The Ground Water Institute (GWI) is an organization of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students and non-academicians dedicated to becoming a locus of expertise in ground water management in Memphis at the University of Memphis. As an organization within the Herff College of Engineering, the GWI is a college-wide function whose director reports directly to the Dean of the College. The locus of expertise includes faculty, computer facilities and a GIS-managed database.

What are the main impacts on ground water?
    There are two main threats to our ground water system: overuse (threat to quantity), using more water than nature can replenish; and contamination (threat to quality), improper disposal or accidental spill of harmful products and release of waste detrimental to human health and the environment. The GWI strives to be a "neutral" voice in evaluating ground water issues.

How does GWI research address these impacts?
     GWI measures water quantity by the use of pressure transducers, which continuously measure ground-water levels as impacted by pumping, and Acoustic Doppler, which helps assess river fluctuations which may result from river and ground-water exchange or storms or climate changes. GWI uses age-dating and geochemistry to determine age of ground water, fossil vs. modern (less than 50 years old). Seismic reflection is used to map subsurface geologic units; to examine thickness of units, faults, deformations, how water moves, contiguous clay units, and breaches in clay units. These tools can help corroborate the identification of recharge pathways and potential for contamination.

Community Benefits provided by GWI

As a member of the academic community, the GWI is the appropriate agent to perform long term research on the ground water system, as well as immediate problem solving research. The Institute provides a central data source for ground water issues in the mid-south region and expertise from staff for specialized studies and investigations. The Institute has served as a non-utility, non-regulatory voice in ground water issues, and provides technical support for local governments and the Shelby County Ground Water Quality Control Board. The Institute has an active educational outreach program with a speakers bureau, printed educational materials, films, and formal presentations available to community groups.