Good practices Handbook on groundwater networks and models in pilot sites

Water scarcity and ground water pollution is a common challenge to the Mediterranean. Clepsydra aims to protect aquifers through a smart system for monitoring and interpreting hydrogeological data. This Handbook describes and assesses the reliability of four existing monitoring networks of groundwater networks, with a focus on nitrate pollution, aquifer recharge, and agricultural water use, in Spain (2), Portugal and Malta, It identifies aera of improvement. The monitoring networks across the four pilot sites are evaluated, including meteorological networks, saturated and unsaturated zone monitoring, groundwater sampling—water points location and sampling frequency—, and hydrogeological models available. Emphasis is placed on the practices adopted on groundwater monitoring, water sampling and its analysis.

Open

Project: Clepsydra

Mission Innovative Sustainable Economy

Keywords: Agri food systems, Knowledge and technology, Water management

Partners: IGME-CSIC Spanish National Research Council - Spanish National Geological and Mining Institute

Issues addressed

This Handbook addresses the challenge of managing groundwater resources in Mediterranean regions facing water scarcity, agricultural pressure, and nitrate pollution. nIt tackles gaps in monitoring coverage, data reliability and predictive modelling by documenting existing practices and tools across four pilot sites, aiming to improve decision-making and aquifer protection in sensitive environments.

Added value of the result

The Handbook has a strong transferability potential across the Mediterranean due to the shared climate and the standardized comparison between the four pilot sites. A synthesis of good practices for each site and a matrix for sites monitoring, provide the Handbook a more actionable and decision-making focused nature. It also outlines a set of best practices to enhance monitoring efforts.

Transferability potential

The handbook provides a structured, site-specific overview of groundwater monitoring networks and modelling practices across the four pilot sites. It offers a detailed description of existing instruments, data availability, and network configurationsu2014highlighting which site has the most extensive model. It identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each model, their potential, proposes possible improvements and a common matrix to assess the networks data

Contribution to SDGs

SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation

Contribution to the Strategies and EU Policies

Blue economy