Newsletters

Newsletters
DECEMBER 2020

The very first time that the Belgian Chapter’s board talked about hosting the IAH Congress was in 2016, when we decided to launch our application for the year 2021.

Since then, we are working hard to present you a high level scientific congress in september 2021, with more than 350 slots for the speakers, 6 keynote lecturers, several meetings of IAH Commissions or Workgroups (already confirmed), workshops, 10 field trips, the AGM of IAH and some Special Guests (VIPs of course). But we also want to let you discover Belgium : our rich culture, our unique comics, our colorful music, our great food and our tasty beers and chocolates!

Are you curious to know why we decided to organize the conference in Brussels, Belgium in 2021? Check our website >>

Don’t hesitate to send this newsletter to your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter.

Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is open!

You will find important dates and guidelines on the website. Our Scientific Committee, chaired by Marijke Huysmans, is waiting for you!

Focus on topics

Hydrogeophysics

The hydrogeophysics session will focus on new experimental developments and case studies at the various scales relevant for hydrogeology, as well as on recent methodological  development for the interpretation of hydrogeophysical data sets. Recent developments in measuring technologies allow the collection of more detailed information over a wider area and with a greater temporal resolution (big data of various types). This advances our ability to understand complex groundwater systems. This could be the beginning of a new era for hydrogeology!

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

More information about sponsoring >>

Latest information regarding COVID 19

We are planning for a physical congress for the 48th IAH Congress in Brussels. The eventual requested measures will be applied, but we’ll be there. Rest assured that the Belgian Chapter is putting all efforts towards this direction, even if we are monitoring the evolution of the pandemic very closely.
And what if things are not evolving the way we all hope? Well, we already have a plan B, to allow the 48th Congress to be a reality in September 2021, whatever happens.

Special guest!

A special guest will attend our congress: he’s Belgian, very tiny and blue like water, and he’s promoting the Sustainable Development Goals just like our congress. Did you guess who he is?

And last but not least:

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JANUARY 2021

 

The President’s word

2020 is behind us. 2021 has started !

2020 will remain in our memory as the year where an invisible virus changed the world and our way of communicating with each other : the 2020 IAH congress had to be postponed, and I attended the first virtual General Assembly of the IAH !

But let’s look forward. 2021 will be the year of the vaccination all over the world, and we are deeply convinced that we will meet our friends and families again, (almost) as before, like in the old days …

One thing is sure : in a bit less than 8 months from now, in September, we’ll meet in Brussels, Belgium. We are ready to welcome you and to host a great 48th IAH Congress.

Further in this newsletter, you’ll read what is going on in our organizing committees and for sure, you’ll rush to the registration page of our website, which is now OPEN !

Are you curious to know why we decided to organize the conference in Brussels, Belgium in 2021? Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !

Registration is open

Registration for the congress is now open !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

We also offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information and how to book your room.

Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Focus on topics

Hydrogeochemistry, groundwater age, paleogroundwater and isotopes in hydrogeology

Hydrogeochemical parameters and isotopes are highly informative tracers to determine the origin of groundwater, its pathway through the aquifer and residence time, and the processes that are affecting its composition. This composition or groundwater quality influences the use of the resource. This session calls for contributions related to the assessment of groundwater quality and the understanding of processes that determine groundwater composition, including groundwater age dating.

Regional groundwater systems and transboundary aquifers

co-organized by the IAH Regional Groundwater Flow Commission

Understanding groundwater on a large scale is essential for different purposes. Therefore, this topic focuses on new and inspiring practices related to groundwater at a larger level (basin to supra-basin), to calculation of regional groundwater flow, and to advances in GIS-methods.
Naturally, groundwater flow doesn’t stop at national or state borders. Transboundary aquifers are mapped all around the world. Cross-border political, socioeconomic and environmental differences create an extra dimension to take into account when trying to preserve the groundwater source in a sustainable way.

Advances in forward and inverse groundwater modeling and open source tools for computational subsurface hydrology (uncertainty)

Our understanding of complex groundwater systems including the unsaturated zone and our ability to predict their evolution is fundamental to a variety of disciplines relevant for society, ranging from groundwater resources and environmental issues to sustainable energy use.
In this session, we welcome contributions related to advances in forward and inverse modeling related to hydrogeological problems, though a specific attention will be given to emerging techniques for uncertainty quantification and the development of open source tools in hydrogeology. We have to massively invest in the improvement of our predictive abilities!

