On October 22, 2024, the Clepsydra project hosted a Groundwater Open Day at Quinta da Cholda in Lisbon, Portugal. The event was part of the Local Living Lab initiative, coordinated by ISA (Instituto Superior de Agronomia) and LEAF (Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food).
This public event aimed to raise awareness and foster dialogue around the importance of groundwater resources in the Mediterranean, particularly in the context of agricultural water scarcity. The day began with an introduction to the Clepsydra project, an Interreg Europe initiative focused on developing advanced monitoring and decision-support systems to improve groundwater management in water-stressed regions.
Participants were treated to a series of insightful presentations by leading experts in the field:
- The role of groundwater in the urban water cycle and its often-overlooked importance in sustaining everyday life.
- The importance of groundwater for irrigation, especially in Mediterranean agriculture.
- Sustainable groundwater management practices, presented by Carina Arranja from FENAREG, emphasizing techniques to preserve both quantity and quality of water resources.
- Innovative irrigation solutions, shared by João Coimbra, showcasing advanced methods to enhance water efficiency in farming.
In addition, attendees were introduced to a decision-support model designed to optimize water use in sensitive agricultural environments. This model demonstrated practical solutions to reduce nitrate leaching and excess water use while maintaining crop productivity.
The day concluded with a hands-on field visit to local groundwater monitoring wells, offering participants a close look at the instruments and methodologies used to evaluate groundwater quality. The visit was followed by an open discussion session, providing a platform for attendees to share ideas, reflect on the presentations, and explore strategies for sustainable groundwater conservation moving forward.
