CLEPSYDRA Project Partners Meet in Malta for Collaborative Progress and Study Visits
The CLEPSYDRA Project and GEMS partners, under the Interreg Europe and Interreg Euro-MED programmes, gathered in Malta on October 2-3 2024, for a two-day meeting hosted by The Energy and Water Agency. This important event brought together experts and project partners to share progress, discuss challenges, and conduct study visits aimed at improving water resource management in Mediterranean agricultural environments.
On the first day, participants attended three insightful study visits focused on key aspects of groundwater monitoring:
- Unsaturated Zone Monitoring Network: exploring methods to monitor soil moisture and water infiltration into groundwater.
- Multi-level Sampling Depth Monitoring Network: assessing water quality at various depths within aquifers.
- Upper Coralline Limestone Natural Spring (sampling station): understanding the dynamics of a natural spring in Malta’s geological context.
The group also had the opportunity to visit the National Water Conservation Awareness Centre in Rabat, where they explored strategies for raising public awareness on water conservation.
During the second day of the meeting, discussions focused on the progress of partners’ work, particularly regarding:
- Data analysis from four pilot sites and Living Labs.
- Assessment of carbon and water footprints.
- The design of a Decision Support System (DSS) aimed at improving groundwater monitoring and optimizing decision-making in water-scarce, agriculturally sensitive regions.
The main objective of the CLEPSYDRA project is to enhance the official monitoring network for nitrate pollution in groundwater across the Mediterranean region. By developing innovative tools and improving monitoring systems, the project seeks to tackle the pressing challenge of managing water resources in areas heavily affected by agricultural activities and limited water availability.
Partners from several institutions are actively involved in this initiative:
- Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), CRCC, CUADLL, Spain
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, AQUA-VALLEY, France
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Portugal
- Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale, Italy
- The Energy and Water Agency, Malta
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Greece
These two days in Malta marked a significant step forward in the CLEPSYDRA project, promoting collaboration and innovation to address the critical water challenges faced by Mediterranean regions.