Collaboration with the IAH Brazilian Chapter

The discussions between the Brazilian and the Belgian Organising Committees are going on, and some collaboration points have been identified. More meetings are planned to bring you the best of both congresses.
In the following newsletters, we will give more information about what great initiatives to expect. Stay tuned !

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the Month

More information about sponsoring >>

Contact us

Any information required ? Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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FEBRUARY 2021

 

NEWSLETTER #3 – FEBRUARY 2021

 

The President’s word

200 days to go and IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium, will be a reality.

The end of 2020 has been very intense : there was a lot to do in order to open registration in the beginning of January, and we did it. We are now working on our collaboration with the Brazilian Organizing Committee and UNESCO. Together with IAH, we want to give for 2020 and 2021 a symbolic signal to the world of hydrogeologists and of policy makers. More to come in the coming months.

So far, 13 commissions or workgroups of IAH, or scientific programs, have contacted us and have shown interest in organizing a meeting, a session or a workshop during the IAH2021 Congress ; some plan a 1 day session on Sunday September 5th.

Oh, and we are always interested in getting new partners. If you are interested … let us know !

Beside the focus on some topics and the sponsors of the month, you will discover what is the CBH-BCH.

Don’t forget : we’ll meet you in September in Brussels.

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium? Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !

Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Registration is open

Registration for the congress is open since January, do not forget to register !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

We also offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information and how to book your room.

Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Focus on topics

Geothermal and hydro-energy

The management of energy production is in constant evolution, in order to face socio-economic and environmental challenges. New sources of energy are increasingly used and integrated to meet total demand.

This session aims to group original contributions about geothermal energy, and the use of groundwater for hydro-energy. The range of possible topics is wide and covers contributions from shallow geothermal to deep geothermal systems, for district heating or electricity production. It includes different aspects related to the characterization of geothermal processes, from characterization to numerical modelling and predictions.

This session is also open to contributions that provide new insights regarding new applications where groundwater is used for hydro-energy production. It comprises subsurface storage of heat or the use of groundwater in pump – storage systems, with a specific focus on hydrogeological processes and impacts.

Urban groundwater and underground constructions/infrastructure

In urban environments, groundwater is often subject to quantitative and qualitative deterioration. The water balance is affected drastically by multiple stress-factors and affected by underground constructions and infrastructure. Groundwater quality is very difficult to maintain due to the multiple sources of contamination.

Urban groundwater is also often contaminated by ‘emerging chemicals’, a side effect being that some of them can be used as tracers or proxies for detecting other contaminants from surface waters.

Urban groundwater that is not suitable for drinking water production can be pumped and recirculated for other uses. It can also be pumped and re-injected for low temperature geothermic systems that can impact groundwater temperature and quality.

This session encourages the submission of all contributions on urban groundwater monitoring, use, and management as well as urban impacts on groundwater quantity and quality. We also welcome abstracts focusing on the role of groundwater during underground civil works and the effect of underground constructions and infrastructure on groundwater quantity and quality.

What is CBH-BCH ?

In 2001, ir J Schittekat, Pr K Walraevens, ir JP Biron, ir A Rorive and Pr A Montjoie gathered and decided it was about time to create the association of the belgian hydrogeologists. The CBH-BCH was born, and became the Belgian Chapter of the IAH. “CBH-BCH” stands for “Belgian Committee of Hydrogeologists”, in French (CBH) and in Dutch (BCH).

For many years, we have developed a broad range of activities. We organize conferences, study days and field trips, as well as evening courses. We also reward yearly a young hydrogeologist freshly promoted for his master’s thesis, in order to promote our association and the IAH to the young hydrogeologists.

In 2014, with the collaboration of about 60 scientists and technicians,  we published the first complete reference book describing all Belgian aquifers in depth, combining decades of research.

The board of the CBH-BCH consists of 12 members working in universities, water companies, consultancies from all over the country. Our association counts (on 31st December 2019) 123 members and 8 corporate members.

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the Month

More information about sponsoring >>

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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MARCH 2021

NEWSLETTER #4 – MARCH 2021

 

The President’s word

Winter is slowly getting to its end in Belgium and it has been correctly rainy : the aquifers are filled up a little, not as good as before 2017 though, and some, especially in Flanders, are not yet totally OK. Days are getting longer, the sun is back. And 1 year ago, we started to know what the words “lockdown” and “pandemic” meant. May I say, with a smile : business almost as usual ?

