1. Free Software as a tool to optimize groundwater data management- Phuti Mabotja, Eelco Lukas, Modreck Gomo, Geert-Jan Nijsten and Arnaud Sterckx

2. Outline Introduction Methodology Discussion Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Reference

3. Introduction Efficient exploitation of water resources
Importance of groundwater
Dependency on groundwater to increase
Efficient data collection and management in groundwater
Importance of software in data management
Focus of the talk
Free and open source software (FOSS)
Efficient exploitation and sustainable management of Water resources to meet current and future needs will require optimal usage of surface and groundwater
With most of the surface water resources already being allocated, one cannot emphasize enough the importance of groundwater resource to address the current water challenges. Especially in areas that have little to no surface water resources
Dependency on groundwater to increase
Socio-economic challenges linked with the ever increasing human population size
Due to increased variability in climatic conditions as result of global warming
Groundwater management remains a work in progress
Data collection and data management remains the key areas of concern in Groundwater science
The talk focusses more; on how data management can be improved in a cost-effective manner as we all know that data management tools don’t come cheap
Software programs play a vital role in managing GW data
Free and open source software (FOSS) have great potential
Full access and modification of source code,
Redistribute of the software,
No restrictions
But should also be used with caution

4. Methodology Developers Security Functionality
Support and documentations
Usability and scalability
Performance and reliability
Maintenance
Flexibility
Functionality
What does the program do or offer? Features
Are functionalities of the program aligned with the project
Support and documentations
Basic support material for users
Online support, User forums
Maintenance
Program updates and maintenance
Performance and reliability
How well does the program perform regularly
Usability and scalability
How easy it is to learn and use the program
The size of data the program is capable to handle
Security
Security threats or malware
Flexibility
How well adapted a program can be to address unfamiliar situation

5. FREE SOFTWARE
FC METHOD
WISH*
MLU
MODFLOW + RELATED
PROGRAMS
MICROFEM
QGIS
PHREEQC
Open Source X
Aquifer Testing
Pumping Tests
(Constant Rate, Step Drawdown) X 
Slug Test
Groundwater Quality and Quantity
Water Quality
Spec. Chemical Diagrams  X
Water Balance
Surface & Ground-Water Flow
Ground-Water
Modelling
Groundwater Flow
Solute Transport
Time Series Analysis
Statistics
Spatial Analysis
Contours and Mapping
Hydrogeological Logs
Peer Reviewed
Version with Limited Capabilities
Support
Online / Support
User’s Guide
Training
Tutorials
Regular Updates
Methodology
Table summarizes free software programs covered in this presentation
Highlighting some of the key features of the Programs

6. FC-Method Developed By: Prof Van Tonder, Dr Gomo and Mr De Lange
Flow Characteristic Method
Developed By:
Prof Van Tonder, Dr Gomo and Mr De Lange
Download FC-Method

7. FC (Flow Characteristic)- Method
Single platform: Different analytical methods
FC Method can be used for
Pump test analysis
Slug test analysis
Chemistry of water samples
MS Excel–based program
Various analytical tools integrated on a single platform
Pump tests are NB for estimation of Sustainable yield of a borehole

8. FC Method
Example of application of FC method: analysis of Step drawdown test

9. Multi-Layer Unsteady-state
MLU Lite
Multi-Layer Unsteady-state
Developed By
Dr C.J. Hemker

10. MLU Lite Uses single user interface to analyse:
Recovery tests,
Variable discharge tests,
Step-drawdown tests,
Slug tests
Quick estimation of aquifer properties
MLU Lite is limited
MLU was initially only developed as a commercial software, until MLU lite was introduced
MLU Lite has limited capabilities: restricted to 2 aquifers and 2 wells per analysis
MLU produce transient contour plots
Quick estimation of aquifer properties such transmissivity, storativity

11. Microcomputer Finite-element Method
MicroFEM Lite
Microcomputer Finite-element Method
Developed by
Dr C.J. Hemker

12. MicroFEM Lite MicroFEM is a finite-element model code
Key modelling features:
Saturated density flow
Multiple aquifer systems and stratified aquifers
Confined, leaky and unconfined conditions
Heterogeneous aquifers and aquitards
Steady-state and transient flow
Limited
Lite version limited to 2 aquifers and 2500 nodes per layer
Used for multiple-aquifer saturated groundwater modelling

13. MicroFEM Lite

14. MODFLOW https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/modflow/
Modular finite-difference flow model
Initiated by USGS

15. MODFLOW 3D finite-difference groundwater modelling
MODFLOW stood the test of time
MODFLOW modules can be used to do
Solute transport
Heat transfer
Variable-density flow (including saltwater)
Unsaturated flow
Coupled groundwater/surface-water systems
Groundwater modelling provides a simplified representation of a local or regional groundwater flow system

