Recently, the European project NINFA, coordinated by Leitat, held its workshop “Understanding Groundwater Through Innovation” at Los Alcázares Town Hall (Murcia, Spain). The event brought together representatives from public authorities, research organisations, technology centres, and industry to explore innovative solutions for sustainable groundwater management and protection.
The workshop provided a unique platform for knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration, fostering dialogue on the future of groundwater resources and the role of innovation in addressing growing environmental challenges.
Addressing Regional Water Challenges Through Innovation
The event was officially opened by Mario Ginés Pérez Cervera, Mayor-President of Los Alcázares, and Ignacio Villanueva Jover, from the Hydrological Planning Office of the Segura River Basin Authority. Both speakers highlighted the environmental challenges facing the region, particularly those related to groundwater quality, water resource management, and the protection of the Mar Menor ecosystem.
As coordinator of the NINFA project, Leitat presented the project’s vision and ongoing work to improve groundwater monitoring, assessment, and management through innovative digital and technological solutions.
Ainhoa Gaudes, representing Leitat, introduced the project’s objectives, methodology, and expected impacts, emphasizing the importance of science-based approaches and stakeholder collaboration in ensuring the sustainable use of groundwater resources.
The session continued with a presentation by Irene Fernández Fernández from Aqualia, who showcased the innovative technologies being developed within NINFA and provided updates on the pilot activities being carried out to validate new groundwater management strategies.
Supporting Better Decision-Making with Advanced Digital Tools
One of the key highlights of the workshop was the presentation of the NINFA Decision Support System (DSS) by Georgios Manassakis. The DSS is an advanced digital platform designed to support data-driven decision-making by integrating monitoring data, modelling capabilities, and predictive tools.
By providing stakeholders with reliable and actionable information, the platform enables better assessment of groundwater conditions, early identification of risks, and the development of more effective management strategies. The DSS represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainable groundwater governance and resource protection.
The workshop also benefited from the contribution of Ignacio Villanueva, whose institutional and technical perspective provided valuable insights into current groundwater management challenges and regulatory frameworks within the Segura River Basin.
Promoting Collaboration Across Projects and Disciplines
A key feature of the event was the roundtable discussion moderated by Henrietta Whyte from IMT Atlantique. The session brought together experts from several national and European initiatives to discuss common challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned in the field of groundwater management.
Participants included:
- Mª Mercedes Guerrero (CEBAS-CSIC) – BELICH Project
- Virginia Robles (IGME-CSIC) – CLEPSYDRA Project
- Miguel Ángel Suárez Valdés (CETENMA) – NPower Project
- Ana Isabel Paredes Ortiz (CETENMA) – SEACURE Project
The discussion focused on critical topics such as groundwater pollution, innovative monitoring approaches, digitalisation, technological advancements, and the integration of scientific evidence into policy-making and water governance frameworks.
Participants highlighted the importance of cross-project collaboration and knowledge sharing to accelerate innovation and maximise the impact of research and technological developments across Europe.
Strengthening the Future of Sustainable Water Management
The NINFA workshop demonstrated the crucial role that innovation, collaboration, and scientific research play in addressing groundwater challenges and supporting the transition towards more sustainable and resilient water management.