In less than 6 months, the CBH-BCH will open the 48th IAH Congress, and we’ll have the honour to welcome you, the hydrogeologists society, in Brussels, Belgium.

Abstracts for IAH2021 are coming in, and registrations as well. We are working hard to offer you a great INSPIRING week ! Be sure to be there !

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium? Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !

Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Abstract Submission : 1 more month

Good news : the Scientific Committee has decided to give you an additional month for the submission of your abstract. So be sure to have your papers introduced into our system before April 21st. The Abstract Acceptance Notification date will therefore be postponed to mid-June.

So check :  https://iah2021belgium.org/abstracts/

Focus on topics

Karst and fractured rock hydrogeology

It is well known that fractured and karstic aquifers are the most productive, the most vulnerable and, due to heterogeneities, the most difficult aquifers to investigate, to characterize and to model.

In this session, we invite contributors to share their experience in innovative techniques of investigation used to characterize fissured or karstic media and applied to complex case studies including the epikarstic environment. In terms of vulnerability, special attention will be devoted to the surface – groundwater interactions in karstic environments. Water supply production or mine dewatering case studies conducted in karstic media as well as applied methodologies are welcome. Furthermore, this session focuses on mathematical models of groundwater flow applied to complex aquifer systems.

Advances in experimental and field methods in hydrogeology and for understanding of the critical zone (experimental design)

The critical zone, the system that extends from the top of the canopy to the groundwater, is strongly heterogeneous and this heterogeneity controls most complex interactions involving rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms. Truly informative data is the key to understand these mechanisms.

This topic is therefore devoted to the experimental validation of any innovative technique (or combination of techniques) and/or methodology that helps to better characterize, image, and/or monitor one or more of the multiple dynamic processes occurring inside the critical zone, from laboratory to watershed scales. The experimental design of informative field measurements associated to forecasting problems will receive a special interest.

Webinars

The IAH Belgian Chapter, the CBH-BCH, will be involved in 2 webinars very soon.

Mid-April, “SOS Drought : Is groundwater the problem or the solution” will be presented with the collaboration of all the IAH Chapters of Western and Central Europe.

At the end of April, The Brazilian and the Belgian scientific committees of the 47th (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and the 48th (Brussels, Belgium) IAH Congresses will co-organize a webinar.

More info in the newsletter of April. Watch this space !

COVID and IAH2021

You know it : the 48th IAH Congress will be held in Brussels, Belgium, in September 2021.

Now that vaccination campaigns against COVID have begun in many countries, we expect a rapid improvement in the overall situation, with the rate of infection dropping fast. The IAH2021 Committee is closely monitoring the situation, and hopes to be able to soon communicate about the timeframe for an expected gradual lifting of the current restrictions. Belgian authorities are expected to clarify the situation in the coming weeks and the indications are very good !

The whole Belgian Organizing Committee of the IAH2021 has more than ever the energy and the drive to deliver an exceptional and inspiring 48th edition of the IAH Congress. This is and remains our goal, since we began this wonderful adventure in 2017.

If any residual restrictions should be in force in September 2021, then we would adapt our programme as necessary. We would, of course, inform you as soon as possible about this. However, at the moment, the situation is evolving very positively and we are confident that we will not have to change the programme.

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the Month

More information about sponsoring >>

Registration is open

Registration for the congress is open since January, do not forget to register !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

We also offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information and how to book your room.

Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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APRIL 2021

 

NEWSLETTER #5 – APRIL 2021

 

The President’s word

Belgium is in the last weeks / days of recharging the aquifers … Spring will be at our doors soon. This new season – and the sun it promises – will give us extra energy to prepare the IAH2021 Congress. We are working hard to offer you a great experience in Brussels, Belgium.

Together with our colleagues from Brazil, we are preparing a “Groundwater Sao Paulo – Brussels Declaration”. This Declaration will be based on the input of all IAH members. So we need your help! In the coming weeks, you will receive an invitation to complete our questionnaire. We are looking forward to your input!

Don’t forget to submit your abstracts and to register: we need YOU to make a good congress !

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium?
Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Special sessions and Workshops

Some special sessions and workshops will be organized during IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium.

