Development of an online borehole database to engage citizen science

Abstract

The development of an online borehole database to engage citizen science stems for the challenges of attaining borehole related data. The institutional databases, the National Groundwater Archive (NGA) and the Groundwater Resources Information Project (GRIP) are focal points for data access. The NGA is faced with incomplete datasets due to backlogs and capacity shortages, while the GRIP is only implemented in Limpopo province. An online borehole database has been developed based on the Standard Geosite Descriptors (SGDs) and structured from the NGA and GRIP databases. The database is accessed through a mobile application which citizens can use to capture and access data. A user ranking system and user credits respectively allow for the verification and equitable use of the data. Engaging citizen scientists in borehole data collection enables the expansion of existing databases and gives the public a sense of responsibility in their contributions to this scientific endeavour. The contributions of data by the public facilitates hydrocensus processes to assess the state of groundwater.