ASAP - Actions for systemic aquifer protection: implementation and demonstration of a Protocol to scale down groundwater vulnerability to pollution due to overexploitation

The project aimed to demonstrate the economical and technical viability of a procedure for preventing the over-exploitation of groundwater systems. This was achieved through an integrated approach to optimising networks that combine technologies such as leak detectors, GIS and modelling systems and simulators. First, an analysis and modelling of the abstraction and water supply systems were carried out and then hidden leakages in the network, as well as of the quantitative requirements to achieve the improvement targets were assessed. This, together with a risk assessment, enabled the team to identify and prioritise the main interventions to be carried out on the water supply network. Then, the project moved on to hydraulic modelling of the network and detection and repair of significant leaks and pressure regulation of the network. The next stage involved monitoring with real time data collection of network pressures and flow rates as well as of aquifer piezometric heads; and re-calibration of the hydraulic model and of the remote control system through dynamic feedback between the two.