Good practices Handbook on groundwater networks and models in pilot sites
Clepsydra is dedicated to safeguarding aquifers through an intelligent system that monitors and analyzes hydrogeological data, helping to address water scarcity and prevent groundwater pollution. 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.
Project
Clepsydra 
Mission
Innovative Sustainable Economy
Production year
2024
Type of result
Report
Target audience
Higher education and research organisation, Local public authority, National public authority, Regional public authority, Sectoral agency
Covered areas
Coastal area, Rural area, Urban area
Keywords
Agri-food systems, Knowledge and technology transfer, Water management
Partners
Spanish National Research Council - 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 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 configurations, highlighting 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
Transferability potential
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.
Contribution to SDGs
SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation
Contribution to the Strategies and EU Policies
A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU
