AN APPLIED SUMMARY OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN HAITI

A unique applied understanding of Haiti's groundwater resources has been developing during a seven-year period over which the project team has been involved studying and characterizing Haiti's aquifers. This work is on­going and has included geophysics, hydrogeologic mapping, siting, drilling and analyzing hundreds of public and private water wells throughout the country.

Five primary types of aquifers have been studied that include: Quaternary & Pliocene unconsolidated, Pliocene/Pleistocene carbonate, Miocene semi-consolidated, Paleogene carbonate and Cretaceous crystalline. Each aquifer category presents unique characteristics and challenges related to groundwater exploration, resource management and protection. Haiti is in critical need of a comprehensive, country-wide assessment and atlas of these groundwater resources. The general population, businesses and industry need access to reliable and dependable water supplies in order to develop economically and socially. The project team is focused on leveraging the efforts to-date to support the development of an an atlas prepared to international standards.