Modeling the impacts of new policies on water quality in Burkina Faso

When scientists turn to modeling, it is to investigate possible scenarios that cannot, for one reason or another, be studied directly. You could liken it to peering into a crystal ball, except that nothing is being predicted – rather, potential future scenarios are being explored, depending on varying circumstances.

In Burkina Faso, researchers from TU Wien, working with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), have turned to modeling to capture how institutions and policies could help halt water pollution, a growing problem in the country. Modeling the impacts of such efforts on water quality can help guide decision-makers and local water committees, institutions tasked with water management, with how best to achieve water quality improvements…