Introduction
The Geological Survey
of Canada (GSC) with the support of the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) is about to initiate a three-year technology transfer program
in the area of groundwater exploration and management in an attempt to
bring long term solutions to the water supply problems in drought-stricken
northeastern Brazil (see map). The GSC and its Brazilian
partners, the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM) and the Brazilian Groundwater
Association (ABAS) are seeking collaborators in the project from the Canadian
private sector and public institutions.
About half of the 13,000 rural wells in
the state of Ceará alone are not producing. The majority were drilled
without the benefit of adequate groundwater exploration tools. Compounding
the problem of quantity is the fact that about 80% of the wells in crystalline
bedrock produce brackish water that is unfit for human and animal consumption,
or for irrigation. Desalinization (reverse osmosis) apparatus have been
installed on some wells, but for the majority, yields are too low to justify
the installation such costly equipment.
The Brazilian government has put in place
a number of emergency relief measures to help the population live through
this difficult period: food distribution; indiscriminate drilling of a
large number of new wells; construction projects and repair to dams, mostly
to create employment; facilitating private loans for minor waterworks projects;
and increased distribution of drinking water by tanker trucks. These measures
were clearly meant for the short term and offer no lasting benefits. What
is really needed are long term solutions that will permit the population
to cope during periods of drought without the need for government handouts
or expensive and inefficient emergency measures.
Canadian technologies
The proponents of the technology transfer
program believe that the groundwater resources of northeastern Brazil can
be exploited more efficiently by introducing modern exploration and management
techniques. Geophysics and remote sensing applied to the search for fractured
bedrock aquifers will constitute a prime component of the program. But
other areas are equally important. For example, technologies to deal with
the high salinity problem; technologies to rehabilitate existing water
supply systems and improve yields; applicable and innovative techniques
of well construction, water storage, pumping, water treatment, distribution,
etc. The program will also support research that can be shown to be pertinent
to the groundwater problems of northeastern Brazil. This could include
such disciplines as hydrogeology, structural geology, geochemistry, groundwater
modeling, borehole logging, etc.
The need for better groundwater exploration
and management tools is recognized by the majority of public and private
organizations involved with water issues in northeastern Brazil. Even though
most water related problems in Canada differ greatly from those in northeastern
Brazil, there is no doubt that relevant knowledge, experience and technologies
exist in Canada, that could help improve living conditions in that region.
Technology transfer
The proposed program includes a technology
transfer component, to be funded by Canada, and a follow-up/implementation
component to be funded by Brazil. The present call for expressions of interest
is for the technology transfer component, but organizations that become
involved in the transfer of technology will be in a good position and could
eventually take part in the implementation component.
The target audience for the technology
transfer includes all the Brazilian organizations and individuals who are
involved in finding, supplying, managing and researching the groundwater
resources of northeastern Brazil. Groundwater exploration is currently
carried out by firms of consultants working under contract to large public
waterworks companies. Personnel from these organizations will take part
in the technology transfer exercise. Personnel and students from earth
science departments of several universities in the northeast, and the Geological
Survey of Brazil will also be invited.
The transfer of technology will take the
form of workshops, seminars and short courses that should include classroom-style
presentations (theory, case studies, etc.) and field demonstrations and/or
pilot-scale projects in Brazil. All practical work will be geared towards
solving real problems in the community. The technology transfer component
of the program will not fund the purchase of equipment, but will cover
equipment rental, either in Brazil or in Canada and related transportation
costs. The main centers of operation in Brazil will be Fortaleza in the
state of Ceará, Recife in Pernambuco and Natal in Rio Grande do
Norte. Other centers may also be included depending on local needs and
the demand.
Canadian technology will also be transferred
through training of Brazilian personnel in Canada for periods ranging from
a few weeks to a few months. This may include laboratory as well as field
oriented programs.
Opportunities
Firms and individuals who will have responded
to this invitation, and perhaps others, will have the opportunity to bid
on small, short-term contracts to carry out technology transfer projects
in Brazil and in Canada as indicated above. These contracts will be let
by the Geological Survey of Canada.
For the longer term, participation in the
program will allow individuals and companies to showcase their expertise
and their technologies in an area that is vital for Brazil and at the very
top on the list of government priorities. An enormous amount of the country’s
resources are presently being pumped into the affected regions in the form
of relief programs. There is little doubt that any Canadian technology
that can be shown to bring benefits will be examined very seriously by
the Brazilian authorities.
Expressions of interest
The GSC, CPRM and ABAS would like to hear
from any Canadian organization, private or public, and individuals who
may be able to make a contribution to this program. We are not requesting
full proposals at this stage, but only a short statement indicating what
the organization or individual can offer along with any relevant experience
they might have. Relevant experience can include a vast array of groundwater
related experience, but we are particularly interested in expertise in
fractured aquifer environments and/or in semi-arid regions. Having worked
in Brazil previously and, although not essential, having a working knowledge
of Portuguese, or even Spanish, will be considered important assets.
Respondents should send relevant material
by mail, fax or e-mail, directly to the undersigned.
Dr. Yvon Maurice
Coordinator
Canada-Brazil Cooperation
Geological Survey of Canada
601 Booth Street
Tel: (613) 995-4748
Ottawa, Ontario
Fax: (613) 996 3726
Canada, K1A 0E8
e-mail: ymaurice@NRCan.gc.ca
December 1998 Mission Report Summary
Canada-Brazil
Cooperation Home Page