Water - GW-MATE

GW-MATE

The Groundwater Management Advisory Team (GW-MATE) supports the thrust from 'vision to action' on integrated water resources management of the World Water Forum in March 2000. Groundwater is of major importance for potable water supply and also provides for much agricultural irrigation and industrial production, but the resource base is under increasing threat from inadequately-regulated pumping and pollution from inadequately-controlled effluent disposal and land use.

GW-MATE is a core group of experienced specialists in the multidisciplinary and multifaceted area of groundwater management. In essence, the GW-MATE is operational in mode, interdisciplinary in character, and advisory in style.

GW-MATE supports World Bank projects and develops capacity in groundwater resource management and quality protection and is also an Associate Program of the Global Water Partnership.

Objectives
GW-Mate's principal objectives include:

	Support and strengthen the groundwater components of World Bank-financed projects and GWP actions, at country or regional level.
	Provide leadership on groundwater management and protection issues, including the definition of key government functions and policy options.
	Facilitate (at least at pilot level) the implementation of management systems, including the mobilization of stakeholders, to address groundwater resource management and protection needs.
	Harvest and evaluate global experience, taking account of hydrogeologic and socioeconomic diversity.
	Disseminate best-practice elements internationally through provision of Guides & Books, a Briefing Notes Series and a Case Profile Collection, together with the organization of short courses and study tours.