PT EN

MARSOL – Demonstrating Managed Aquifer Recharge as a Solution to Water Scarcity and Drought

Thematic Area
Sustainable Development and International Cooperation
Innovation
Location
Region of Algarve
Region of Alentejo
Application Areas
Water Resources
Scope
R&D
Demo Site PT2 SBMessines soil-aquifer treatment basins 2016 17
Demo Site PT2 Cerro do Bardo MAR test April 2016
Demo Site PT1 Campina de Faro Clogging test July 2014
Soil-Aquifer Treatment as a passive solution to enhance treated wastewater quality at SB Messines
Geophysical and tracer tests preparation at Rio Seco river bed infiltration basins, PT
NaCl tracer test at Rio Seco river bed infiltration basins, PT
Rio Seco river bed infiltration basins construction

Entity

Description

MARSOL project aims to demonstrate that Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques are able to secure 'excess' water in surplus periods and store it under ground for further use during periods of scarcity. Managed Aquifer Recharge can also be utilised to combat sea water intrusion in coastal areas and to give pre-treated waste water a final clean-up.

Objectives

  • MARSOL deals with some major questions concerning the method such as risks, water quality, and technical feasibility.

Results

The project has examined eight field sites- in Greece,Portugal,Spain,Malta,Italy and Israel –how the different specific ways water of varying origins and qualities (such as desalinated sea water, river water, and treated wastewater)can be stored in the ground with different techniques.

It has developed guidelines for MAR site selection, technical realization, monitoring strategies, and modelling approaches, to offer stakeholders a comprehensive toolbox for MAR implementation. http://www.marsol.eu

Next challenges

The main challenges include the systematization of the applicability of the technical solutions and the knowledge transferring into practice, including the challenges of EU administrative law in the implementation.