Water in dry land
Water, being the essential ingredient for agriculture, farming, biodiversity and human life, is the source of life for communities. In arid areas, it is often very challenging to assess just how much water there is, which is pivotal for managing water resources. The EU-funded project 'Floodwater recharge of alluvial aquifers in dryland environments' (WADE) applied advanced solutions to evaluate water resources by monitoring flooding and aquifers over the long term. It proposed an innovative method to measure sustainable water resources in order to help with water management. To achieve this, WADE found ways to extrapolate data from available records on floods and climate change. It quantified floodwater and its behaviour, pinpointing active recharge sections that could help water management in the future. This was accompanied by efforts to raise public awareness among communities with respect to water resources and alluvial aquifers in arid areas. It also involved furthering water management through stronger collaboration with scientists, engineers, local inhabitants and other stakeholders, ultimately helping to restore balance to the ecosystem. WADE categorised sites according to hydrological, geomorphic and flood-related conditions, incorporating soil and sediment data as well. Using high-tech monitoring equipment, it looked at reconstructed surface and subsurface water behaviour during floods to identify loss in water transmission. Lastly, the project undertook an in-depth study of the historical and socioeconomic components linked to water management in order to refine how this precious resource is managed. It disseminated its results and accompanying resource management tools to concerned stakeholders, bringing dry areas of the world one step closer to economic prosperity and well-being.