  • Socio-Hydrogeology – How can hydrogeology be inspired from other disciplines/outside science?
    Session chairs: Theresa Frommen (Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Germany), Viviana Re (University of Pisa, Italy), Shrikant Limaye (India)
  • Groundwater and the Sustainable Development Goals – co-organized by the IAH Burdon Groundwater network for International Development (BGID)
    Session Chairs: Jade Ward (UK), John Lindle (Denmark), Albert Acheampong (Ghana)
  • Workshop Time Series Analysis for Hydrogeologists with Pastas
    You want to apply time series analysis on real-world groundwater problems? Register for this workshop that will be held  on Sunday September 5th in Brussels. It is organized by Raoul Collenteur (University of Graz), Mark Bakker (Delft University of Technology) and Frans Schaars (Artesia)

More info on : https://iah2021belgium.org/programme/sessions-topics/

Abstract Submission : Last deadline extension

Thanks to all those who submitted their abstracts so far : we already have many high-quality presentations, that promise an inspiring congress in September.

Nevertheless, we have decided to give you a final additional month for the submission of your abstracts. So be sure to have your papers introduced into our system by May 23rd.

All guidelines on :  https://iah2021belgium.org/abstracts/

Focus on topics

Karst and fractured rock hydrogeology

It is well known that fractured and karstic aquifers are the most productive, the most vulnerable and, due to heterogeneities, the most difficult aquifers to investigate, to characterize and to model.

In this session, we invite contributors to share their experience in innovative techniques of investigation used to characterize fissured or karstic media and applied to complex case studies including the epikarstic environment. In terms of vulnerability, special attention will be devoted to the surface – groundwater interactions in karstic environments. Water supply production or mine dewatering case studies conducted in karstic media as well as applied methodologies are welcome. Furthermore, this session focuses on mathematical models of groundwater flow applied to complex aquifer systems.

Groundwater and climate change

This session generally focuses on the impact of climate change on groundwater. It includes new contributions related to the assessment of the influence of climate change on groundwater recharge and groundwater resources. It covers original results about monitoring networks, observation of the current impact of climate change on groundwater, on modelling and prediction of the way climate change will influence groundwater, evaluation of inherent uncertainty.

Contributions may focus on short-or long-term impact, induced variability of recharge, effect of extreme events such as longer and recurrent droughts. It also covers contributions about impact assessment on specific regions of the world.

 

Webinar

On April 29th at 11.30am Brazilian time or 4.30pm Belgian time or 2.30pm UTC, the Brazilian Scientific Committee of the 47th IAH Congress (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and the Belgian Scientific Committee of the 48th IAH Congress (Brussels, Belgium) will co-organize a webinar on

“The effect of global climate change on groundwater – from Brazil to Belgium”

The Groundwater Sao Paulo – Brussels Declaration

The Brazilian and Belgian Scientific Committees are working on a “Groundwater Sao Paulo – Brussels Declaration” spotlighting groundwater challenges in Brazil, Belgium and the rest of the world and providing solutions for sustainable groundwater management and groundwater awareness. This Declaration will be distributed and diffused to our policy makers, contributing to groundwater awareness and sustainable groundwater use.

All IAH members will soon receive a short Survey Monkey questionnaire. Please fill it in and help us build this Declaration in the interest of the worldwide hydrogeologists community.

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the Month

More information about sponsoring >>

Early Bird Registration

Registration for the congress is open since January, do not forget to register before the Early Bird deadline on 30 June !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

We also offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information and how to book your room.

Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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MAY 2021

NEWSLETTER #6 – MAY 2021

 

The President’s word

We have very good news. Given the favourable evolution of the pandemic in Belgium, we can now confirm that the 48th congress of the IAH will be a live event and will take place as announced in the Square Convention Center in Brussels, Belgium, from 6th to 10th September this year.

Are you done with Zoom© or Teams© meetings ? Are you ready to run away from your computer screen ? Would you be delighted to meet and talk to real people, in flesh and bones, with a nice Belgian beer in your hand ? IAH2021 will be one of the first live congresses after a long time ! So be part of this unique event and do not wait any longer to register !

Read more in this newsletter and on the website of the congress, and be sure to be there.

Together with the Organizing Committee, I’m looking forward to meeting you all again next September.

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium?
Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Trust in the future

As a result of the evolution of the pandemic and the vaccination in Belgium AND abroad, the IAH2021 Organizing Committee and the IAH Executive are really happy to announce that the 48th congress of the IAH will be a live, face-to-face event. All indicators are on green.

Thanks to the numerous high-quality abstracts we have received, it’s clear that the +/- 300 speakers who will be present in Brussels promise a fantastic congress.

