On 5-6 May 2013, DEMEAU project partners and experts in Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) met in Barcelona to discuss their latest work: a European Catalogue of MAR sites with over 200 identified MAR sites and their characteristics. The meeting helped the further definition case studies and participants took advantage of the synergies between the multidisciplinary team.
DEMEAU partners working on Managed Aquifer Recharge met in Barcelona after the first six months of the project and following the completion of the first task (European Catalogue of MAR sites). The participating partners included Amphos21 (the hosting partner), CETaqua, KWR and KWB. The objective was to discuss further improvements of the European Catalogue of MAR sites and how to cooperate and integrate data from other existing databases. In addition, an approach to determine MAR impact on groundwater resources with a focus on emerging substances, currently under development by Amphos21, was developed. Finally, this face to face meeting, which will take place every six months throughout the duration of the project, allowed the partners to make significant progress in the task development as well as to take advantage of the synergies between multidisciplinary scientists, technicians and policy-makers.
The MAR catalogue, which identified and characterised more than 200 European sites, will be one of the first results of the DEMEAU project. The aim of the Catalogue is to benefit from the existing information and to highlight MAR as a widespread technology across Europe. On the basis of an in-depth statistical analysis a classification of MAR sites will be developed that will enable to identify typical case studies for further work. (Update: the catalogue is finalised, the documentation can be downloaded here.)
To conclude the meeting there was a field trip to the Sant Vicenç dels Horts MAR facilities, using the aquifer of the Llobregat River. This system has been recently improved through the installation of a reactive organic layer in the bottom of the infiltration pond, which enhances the effectiveness of emerging pollutants elimination as part of a LIFE+ ENSAT project. The Llobregat aquifer is considered a strategic resource for the water supply in the Barcelona metropolitan area, and the facility forms part of the actions carried out by the regional water administration to fight against water scarcity in the area.