First year achievements of Gabardine project in Portugal

Abstract

This paper describes the first year achievements of Gabardine project in Portugal. The major objectives of GABARDINE “Groundwater Artificial Recharge Based On Alternative Sources Of Water: Advanced Integrated Technologies And Management” project are: (1) explore the viability of supplementing existing water resources in semi-arid areas with alternative sources of water that could be exploited in the context of an integrated water resources management approach, (2) investigate the feasibility of using aquifers as the primal facility for the large scale storage of these alternative water sources and investigate techniques for their artificial recharge (AR) and injection of the produced alternative water, including a monitoring of water quality and purification by natural attenuation and filtration processes, (3) evaluate and quantify the potential impact of degrading factors, such as climate change, changes in the quality of water, salt water etc. on the global quality and usability of the resource, by developing tools for risk mapping, for modelling and for monitoring, and to propose measures for preventing or minimizing, and mitigating their impact. The alternative water sources are surface water surpluses generated during rainy seasons, treated effluent, surpluses of desalinated water, that are expected in periods of low water demand or high water availability (from natural resources) and exploitation of saline water bodies that could be used for adequate agricultural practices or used as raw material for low-cost desalination.