After careful consideration, the Organizing Committee has decided not to provide live streaming of the congress, but we are not forgetting all those among you who will unfortunately not be able to travel to Belgium in September: we’ll have an alternative solution for whoever would like access to the content presented at the congress.

Of course, we will remain very attentive, in the coming weeks and months, to the evolution of the pandemic and to our government requirements as to organize a Covid-proof IAH2021 congress.

So … you have 2 things to do now: spread the news within the community, and register online !

Abstract Submission

Thank you !

We have received 435 abstracts to prepare our program. Thank you for these very interesting contributions.

Considering their high quality, it will be an outstanding congress. In the coming weeks, the Scientific Committee will review all abstracts and you will soon receive the confirmation of acceptance.

Focus on topics

Groundwater contamination

Human activities have introduced high amounts of synthetic compounds into the water cycle, by diffuse or point-source pollution. Concern about this topic is growing as we learn more about their persistence, and their toxicity at very low concentrations.

This session will cover different aspects: (1) novel monitoring approaches, (2) identifying the sources of diffuse or point-source pollution, (3) understanding contaminant transport and (4) (bio)degradation of noxious compounds.

Illegal garbage in a protection area (’80) – © De Watergroep

Caught on picture: illegal car dismantling – On the background: a water production site
No comment – © De Watergroep

Groundwater governance, policy and management (drought)

Growth of the world population, urbanization, agriculture on an industrial level, climate change and drought, these are just a few key factors contributing to the ever-increasing pressure on groundwater systems worldwide. Therefore, an commensurate increase of proper groundwater governance, policy and management is required to safeguard this valuable natural resource for generations to come.

In this topic, focus lies on good practices and lessons learned on different hydrogeological and policy levels and scales. Development and implementation of new legislation, instruments for increasing compliance promotion, regional groundwater management and groundwater Theme status monitoring are also inspirational items this topic will further consider.

 

The Groundwater Sao Paulo – Brussels Declaration

As mentioned, the Brazilian and the Belgian Scientific Committees are working on a “Groundwater Sao Paulo – Brussels Declaration”.

The aim of this declaration is to be widely distributed and diffused to our policy makers, in order to have a larger focus on groundwater.

All IAH members have received a short SurveyMonkey questionnaire. Please complete it, and help us build this Declaration, in the interest of the worldwide hydrogeologists community.

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

More information about sponsoring >>

Early Bird Registration

Do not forget to register before the Early Bird deadline on 30 June !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

We also offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information and how to book your room.

Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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JUNE 2021

 

NEWSLETTER #7 – JUNE 2021

 

The President’s word

Time flies, and IAH2021 approaches. We are getting more into the detailed preparation of the congress, and we have some news to share, as you will read further on.

The abstracts review process has come to its end, all the members of the Scientific Committee have done a great job, in a short period of time. And all the authors have received their acceptance letter.

You didn’t make it in time for submitting your abstract ? We might have a solution – read on !
You didn’t register yet ? Well … don’t forget that the end of the Early Bird period is getting close.

We are really looking forward to meeting you in less than 3 months !

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium?
Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Abstracts and posters

First of all, the Organizing Committee of IAH2021 wishes to thank all the authors and all the reviewers for their work : thanks to you, the inspiring quality of this congress will be of a high standard.

You couldn’t submit your abstract in time to our Scientific Committee ? Or you were not sure you could travel, till now ? We have decided to offer you a second chance : we re-open our abstracts platform this Monday June 21st for posters only. So feel free to send in your poster abstract for review through this link.

Early Bird

In a few days from now, on June 30th, the Early Bird registration period will be closed.

So make sure you are registered at this interesting price before the end of the month.

https://iah2021belgium.org/registration/

Accommodation

Some of our partner Hotels have offered to extend the deadline for bookings by a few weeks so do not wait too long and book your hotel now !

https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/accommodation/

COVID

COVID is for sure a trouble maker in the decision process of travelling to Brussels, Belgium next September and to attend the IAH2021.

The conditions are changing over time, and we try to summarize them on the website. We’ll stick to the Belgian laws, and it’s highly probable that the European Covid Vaccination passport or a negative test will be required.
For those travelling from outside the European Union, other rules could be applicable.

