Water consumption for domestic use, irrigation, and industrial purposes is high and is expected to grow rapidly in the future. Overexploitation and pollution are major threats to groundwater resources.

The project has set up a hydrogeological database that stores detailed information from groundwater wells. Thematic maps display: "Exploitation Potential”, "Basic Quality Assessment”, "Vulnerability”, "Protection Demands” and "Pollution Hazard”.

Rocks and Sediments can act as a natural and efficient barrier against toxic lea hates originating from waste disposal sites. Important criteria for such a geological barrier are high clay content, a thickness of at least 5 m, and sufficient lateral extension. A geological barrier will block or retard the spread of pollutants to the groundwater if the man-made barrier of a waste disposal site proves insufficient or fails.

The search for geological barrier rocks is supported by a database application querying the lithological information from groundwater wells. GIS overlay techniques are used for further data processing and presentation. Thematic maps display the distribution of "Potential Barrier Rock” and outline "Recommended Areas for Site investigation”.

High demand for construction raw materials has led in the project area to widespread and largely uncontrolled mining activities from various clay sand and gravel pits as well as from quarries and riverbed sand-sucking sites, serious environmental impacts are frequently visible. The project database provides an inventory of mining sites including information for environmental impact assessment. The thematic map "Prospective Areas for Construction Raw Materials” displays proven and potential exploitation sites for sand/gravel, brick clay, and aggregates.

Soils have a key function in the geological environment. Agricultural use, fertility, natural vegetation, readability, groundwater storage capacity, and aspects of soil protection are all closely related to distinct soil types and their physical and chemical parameters. The project has compiled in close cooperation with the Department of Land Development (DLD) all relevant soil information. The DLD’s Soil Information System (SIS) stores soil data on a countrywide scale. GIS-based thematic maps from the project area provide information on soil classes, natural vegetation, and agricultural use as well as on potential soil fertility and soil texture.

Assessment of the risk potential of natural hazards (e.g.: flooding, active faults, earthquakes, landslides, land subsidence) is an important aspect of environmental geology. Human life and property can be protected if adequate information and risk prevention measures are taken into account. Flood events occur most commonly in the low lying basin parts close to the major river systems. This hazard information is especially important for flood sensitive land use like infrastructure, settlement, waste disposal sites.