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Groundwater monitoring and Decision Support System development to optimise decision making in sensitive and water-scarce agricultural environments in the Mediterranean context (CLEPSYDRA)
The Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences of the Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), located in Patras, Greece, is partner in the recently funded Interreg Euro-MED project CLEPSYDRA (Euro-MED0200626).
CLEPSYDRA aims to develop and test a smart system (including the development of a Decision Support System – DSS) for monitoring and interpreting hydrogeological data on aquifer behavior and improving the environmental dimension of socio-economic activities. Particular attention is paid to groundwater quality in agricultural and irrigation activities due to nitrate pollution. By improving current monitoring networks and developing a DSS, water and agriculture professionals will be able to make environmentally friendly decisions based on reliable scientific data.
For the implementation of the project, 4 main activities are developed: 
- Assessment of monitoring capacities in pilot areas and identification of key gaps
- Tools development for groundwater data monitoring and interpretation
- Piloting in real conditions
- Capacity building and social awareness
The project focuses on boosting collaboration and capabilities among stakeholders in the 4helix sector, aiming to produce significant results. It involves 9 partners from 6 Mediterranean countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, and Greece), including public authorities, academia, agriculture, groundwater users, and a water cluster, making its impact widespread, namely:
- IGME-CSIC :
Spanish National Geological and Mining Institute – Spanish National Research Council | Spain - CRCC : Community of Irrigators of Campo de Cartagena | Spain
- CUADLL : Llobregat Water Users Association | Spain
- IRD: Research Institute for Development | France
- AQUA-VALLEY | France
- ISA LEAF : Superior Institute of Agriculture / Linking environment agriculture and forests | Portugal
- EWA : Energy and Water Agency | Malta
- FORTH / ICE-HT : Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas / Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences | Greece
- UNICAS : University of Cassino and Southern Lazio | Italy
Spanish National Geological and Mining Institute – Spanish National Research Council | SpainPrincipal Investigator for FORTH/ICE-HT is Dr. George Constantinides. The teams of Dr. George Fouskas and Prof. Christakis Paraskeva are also participating in the project.
For more information : Project website