All necessary information can be found here : https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en

Focus on topics

Mineral and Thermal Water

Mineral and thermal waters have a specific chemical composition, origin, and (high) temperature. Each occurrence has its own characteristics, but often it is the result of very interesting and unique hydrogeological conditions. To explore, investigate, understand, and protect each groundwater system producing mineral and thermal waters, hydrogeologists are using a wide range of methods.

Geochemical and isotopic studies are particularly useful because mineral and thermal waters are often the result of deep hydrogeological processes, taking place during periods ranging from a few years to thousands of years, allowing extensive water rock-interactions.

(1) Investigation methods.
(2) Approaches for ensuring sustainable use, protection and integrated environmental management.
(3) Specific case-studies

© Spadel

Groundwater/surface water interaction

This session invites contributions on all different processes relevant for the interaction between groundwater and surface water in riparian, hyporheic and benthic zones: hydrological, physical, chemical, biological, …

Advances in field methods, laboratory experiments and modeling approaches will be addressed.

© Marijke Huysmans

 

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsor of the month : AQUABRU

More information about sponsoring >>

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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JULY 2021

 

NEWSLETTER #8 – JULY 2021

 

The President’s word

July and August are the months of holidays for many of us, enjoying some vacation at the seaside or in the mountains, with family or with friends. But in +/- 7 weeks, it is another trip that awaits you: Belgium, to join us for the 48th Congress of the IAH and 5 inspiring days.

We know it will be a special edition of course, with the pandemic disturbing the plans of many of us, but we will be there full of positive energy.

The Early Bird season is over: it was successful in terms of registrations received.

Of course, we are very attentive to the Covid situation, in Belgium and abroad. But we are trustful in the vaccination campaigns. We are very pleased to read many supporting messages from different parts of the world.

Our website will soon be updated with different commissions and workgroups that plan to meet in Brussels.

Do not forget that you can still submit an abstract for a poster. And of course … do not forget to register !

We are really looking forward to meeting you in less than 2 months !

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium?
Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Our friends The Smurfs have a message for you …

Click here to find out !

Commissions, Networks and Workshops

The IAH2021 has inspired many groups within and outside the IAH, willing to meet and work together in Brussels, next September. The list below is non exhaustive, we are still expecting some confirmations, and you’ll find more details on the website of the congress – www.iah2021belgium.org

The following experts’ groups plan a meeting, a work session or the AGM of the group – these will be planned on Monday or on Thursday, after the different sessions, and before the side-events. We are working now on the programme, and we are in contact with all chairs of the different workgroups and networks.
.

  • Burdon Groundwater Network for International Development (BGID)
  • Coastal Aquifer Dynamics and Coastal Zone Management (CAD-CZM)
  • Fractured Rock Hydrogeology
  • Groundwater Quality
  • Managing Aquifer Recharge (MAR)
  • Socio-Hydrogeology

Some of the workgroups or networks of IAH have also proposed us to co-chair a regular session.
There will also be special sessions during the congress:

  • “Drought in The Netherlands and Flanders, for policy makers”, powered by Deltares
  • The EU IMPEL workshop on trend reversal in groundwater pollution & tackling illegal groundwater drilling and abstractions
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • GeoEra Hover: “Everything you always wanted to know about EuroGeoSurveys building a groundwater information platform*
    (*but were afraid to ask)
  • Workshop “Time Series Analysis for Hydrogeologists with Pastas” organized on SUNDAY September 5th
  • “Introduction to MODFLOW6 and MODFLOW-USG Model Development using a Conceptual Model Approach”, powered by AQUAVEO organized on SUNDAY September 5th

And of course, the IAH will hold its Council meeting on Sunday September 5th as well.

Poster Submission

It is not too late to send us an abstract for a poster !
https://iah2021belgium.org/abstracts/

Registration

Register NOW !

You will find all info on the fees, what they include, the Accompanying Persons’ Package, and the link to the registration platform on the website.

Lufthansa Group Partner Airlines has a special discounted travel offer for congress delegates. Do not miss this opportunity. Check the website info and process to benefit from this great offer.

Do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. You will also find more information about visa requirements and other actual COVID related travel information on the website.
Visa : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/travel/
COVID : https://iah2021belgium.org/venueandtravel/covid-19/

Accommodation

We offer a wide range of hotels & hostels options and prices. Check the congress website for more information.

Do not forget to book your hotel now to benefit from the congress negotiated prices !

