MEDIS - Towards sustainable water use on Mediterranean islands: addressing conflicting demands and varying hydrological, social and economic conditions

The project MEDIS advanced a rational sustainable and equitable use of water on islands in the Mediterranean and thereby contributed to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Studies were carried out on Corsica, Crete, Cyprus, Mallorca and Sicily. Based on data on hydrology, geophysics and climate improved methodologies for the characterization of aquifers and the monitoring of water consumption; recharge and safe field were developed. Improved agricultural practices aimed to conserve water were specified. A stakeholder analysis and the collection and analysis of information on water demand by various consumers led to mutually agreeable water distribution schemes in a participatory process. This formed the basis for recommendations on equitable and sustainable water management regimes as derived through Multi-Criteria-Analysis under current and future precipitation rates.