The document outlines the Guaraní Aquifer System Project, which aims to foster cooperation between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in managing the shared Guaraní Aquifer. It discusses the project organization and national execution units. It also summarizes progress made in developing a hydrogeological database, monitoring network, pilot projects, and efforts to incorporate social aspects like education and communication. The overall goals are to develop a common understanding of the aquifer and quantitative resources to enable shared and sustainable management.

1. Local actions of the
Guaraní Aquifer System
Project
FORO MUNDIAL DEL AGUA
MEXICO 2006
MEXICO, 16 AL 22 DE MARZO
GEF / Banco Mundial / OEA
Elena Benitez, Directora General
RH, Secretaria del Ambiente
CN-PARAGUAY

2. Project - Documents
Conceptual
Document
Presentation:
Expression of
interest by the
countries to the
WB and fund
requirements
for the
preparation
stage
PAD /
Project Brief
Document
Submission:
the project brief
document
PAD Approvement:
Steering committee, GEF
Council and Chief
Executive Officer
PIP
EXECUTION Stage
Negotiations
and
approvement
by the
countries:
Signing of
contract.
POPs
PREPARATION Stage

3. GAS Project Organization
Donors and
Cooperating
Agencies
Project
Steering
Committee
GEF
World Bank
Coordination Group
General Secretariat
Executing Agency (OAS)
National Project
Execution Unit
Argentina
National Project
Execution Unit
Brazil
National Project
Execution Unit
Paraguay
National Project
Execution Unit
Uruguay
Institutional Implementation
Setting up of Preparation Committee (2000 to 2002) and Steering Committee (2003 to
present) with participation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of Environment and of Water
Resources (Project Responsible Agencies) of each country;
Setting up of National Project Preparation Units (2000 to 2002) and Execution Unions (2003
to present); UNEP-CC

4. Water consumption per country in 2025
and in relation to the recharge (estimated)
Argentina 0,9
Brasil 11,0
Paraguay 0,4
Uruguay 0,2
Argentina
Brasil
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Brasil
Paraguay
Uruguay
Recarga Bajo un supuesto de abastecimiento
exclusivo con el SAG
Km3

5. Operative Areas North and South
AREA I, includes:
• In Brazil, areas of GAS located in
the states of São Paulo, Minas
Gerais, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato
Grosso do Sul and Paraná;
• Pilot Project Ribeirão Preto
AREA II, includes:
• In Brazil, areas of GAS located in the
states of Santa Catarina y Rio Grande
do Sul;
• Part of Argentina, Paraguay and
Uruguay territories.
• Pilot Project Rivera/Santana
• Pilot Project Concordia/Salto
• Pilot Project Itapúa - Paraguay

6. Pilot Project Ribeirão Preto – Brazil
INTENSIVE GROUNDWATER USE
IN AN URBAN AREA

7. Pilot Project Rivera/Santana do Livramento
GOUNDWATER POLLUTION

8. Pilot Project Concordia / Salto
TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT of
THERMAL WATERS

9. Pilot Project Itapúa – Paraguay
AGRICULTURE
WATER, SOIL and
VEGETATION

10. Federal Institute
for Geosciences and
Natural Resources
SAG PY
Sustainable Use of the Guaraní Aquífer System
Area = 71 700 km²
- 18 % of Paraguay surface
- 100 % of Guaraní aquifer in Paraguay
- 6 % of whole Guaraní aquifer

11. Asunción

12. Montevideo

13. General Project Progress
• BIDDINGS
– Consolidation and evaluation of the Acquisition Plan by the World Bank;
– “Base Map”
– and “General Hydrogeology”;
– Biddings for the North and South Areas
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT
– Setting of an information system for project management, on-going 2004
• NATIONAL COMPENSATIONS
– Terms of reference, first results
• UNIVERSITY FUNDS
- Results of approved project executions (9) by end of Oct. 2005
• GUARANÍ CITIZEN FUND
– 22 proposals awarded aimed to broadcasting, communication and environmental
education
• PROJECT BROADCASTING
– Elaboration of broadcasting material (video and leaflets); hiring of a social
communicator

14. Main Regional Impacts
 The Guaraní Aquifer Project is included in the region’s Schedule (presidential
declarations);
 Compilation of the Declaration of Guaraní Initial Framework, Steering
Committee;
 Important members support (IAEA, BGR);
 Set up of Local Coordination Committees for the transboundary Pilot Projects;
 Academic Institutions involved (17) in improvement of basic knowledge –
Universities Fund; youth interested in investigations
 Example for the management of other transboundary aquifers and for
integrated management of water resources;
 Preventive actions for management of Guaraní publicly broadcasted (Guaraní
Citizen Fund, 24 proposals);
 Press interested in GAS and society impact!

15. Visualization and Interaction of SAG with
the other Plata Basin Projects
HYDROGEOLOGICAL DATABASE
Structure and codification referred to the thematic information will be defined
(geology, geophysics, hydrochemistry, isotopes, drilling, water use, others).
To estimate values of recharge and probable discharge, a regional balance
for the whole area is foreseen.
MONITORING NET
Operating in all 4 countries. It is assumed that periodic data will be gathered
from some 180 wells. Starting with a net design, its implementation and the
final submission to the countries is foreseen.
BASIC HYDROGEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Possible hydraulic connections with other aquifers and superficial hydraulic
systems will be determined at regional scale.
REGIONAL HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAP OF GAS
In a 1:3,000,000 scale with information at a 1:250,000 scale. Integration of
various specific information layers and thematic maps more detailed. In
digital format and integrated in the SISAG.

16. Visualization and Interaction of SAG with
the other Plata Basin Projects
CONCEPTUAL AND NUMERICAL MODEL OF GAS
First conceptual model. Includes the geological structures, calibration and
validation of the model. First results in Paraguay.
POTENTIAL OF THERMAL AND NON-THERMAL RESOURCES
Evaluates vulnerability and contamination risks in the pilot areas and at regional
scale. Additionally, the analysis of technological-social-economical trends of use
and their distributions on the GAS.
SOCIAL ASPECTS
Environmental education, social communication and broadcasting of various
environmental and hydraulic aspects. Encouragement of public participation.
PILOT PROJECTS
Management experiences in areas with potential conflicts regarding use of water
resources and soil.

17. Essentials of the Project
 Groundwater management requires a strong cross
interaction and cooperation between national and sub
national governments.
 Management of transboundary groundwater is complex:
difficulties in visualizing common aspects, different legal
and institutional frameworks, international sensibilities and
different social visions;
 Strategic communication has been practiced from the very
start of project preparation.
Commonly shared knowledge
forms the base for quantified
groundwater resources
to be shared and protected
commonly.

18. FORO MUNDIAL DEL AGUA
MEXICO 2006
MEXICO DEL 16 AL 22 DE MARZO
http://www.sg-guarani.org/
http://www.sag-py.org/