WATERSens has officially kicked off!
A new 4-year journey begins: WATERSENS has officially kicked off!
What is WATERSENS about?
In recent years climate change has caused both floods and rainless periods around the world, impacting society and economic sectors globally. The Mediterranean and Southern Africa are among the most impacted by drought. Moreover, as the share of the world’s population living in urban settings is expected to rise to 80% by 2050, the demand for adaptable water solutions will intensify, while rural communities will suffer from depopulation and a progressive lack of services. Decentralised water management (DWM) solutions such as wetlands, rainwater harvesting systems or green roofs can contribute to maximize water resource use, by treating wastewater close to its source and repurposing it for suitable uses, especially in areas where centralised water management is not technically or economically feasible.
Moreover, DWM represent a great opportunity to create a sustainable circular economy around Nature-based Solutions (NbS), involve local communities and increase quality of life with more environmentally friendly infrastructure. However, despite their many benefits, adoption of decentralised solutions at EU level remains low due to legislative barriers, regulatory complexity, and lack of social acceptance. The WATERSENS project’s overall goal will be to overcome these challenges by providing technological evidence on the benefits brought by DWM solutions and an integrated decision framework to aid water authorities and related stakeholders in the selection, design, integration and operation of these DWMs.
For more details and to follow along on the project journey, check out the project website!