16. MODFLOW
Groundwater modelling provides a simplified representation of a local or regional groundwater flow system

17. Quantum Geographic Information System
QGIS
Quantum Geographic Information System
Developed by:
QGIS Development Team

18. QGIS Geographic Information System tool Competitive GIS software
Free Open source software, highly competitive GIS program
Uses plugins
QGIS used to visualize, edit, process, interrogate and analyse geospatial data
Competitive and Handy GIS tool, on Par with commercial GIS software
Due to fact that its FOSS, QGIS enhances its features through plugins
QGIS is compatible with ArcMap files

19. QGIS

20. FREEWAT
FREE & open source software tools for WATer resource management
Developed by Dr R Rossetto et al.

21. FREEWAT Relatively new project Plugin
QGIS integrated modelling platform
Tools
Analysis,
Interpretation and
Visualization of hydrogeological and hydro-chemical data
QGIS plugin
Mapping spatial location of water resources (surface and groundwater) and visualize the spatial relationships in relation to other factors

22. FREEWAT

23. FREEWAT

24. PHREEQC pH-REdox-Equilibrium Computer programme By USGS
ed/phreeqc/

25. PHREEQC Simulate chemical reactions and transport processes in water
Perform a wide variety of geochemical calculations:
saturation indices,
distribution of aqueous species, and
density of a specified solution composition
Inverse modelling

26. PHREEQC

27. WISH Windows Interpretation System for Hydrogeologist
Developed by Mr Eelco Lukas

28. WISH Developed for hydrogeologist Free for limited purpose: government
CAD system, GIS, Chemical analysis package, pumping test programs
Main data interpretation options include:
Time series analysis
Specialised chemical diagrams
Pumping test analysis
Spatial analysis
Geological and Geophysical logs
Basic statistics
3D Visualization

29. WISH

30. Conclusions Plenty of free software tools available online
Always consider key aspects
Great effort placed in development of free software programs
FOSS are not without challenges, but have good potential
Training
Some programs have been consistently reliable, and some new programs are proving their worth
Advancement of free software development is necessary to realise better groundwater management

31. Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the funding support from the SADC-GMI project on “Capacity Building in Groundwater Data Collection and Management (DataCoM) in SADC Member States” which covered expenses of attending the conference. The project is being conducted by the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC) in collaboration with the Institute of Groundwater Studies (IGS), University of the Free State
A big thanks to SADC-GMI through DataCoM project in partnership with IGRAC and IGS for their funding support

32. Reference
Braune, E. and Xu, Y. (2010) ‘The role of ground water in sub-Saharan Africa’, Ground Water, 48(2), pp. 229–238. doi: /j x.
Cruz, D., Wieland, T. and Ziegler, A. (2006) ‘Evaluation Criteria for Free / Open Source Software Products Based on Project Analysis’, pp. 107–122. doi: /spip.257.
Fitts, C. (2002) Groundwater Sciences.
Hemker, K. and Post, V. (2016) MLU for Windows Well flow modeling in multilayer aquifer systems Aquifer and Pump Test Analysis Software MLU for Windows.
Jakeman, A. J., Barreteau, O. and Rinaudo, R. J. H. J. (2016) Integrated Groundwater Management.
Langevin, C. D. et al. (2017) Documentation for the MODFLOW 6 Groundwater Flow Model, Book 6: Modeling Techniques. doi: ,
Lukas, E. (2012) WISH as a water management tool in opencast and underground collieries.
Lukas, E. and Hodgson, F. (2008) WISH manual.
Nienhuis, P. and Hemker, K. (2010) ‘MicroFEM tutorial’, pp. 1–57.
Parkhurst, D. L. and Appelo, C. A. J. (2013) ‘Description of Input and Examples for PHREEQC Version 3 — A Computer Program for Speciation , Batch-Reaction , One-Dimensional Transport , and Inverse Geochemical Calculations. U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chapter A43, 497 p.’, U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chapter A43, p. 6–43A. doi: / (94)
Rossetto, R. et al. (2018) ‘Integrating free and open source tools and distributed modelling codes in GIS environment for data-based groundwater management’, Environmental Modelling and Software. Elsevier, 107(September 2017), pp. 210–230. doi: /j.envsoft
Singh, A. (2014) ‘Conjunctive use of water resources for sustainable irrigated agriculture’, Journal of Hydrology. Elsevier B.V., 519(PB), pp. 1688–1697. doi: /j.jhydrol
Vidal, A., Tuinhof, A. and Garduño, H. (2010) ‘Overview on the status of Policy and Legislative framework within SADC and the SADC member states for ensuring the effective and sustainable development and management of groundwater resources’, pp. 1–39.
Wheeler, D. A. (2018) How to Evaluate Open Source Software / Free Software ( OSS / FS ) Programs.

33. THANK YOU