Groundwater Artificial recharge Based on Alternative sources of wateR: aDvanced INtegrated technologies and managEment

Socio principal: GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAET GOETTINGEN

Socios participantes: PALESTINIAN WATER AUTHORITY; TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY; PALESTINIAN HYDROLOGY GROUP FOR WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL & WATER RESSOURCES ENGINEERING LTD; ISRAEL WATER COMMISSION; THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM; LABORATÓRIO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA CIVIL; UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA; UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE; ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS; GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL CONSULTANTS - GEOSERVICE; THESSALONIKI WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE COMPANY S.A.;

Programa: 6º Programa Marco

Inicio del proyecto: Tue, 01/11/2005

Finalización del proyecto: Thu, 30/04/2009

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Aquifers are the main source of water in most semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean basin. As a result of over-exploitation hydrologic deficits of varying acuity prevail in these areas. Seawater intrusion and pollution have been identified as the primary factors for quality degradation. Further deterioration can be expected based on trends in the precipitation regime attributed to climate change. The objective of this project is to identify alternative sources of water and to investigate the feasibility, both environmental and economic of their utilization. Alternative water sources to be artificially recharged comprise: surface water runoff, treated effluent, and imported water. Furthermore, brackish water bodies, present in many aquifers could be utilised after desalination. The project structured into eight work-packages comprehensively addresses all issues related to the problem: expected precipitation rates, recharge and water budgets, identification of potential alternative water sources and technologies for their utilization, development of tools for the management of groundwater resources under artificial recharge conditions, aquifer vulnerability assessment, characterization of the unsaturated zone, and mixing effects. Four test sites have been selected for practical application of the approach. Substantial field testing, integration of technologies and findings to ensure optimal implementations of aquifer recharge alternatives, quantification of socio-economic impacts and development of dissemination platform are planned. Finally a carefully designed project management shall drive and accompany the project execution in order to ascertain consistency and efficiency.