Improved strategies to improve water allocation in a Mediterranean watershed.

Globally, the management of water resources is facing increasing challenges due to population growth, economic expansion, and climate change. These factors emphasize the need for sustainable and improved strategies for the allocation system. The current study uses the Water Assessment and Planning System, a decision model, for the Keritis basin, which is a vital water resource for the city of Chania and mainly provides water for domestic and agricultural use. The model incorporates hydrological and meteorological data to simulate surface runoff. Comparisons are made with previous studies on runoff in the area and with literature that has used other hydrological models to simulate other processes. Climate projections will also be incorporated into the model to assess projected precipitation patterns for the coming decades. Part of this work is also to simulate how the planned infrastructure, in particular two dams in a nearby catchment, can help improve water distribution and, most importantly, meet the large demands of agriculture.

This work was supported by OurMED PRIMA Program project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation under grant agreement No. 2222.