Groundwater ~ Every drop is precious

Welcome to the Institute for Groundwater Studies!

The Institute for Groundwater Studies is the only institute in South Africa dedicated to geohydrology. Founded in 1974 by Professor FDI Hodgson, the IGS is the oldest institute on the UFS Campus and has produced more than 800 postgraduate students. The IGS educates students in the geohydrology field and does research on South Africa's aquifers.  The institute is proud of the continued quality and excellence in pursuit of the strategic priorities of the University of the Free State. 

Besides the IGS' advanced work in groundwater research, the IGS water research laboratory also recently obtained ISO 17025 accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) for all methods used in IGS. This accreditation indicates that they adhere to all the conditions and requirements as stipulated by this body via international standard. ISO 17025 is complementary to the generic quality management system standard ISO 9001. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), based in Switzerland, created the industrial standards. ISO 9001,  a quality management system used in all industries - small and large - is by far the most successful and most widely recognised standard.

IGS is the leading groundwater research group in Africa on aspects related to fractured rock aquifers, industrial and mining contamination, groundwater governance, and groundwater resources. 

The institute conducts contract research on a wide variety of water-related topics of special interest is its contribution to the mining and industrial sectors in terms of water management, minimisation of pollution, as well as understanding the nature and behaviour of South Africa's aquifers. The institute provides a complete service to these industries through field investigations, the development of specialised field equipment, a well-equipped commercial and water research laboratory and a number of computer models for the management and operation of the aquifers, protecting them from pollution.

The institute also takes part in research projects for the Water Research Commission (WRC), Coaltech, and the government. We are proud of the fact that technologies developed through these projects are now in use worldwide.

The IGS has expertise in the following fields of geohydrology:

  • Groundwater research, Laboratory services, Groundwater in a mining environment, Development of groundwater monitoring programmes, Hydrogeological and contaminant investigations, Geochemical assessments, Groundwater software development, Acid-mine drainage prediction and management, Assessment of groundwater pollution, Groundwater risk assessments, Groundwater resource development and management etc.
Postgraduate Studies

IGS offer the following degrees in Geohydrology:
  • BSc Honours in Geohydrology
  • MSc in Geohydrology
  • PhD in Geohydrology
For more information, please consult the Faculty Rule Book.

Director
Dr E Lukas
E: lukase@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 2793

Academic Manager (Academic Enquiries)
Dr A Allwright
E: AllwrightAJ@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 3481

Academic Head (Academic Enquiries)
Prof A Atangana
E: AtanganaA@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 3744

Academic Enquiries
A Rossouw
E: rossab@ufs.ac.za or igs-info@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 2175

Financial Enquiries
L Rust
E: rustl@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 2380

Laboratory Manager
Dr LM Deysel
E: CruywagenLM@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 2317

Please take note that NO enquiries should be sent to the Director.





BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Elfrieda van den Berg (Marketing Manager)
T: +27 51 401 2531
E:vdberge@ufs.ac.za
QWAQWA CAMPUS FACULTY CONTACT

Dilahlwane Mohono (Faculty Officer)
T: +27 58 718 5284
E:naturalscienceqq@ufs.ac.za

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