Focus on topics

Coastal Aquifers

Coastal aquifers are a major source for freshwater supply in many countries around the world. Coastal zones are often densely populated, resulting in a high demand for fresh water. However, groundwater in these areas is highly vulnerable to salinization. Interactions between flow and transport of fresh and saline groundwater, accompanied by chemical reactions, result in great complexity of the hydrogeological system.
This session invites contributions related to methodological advances in the study of coastal aquifers, as well as case-studies.

Groundwater and ecosystems

Groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are experiencing increasing pressure due to anthropogenic actions influencing groundwater quantity and quality. The list of potential stresses is long and includes e.g. climate and land use change, drinking water exploitation, and diffuse or point source groundwater pollution. To protect and preserve valuable aquatic as well as terrestrial GDEs, these stresses have to be mapped and quantified and if possible eliminated or at least mitigated.

This session welcomes contributions on the characterization and modelling of GDEs, their response to stresses on groundwater quantity and quality and the design and evaluation of mitigating actions.

 

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the month
More information about sponsoring >>

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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AUGUST 2021

 

NEWSLETTER #9 – AUGUST 2021

 

The President’s word

This is the last newsletter before the Opening Act of IAH2021, the 48th inspiring congress of the IAH.

We have received a great Honor: IAH2021 – Inspiring Groundwater will be held under the Patronage of the King of the Belgians.

Despite COVID, the registrations are doing fine and the scientific programme showing the schedule of the oral and poster presentations is NOW online.

Belgium has adapted the COVID rules, scrapping all “very high risk countries” from its list: as of August 19th, no one is forbidden to enter Belgium anymore, though some rules are still existing (vaccination, certificate, PCR test at arrival).

We also take care of you. After tasting our famous beers and fries, we propose you a jogging, called “Run for Water”, a healthy morning jogging in the center of the city, mixing running, culture and charity. More details in this newsletter.

We are so excited to host IAH2021. We do hope all participants will enjoy their stay in our country.

Don’t forget to register here. It’s not too late !

We are really looking forward to meeting you in less than 1 month !

Are you curious to know everything about IAH2021 in Brussels, Belgium?
Check our website >>Don’t hesitate to spread this newsletter within your community, and to encourage them to register to our newsletter for future updates. Stay tuned !Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Scientific Programme

The detailed scientific programme with the schedule of the oral and poster presentations is now online.

Please keep in mind that this programme is still subject to small changes in the coming weeks, so we advise you to regularly check the site for updates.

The Smurfs help us …

…cos nothing makes a Smurf happier than seeing people accessing clean water.

Click here to find out !

Focus on topic

Sustainable groundwater exploitation and well management

Groundwater resources which are exploited for the production of drinking water or for agricultural or industrial purposes experience severe stress because of natural or human causes. Using groundwater in a sustainable way and preserving the necessary reserves for future generations poses an important challenge for the hydrogeological community. However, defining a sustainable exploitation rate or evaluating it with field data is in most cases not easy.

For this session we solicit contributions on the determination of sustainable yield criteria of phreatic and confined aquifers, experiences with the exploitation of groundwater, the development of tools evaluating the sustainability of exploitation, and the influence of short-term unforeseen events such as drought.

We also solicit contributions on the assets to exploit groundwater in a sustainable way. This includes for instance well field operation and management to optimize extraction and reduce clogging.

The necessity of a better sustainable groundwater exploitation & well management is sometimes quite obvious

© VMM

Patronage of the King

 

IAH2021 will be organized under the Patronage of His Majesty the King of the Belgians.

This Honor given to IAH2021, shows the interest and the concern of His Majesty the King for a sustainable management of water, giving access to water to all populations.

COVID, Belgium and IAH2021

The 48th IAH Congress in Brussels will be a fully live event, no live streaming. The requested official measures will be applied, and we will be there. Rest assured that the Belgian Chapter is putting all efforts towards this direction, and we are monitoring the evolution of the pandemic very closely.

Plan your trip to Belgium
Some positive news to start with: From August 19th, there will be no more travel ban to Belgium: no more High-Level Risk countries.

Basically, if you are vaccinated (2 weeks after the second shot), you can be entitled to travel to Belgium. Though 3 steps need to be done:

  • Getting a vaccination certificate recognized by the European Union or Belgium
  • Getting a negative PCR test as entering Belgium (for non-EU or Schengen residents)
  • Filling up the Passenger’s Locator Form (PLF)

To get the recognized certificate, please check the website of the Belgian Embassy of your country or contact them – we have heard from participants that this is very efficient. We are also checking another solution.
As for the PCR test, we’ll communicate you the easiest way as soon as possible.

