Water Resource Management


Below are the research projects related to water resources management in which the EESMU has participated. These projects are broadly categorized into the following thematic areas:

  • Integrated water resources management in areas characterized by qualitative and/or quantitative water scarcity and the impacts of climate change.
  • Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Member States, with particular emphasis on economic analysis and water services pricing.
  • Desalination & design of desalination systems.
  • Research on the current market potential for desalination plants powered by renewable energy sources (RES), including the overall planning, and the technical, economic, and environmental assessment of RES-powered desalination systems.
AquaNES: Demonstrating synergies in combined natural and engineered processes for water treatment systems
 

The AquaNES project aims to act as a catalyst for the implementation of innovative water and wastewater treatment methods through enhanced combinations of natural and engineered processes. The natural methods to be tested fall into three main categories: bank filtration (BF), managed aquifer recharge (MAR), and constructed wetlands (CW), combined with appropriate engineered methods for pre- and post-treatment.

The implementation of the project is based on 13 pilot applications across Europe, India, and Israel, covering a wide range of local, climatic, and hydrogeological conditions to test combined natural and engineered treatment systems. This is achieved through the collaboration of research institutions, technology providers, water service providers, and end users. The specific objectives of the project include the following:

  • Highlighting the benefits of applying post-treatment methods for the provision of safe drinking water
  • Demonstrating the potential for water storage and treatment in soil–aquifer systems in combination with appropriate pre-treatment systems
  • Pilot implementation of combinations of constructed wetlands with appropriate pre- and post-treatment systems for wastewater
  • Demonstrating the potential for reducing operational costs and energy consumption through such systems
  • Development of design guidelines for nature-based and engineered water treatment systems, based on existing large-scale industrial applications
  • Identification of the market for such systems in Europe and internationally

Overall, the project aims to highlight nature-based and engineered water treatment systems as sustainable solutions to challenges such as water scarcity, urban flooding, and the removal of micropollutants from the water cycle. The project is expected to contribute to the thematic priorities of the European Innovation Partnership on Water, particularly those related to 'Water Recycling and Reuse', 'Water and Wastewater Treatment', synergies between 'Water and Energy Management', 'Ecosystem Services', 'Water Governance and Systems', and 'Decision Support and Monitoring Tools'.  

EC, DG Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 Programme
2016-2019
 
EdGeWIsE: Energy-Water nexus
 

In the near future, the management of water and energy will be conducted in an integrated manner, both in urban environments and rural areas. The former refers to the concept of "smart cities," where urban infrastructure is managed in a holistic way to ensure the optimal performance of individual systems. In the latter, the intensive use of water resources is combined with the modernization of agriculture through monitoring networks, which require increased energy use. Despite the differences, both urban and rural settings face similar challenges that can be addressed through common approaches. Water and wastewater management should rely on low-energy consumption technologies, while the use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) is characterized by low efficiency. Furthermore, the aforementioned processes require a continuous energy supply, whereas energy from RES cannot be guaranteed at all times.

The EdGeWIsE project will contribute to the integrated management of energy and water systems. The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

  1. Improvement and promotion of efficiency through the use of data from low-energy consumption wireless monitoring networks.
  2. Identification of the potential for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in urban and rural environments.
  3. Identification and development of methods for the exploitation and storage of water and energy.
  4. Promotion of the smart use of available water and energy resources.
  5. Analysis of the impacts of micro-hydroelectric solutions on surface water systems.

To achieve the above objectives, the project will develop research activities related to solar and wind energy systems, wireless networks powered by fuel cells, and energy storage and production in water systems. 

ERANET-MED Programme
2016-2019

Ecowater: Development of eco-efficiency meso-level indicators for technology assessment
It aims at the development of meso-level eco-efficiency indicators for technology assessment, through a systems’ approach, and is implemented by a Consortium of 9 Institutes and Universities across Europe.

EC, DG Research and Innovation, 7th Framework Programme
2011-2014

Drought-R&SPI: Fostering European
Drought Research and Science-Policy Interfacing

Drought management plans and an improved science-policy interfacing that will reduce vulnerability to future drought and the risks they pose for Europe.

