IMPROVING GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION THROUGH CITIZEN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE eGROUNDWATER PROJECT

The eGROUNDWATER project aims to improve sustainable, participatory groundwater management in the Mediterranean region by developing and testing Enhanced Information Systems (EIS) that integrate citizen science and information and communication technology (ICT) tools. A key component of the EIS is a mobile app that will allow farmers and other groundwater users to report groundwater levels in their wells and the amount of water used for irrigation and other purposes. At the same time, the app will provide users with information about the state of the aquifer and recommendations for sustainable water use (for example, short-term and seasonal predictions of irrigation water needs).

The eGROUNDWATER app has the potential to be a valuable tool for improving the sustainable use and management of aquifers in the Mediterranean region. By gathering real-time data from a wide range of users, the app will help to create a more complete and accurate picture of groundwater conditions and usage. Policymakers and resource managers can use this information to make informed decisions about the allocation and use of water resources. It can also help to identify potential problems and areas where conservation efforts may be needed.

The development of an app that meets the needs of the users required first to understand their perspectives and experiences related to the groundwater body. eGROUNDWATER has organized interviews and meetings in each case study to characterize the vision of the different agents on the groundwater bodies, and to try to build a collective framing of the current groundwater status and use in the area. On these meetings, the users identified lack of information about the aquifer as a critical issue to solve in order to advance towards a sustainable management of the resource.

In addition to providing valuable data and information, the eGROUNDWATER app has the potential to engage and educate farmers and other users about the importance of sustainable water management. The app can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the aquifer's health among users, as it offers personalized feedback and information about the use of water and the aquifer’s health. This, in turn, could lead to more responsible water use practices and help to preserve groundwater resources for the long-term.

The eGROUNDWATER project and its accompanying mobile app offer a promising approach to improving the sustainable use and management of aquifers in the Mediterranean region. The engagement of stakeholders in the development process and the collection and sharing of useful data and information through the app can help promoting education and awareness about water resource management. These efforts can help to foster a greater understanding of the importance of these resources and encourage more sustainable use of aquifers in the region, significantly contributing to the long-term sustainability of Mediterranean aquifers.

Acknowledgements:

This study has received funding from the eGROUNDWATER project (GA n. 1921) a project from the PRIMA programme, supported by Horizon 2020, the European Union's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.