Umvoto is locally and internationally acclaimed for its expertise in primary, fractured, and karstic aquifers. Our team’s knowledge of geological and hydrogeological processes forms the basis for highly successful groundwater resource evaluation, exploration, development, monitoring, modelling and management. Umvoto’s expertise and experience, together with engineering associates, allows us to deliver turnkey projects covering every step from inception to water from the tap. This includes geological mapping, borehole siting and borehole drilling and testing, aquifer/ecological/climatological monitoring, wellfield operations and maintenance, numerical modeling and aquifer management.
Given the growing concern around water resource contamination and the legal need for due diligence, this expertise is also applied with predictive modelling tools, to determine site contamination and groundwater pollution with a view to design the most appropriate protection and remediation measures.
Surface and groundwater modelling simulate flow and transport processes overland and underground, improving our understanding of these processes and informing decisions that affect them. With a dedicated team of modellers, we deliver solutions tailored to our client and project’s needs, integrated within project workflows to obtain the greatest benefit from the modelling process throughout the project lifespan.
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Determining Dependency and Vulnerability of Groundwater in Coastal Cities (Cape Town and Dar es Salaam)
In March 2025, Umvoto was commissioned by the Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) to undertake a project on determining the dependency and vulnerability of groundwater in coastal cities, using Cape Town and Dar es Salaam as case studies. Coastal cities are becoming increasingly reliant on groundwater due to rapid urbanisation, population growth,…
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South Africa’s first International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge
Umvoto recently attended the 12th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (ISMAR 12), held in Stellenbosch – the first time the event has been hosted in Africa. The conference took place with the support and endorsement of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and UNESCO. ISMAR 12 brought…
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Promotions at Umvoto
Umvoto is pleased to congratulate the following employees on their recent promotions. Aqeelah Benjamin from Intern Geospatial Analyst to Junior Geospatial Analyst; Anele Matsebula from Intern Geologist to Junior Geologist; Khutjo Diphofe and Siyabulela Mafilika from Junior Hydrogeologist to Hydrogeologist; Keanan Woolf from Geologist to Senior Geologist; Philip Geldenhuys from Hydrogeologist to Senior Geologist; and Wiehan Swanepoel from Hydrogeologist to Senior Hydrogeologist. Umvoto wishes…
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Ground truthing: Ensuring accurate environmental management
Why is ground truthing important? Ground truthing plays an essential role in environmental science by connecting remote sensing data with real-world conditions. It involves the direct observation and validation of data collected remotely, such as satellite imagery or aerial surveys, by conducting on-the-ground investigations. This practice ensures the accuracy and reliability of environmental assessments, which…
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Stellies student job shadows at Umvoto
Welcome to Kyle Louw As a recent graduate from Stellenbosch University with a BSc in Earth Sciences (graduated December 2024), Kyle Louw took a proactive step to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional experience. He spent his December holiday gaining hands-on exposure by job shadowing at Umvoto. This opportunity allowed him to enhance…
