The Groundwater Project

Overview

The Groundwater Project is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization dedicated to advancing education on groundwater by providing free, high-quality educational materials. Established in 2017, it aims to enhance global understanding and awareness of groundwater, addressing the global water crisis through education and technical assistance, particularly in developing regions[2][3].

Mission and Activities

The organization's mission is to make groundwater knowledge accessible to everyone worldwide. It achieves this by creating and distributing free educational materials across various readership levels, from children to professionals. The materials include children's books, introductory texts, overview books, and specialized texts for university-level studies and continuing education for groundwater professionals[3].

Leadership and Operations

The Groundwater Project is led by Dr. John Cherry, a recipient of the 2020 Stockholm Water Prize, who serves as the Project Leader and Chair of the Board of Directors. The organization relies on a small staff and a Board of Directors, supported by over 1,000 volunteers globally. These volunteers contribute as authors, reviewers, editors, and translators, enabling the publication of materials in multiple languages[2].

Global Impact

The Groundwater Project has distributed over 1.5 million free downloads and online reads, with content available to readers in 180 countries. It also collaborates with international organizations like IGRAC (International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre) to promote groundwater awareness and education globally[1][3].

Relevance to the Global Water Crisis

The global water crisis is increasingly recognized as a groundwater crisis, with groundwater constituting 99% of Earth's liquid fresh water. The project addresses this issue by promoting sustainable management and responsible use of groundwater, which is crucial for meeting the world's future water needs[1][4].