COVID measures evolve in time. So, in order to plan your trip to Belgium, please check the following websites:

To enter the Congress
We want IAH2021 to be a great and safe experience for everyone. Therefore, to enter the congress and the venue, we will require each attendee to show the following documents at the entrance:

  • the EU Digital COVID Certificate or any vaccination certificate recognised by Belgium
  • or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This test should be less than 48 hours old
  • or a COVID-19 recovery certificate

Practical detailed measures will be communicated to you a few days ahead of your trip, in order to inform you with the latest measures of our government.

We’ll keep our website updated as soon as the situation evolves.

IAH2021 and Charity : Run for Water

We propose, in collaboration with Visit Brussels, a morning jogging in the center of Brussels. And it will be run by an official guide of the city, so you’ll mix an healthy activity and culture. Isn’t that cool ?

It will take place on the 4th day of the Congress, on Thursday September 9th, of course in the early morning.

We propose a participation of €5 (or more if you want) per person for this jogging. And if you don’t run, you can also support the project. We would like indeed to send some money to a charity involved into providing water to people in very low economy countries.

No need to register. We’ll take the registrations onsite and there will be a money collector (just bills, no cards) from the opening of the congress. Easy !

More information on the congress website.

Want to become partner or sponsor of our congress?

Organising a big congress requires a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

We are still looking for sponsors and partners. Are you interested?

Sponsors of the month
More information about sponsoring >>

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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DECEMBER 2021

NEWSLETTER #10 – DECEMBER 2021

 

The President’s word

THANK YOU !
This wonderful experience has come to its end, but we have lived amazing moments before the congress but also during the congress. It has not been easy for us to maintain our project as it had been proposed to the IAH Council in Daejeon, September 2018, and to prepare a face-to-face event, but we kept the faith in the evolution of the pandemic, in the vaccination campaigns, in our authorities, in the thoughts of meeting together, “as before”.
Having all the controls at the entrance, under the Belgian law allowing a Covid Safe Ticket Event, allowed us to reach our goal, and IAH2021 will not be remembered as the largest congress of the IAH, but as of the 1st presential congress after the pandemic.
And I think I may say : IAH2021 was a fantastic success, despite the COVID pandemic.
In the name of the Organizing Committee of the IAH2021 and of the Board of the Belgian Chapter of the IAH, I would like to express my deepest thanks
  • To the 464 participants to the congress who travelled from about 40 countries to Belgium.
    We have all experienced smiling faces, without a mask, meeting again, shaking hands, talking, laughing.
  • To the 5 keynote Speakers,
    to the 240 Speakers,
    to the 90 authors of a poster
    You made the high quality of the scientific content of the congress
  • To the numerous partners who participated financially or technically to the congress : without you, it’s simple : no congress !
  • To the companies that accepted with joy to open the doors of their installations during the Field Trips Day
  • To the HydroSmurfs, our stewards : your availability was a great help for the participants
  • To the SQUARE, for a great and central location,
    to VisitBrussels for their support
    to the medical team that proceeded to the 75 antigenic tests
  • To the Breughelian dancers and to the Gilles of Charleroi who entertained us on Monday.
    To the 107Quater Band, that created an incredible and totally unexpected atmosphere during the Gala Dinner
    To the 2 Smurfs, ScholarSmurfin and SpringWaterSmurf who accompanied us during the whole week
    And to the brewer “La Sartilège”, for the great IAH2021 Beer
  • To MCI and Séverine De Smet in particular, who organized a perfect event
  • And to the IAH Executive, who believed in our project the whole time, even if there were some doubts.
This list might seem long or a bit “cliché”. But for us, ALL our partners listed above have been so important to the success of the 48th IAH Congress, IAH2021 : without one of the links of the chain, the result we have known wouldn’t have been reached.

Olivier Lagneau
Chair of the Organizing Committee

Pictures and Videos

Soon, pictures and videos will be available

  • on the website of the congress
  • on the website of the IAH
  • on the Vimeo Channel of the IAH

Stay tuned !!!

Sponsors

Organising a big congress has required a lot of efforts and financial support.
A big thank you to all our sponsors!

Contact us

Any information required ?
Check our website : www.iah2021belgium.org
Or contact us through our e-mail address : iah2021belgium@mci-group.com

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