EC, DG Research and Innovation, 7th Framework Programme
2011-2014

Coroado: Technologies for Water Recycling and Reuse in Latin America Content: Assement, Decision Tools and Imlementable Strategies under an uncertain future
Collaborative Project (small or medium-scale focused research project) for specific cooperation actions (SICA) dedicated to international cooperation partner countries (focus on Latin America)

EC, DG Research and Innovation, 7th Framework Programme
2011-2015

WatERP: Water Enhanced Resource Planning “Where water supply meets demand”

WatERP will develop a web-based “Open Management Platform” (OMP) supported by real-time knowledge on water supply and demand, enabling the entire water distribution system to be viewed in an integrated and customized way.

EC, DG CONNECT, 7th Framework Programme
2012-2015
 
WASSERMed: Water availability and security in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean

The WASSERMed project analyses, in a multi-disciplinary way, ongoing and future climate induced changes in hydrological budgets and extremes in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East under the frame of threats to national and human security, including the assessment of changes in mean flows, frequency and magnitude of extreme precipitation (intensity and duration), surface run-off, stream flows ground water balance, as well as social and economic factors.

EC, DG Research and Innovation, 7th Framework Programme
2010-2013
 
XEROCHORE

An Exercise to Assess Research Needs and Policy Choices in Areas of Drought.

EC, DG Research
2006-2009
 
OPEN-GAIN

Optimal Engineering Design for Dependable Water and Power Generation in Remote Areas Using Renewable Energies and Intelligent Automation.

EC, DG Research
2006-2009
 
INECO

Institutional and Economic Instruments for Sustainable Water Management in the Mediterranean Region.

EC, INCO Programme, 6th Framework Programme
2006-2009
 
SWITCH

Sustainable Water management Improves Tomorrow’s Cities’ Health.

EC, DG Research, 6th Framework Programme
2006-2011
 
AquaStress IP

Mitigation of Water Stress through new Approaches to Integrating Management, Technical Economic and Institutional Instruments.

EC, DG Research, 6th Framework Programme
Priority 1.1.6.3 “Global Change and Ecosystems” 511231
2005-2008
 
Nostrum-DSS

Network on Governance, Science and Technology for Sustainable Water Resource Management in the Mediterranean.

EC, DG Research, 6th Framework Programme-INCO
INCO-CT-2004-509158
2004-2007
 
Water quality assessment in a water supply system.

Development of a methodology for assessing water quality in a water supply system, taking into account the environmental cost due to pollution.

EPEAEK, Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs
2005-2006
 
Water Agenda

Development and implementation of an integrated water resources management policy in a watershed, based on a public social agreement grounded in the principles of Agenda 21 and the guidelines of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC.

EC, DG Environment, LIFE Environment Programme
LIFE04/ENV/GR/000099
2004-2007
 
Implementation of Articles 5 & 6 of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC in Cyprus
Water Development Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment of Cyprus 39/03/61
2004
 
Formulation of the water management plans for the hydrological departments of Epirus, Thessaly and Western, and Eastern Macedonia, Greece
Ministry of Development
2003-2006
 
 
ARID CLUSTER

Strengthening complementarity and exploitation of results related RTD projects dealing with water resources use and management in arid and semi-arid regions.

EC, DG Research, 5th Framework Programme, EESD
EVK1-CT-2002-80018
2003-2006
 
WaterStrategyMan

Developing Strategies for Regulating and Managing Water Resources and Demand in Water Deficient Regions.

EC, DG Research, 5th Framework Programme, EESD
EVK1-CT-2001-00098
2002-2005
 
ISWSS-Cyclades

Creation of a Water Supply and Sewerage Services System (WSSS) on the Cycladic Islands.

Ε.Υ.Δ.Α.Π. Α.Ε.
2000-2002
 
Design of a reverse osmosis desalination plant with the assistance of computer software.
GSRT (General Secretariat for Research and Technology)
1991 ED
1993-1995
 
 
MedCoDesal

Mediterranean cooperation for water desalination policies in the perspective of a sustainable development.

EC, DG XII, INCO-DC Program
ERBIC18CT97014
1998-2000
 
ProDesal

Towards the large scale development of decentralised water desalination.

EC, DG XII, APAS Programme
1995-1996