DEEPWATER-CE project for MAR solutions to protect Central European resources endangered by climate change

Изображение

Last month, the DEEPWATER-CE project came to an end. This EU-funded project, with a duration of 3 years, aimed for the development of an integrated implementation framework for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) solutions to facilitate the protection of Central European water resources endangered by climate change and user conflict. IGRAC contributed to this project with advice and technical assistance. 

About DEEPWATER-CE

DEEPWATER-CE was a project that has brought together 7 partners from 5 Central European countries, namely: Hungary, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Croatia

The main aim of this cooperation was to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach to implementing solutions for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR).

Partners have tackled a growing problem that affects more and more people, which is a lack of sufficient and, in places, good quality groundwater. The methods they have used involve managed aquifer recharge techniques. In case of prolonged droughts or general water shortages, this enables groundwater to be abstracted for human consumption, agriculture, or industry.

As a result of the DEEPWATER-CE project, different MAR solutions are now better known to a larger audience thanks to trainings and collaboration with international stakeholders.

Project outcomes

Toolbox

The project consortium has developed a Transnational Decision Support Toolbox in the form of a handbook, in which a methodology designed to help stakeholders select the appropriate location for a MAR facility is proposed. This handbook is a set of selection criteria to support the suitability of a given region for the chosen MAR type.

The results of the pilot actions, tools and proposals were developed for the implementation of MAR, an overview of the relevant legislative acts was made, and the conclusions were presented to the decision-makers and stakeholders in the partner countries, where a lot of interest and positive feedback was received.

Long-term impacts

DEEPWATER-CE

In a broader, long-term perspective, this innovative project will help to increase the security of our and future generations' access to drinking water and irrigation water resources in the face of constantly changing climatic conditions in Central Europe.

IGRAC's role in DEEPWATER-CE

IGRAC has provided assistance in the identification of the most appropriate techniques and sites for implementing MAR in Central Europe. In addition, MAR suitability maps and climate exposure maps, that were produced based on the methodology tested in the four partner countries, have now been made available on IGRAC's Global Groundwater Information System (GGIS).