The IWAVE Project in Latin America in support of SDG 6: secure water for all in a sustainable way

Abstract

The IWAVE methodology of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to improve water availability and sustainability through comprehensive assessments of national water resources proposes to strengthen national capacities to collect, manage and interpret hydrological data and the use of advanced tools and techniques to improve the management of water resources. The IAEA carried out in Latin America the Project ARCAL RLA 7018 (2014-2017) “Improvement of knowledge of groundwater resources to contribute to its protection, integrated management and governance” using IWAVE. Based on the favourable results, the IAEA launched the second phase of IWAVE in the region, Project RLA 7024 (2018-2021) “Integration of isotope hydrology in national assessments of water resources”. The main results include: a) knowledge for decision-makers on the importance of sound hydrological information to improve the management of water resources; b) the establishment of isotope monitoring networks and the use of isotopic tools to improve conceptual hydrogeological models; c) the development of scenarios of climate change and their impact on water resources; d) new national hydrological databases; and e) the development/implementation of National Water agendas. Both projects have linked hydrological data with decision-making in support of the sustainable development goal (SDG) 6 “Safe water for all in a sustainable way”, in particular with SDG 6.5, which focuses on integrated water resource management.