include but not be limited to:

• Update the high-level groundwater situational analysis report: The activity includes characterising and conceptualising the aquifer(s) in the Songwe River Basin through a document review.

• Source existing groundwater data: The activity includes sourcing data from various country databases.

• Conduct hydrocensus: Recognised field procedures and sampling protocols will be followed during the water level measurements and field analysis for selected physicochemical parameters. Provision must be made for forty (40) samples to be collected for hydrochemical analysis in the Songwe basin on an agreed spatial density with SADC-GMI. The hydrocensus should collect at least the following data:

•

• Borehole location data

• Any known BH identification / reference number from national, basin or water supply organization

• Boreholes use

• Groundwater levels

• Borehole abstractions and information on boreholes with water meters.

• Groundwater quality analysis in the field for selected physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), TDS, pH, DO, and Alkalinity at boreholes visited.

• Collection of 40 groundwater samples for chemical analysis (macro- and trace-constituents) and submission to an accredited laboratory

• Characterisation of current and potential sources of pollution and associated contaminants of concern.

• General conditions/status of boreholes and any issues of concern.

• Hydrocensus report: This task includes data recordings and analysis. This task will assess the data obtained from the various countries' databases and the hydrocensus. The groundwater data will be uploaded to the SADC-GMI Groundwater Information Portal. The analysis will also identify possible problem areas associated with groundwater and present mitigation options.

• Eligibility

This consultancy targets individual consultants with more than 8 years of proven experience conducting similar groundwater studies/assessments, which may include groundwater monitoring within the RBO contexts, preferably in the SADC region. The successful consultant must demonstrate experience in at least three projects undertaking hydrocensus activities

SADC-GMI and SONGWECOM signed a collaboration MOU in January 2024, whose core areas of collaboration include:

• The development and management of the groundwater resources of the Songwe River Basin.

• The undertaking of studies and research on the occurrence of groundwater resources within the Songwe River Basin.

• The development of groundwater projects to benefit the inhabitants of the Basin.

• Sharing experiences and good practices in the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources.

• The hosting and coordination of events to educate and share experiences on surface and groundwater issues with basin stakeholders.

• Jointly mobilise financial resources for joint initiatives in the areas of groundwater and surface water development and management.

Pursuant to the provisions of the MOU, SADC-GMI, in partnership with SONGWECOM, intends to conduct a hydrocensus in the Songwe River Basin.

• Objectives of the Assignment

The hydrocensus will identify and map existing boreholes and groundwater use in the Songwe River Basin.

• Scope of Work and Specific Tasks for the Assignment

In order to achieve the objective of the assignment, the specific tasks will be undertaken, which include but not be limited to:

• Update the high-level groundwater situational analysis report: The activity includes characterising and conceptualising the aquifer(s) in the Songwe River Basin through a document review.

• Source existing groundwater data: The activity includes sourcing data from various country databases.

• Conduct hydrocensus: Recognised field procedures and sampling protocols will be followed during the water level measurements and field analysis for selected physicochemical parameters. Provision must be made for forty (40) samples to be collected for hydrochemical analysis in the Songwe basin on an agreed spatial density with SADC-GMI. The hydrocensus should collect at least the following data:

•

• Borehole location data

• Any known BH identification / reference number from national, basin or water supply organization

• Boreholes use

• Groundwater levels

• Borehole abstractions and information on boreholes with water meters.

• Groundwater quality analysis in the field for selected physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), TDS, pH, DO, and Alkalinity at boreholes visited.

• Collection of 40 groundwater samples for chemical analysis (macro- and trace-constituents) and submission to an accredited laboratory

• Characterisation of current and potential sources of pollution and associated contaminants of concern.

• General conditions/status of boreholes and any issues of concern.

• Hydrocensus report: This task includes data recordings and analysis. This task will assess the data obtained from the various countries' databases and the hydrocensus. The groundwater data will be uploaded to the SADC-GMI Groundwater Information Portal. The analysis will also identify possible problem areas associated with groundwater and present mitigation options.

• Eligibility

This con