REGENERATIVE & NATURE-BASED WATER SOLUTIONS
HORIZON 2020 project on Innovative, regenerative and circular solutions for nature-based water management, based on circular value chains.
Water management in Mediterranean islands is currently fragmented and there are several barriers, which need to be overcome in order to close water loops and contribute towards the environmental and economic development of these regions. Mediterranean islands, in particular, face significant challenges in terms of water management and conservation. Water reserves are scarce, while the high touristic activities during the summer months stress the limited water reserves.
To overcome these challenges, a new HORIZON 2020 project, HYDROUSA is set to launch in July 2018 to reimagine a water resilient economy, mitigate climate change and reform the agro-food system.
HYDROUSA aims to provide innovative solutions for Mediterranean islands in terms of water/wastewater treatment and management, which will close the water loops and will also boost their agricultural and energy profile. HYDROUSA goes beyond the current water and wastewater management practices by adopting innovative, nature-based water management solutions for different types of water characterised by low energy footprint. Clear water loops will be demonstrated, recovering added value products, while integrating and interacting with the local market.
These technologies will be demonstrated at six demonstration sites at full scale in three Mediterranean islands (Lesvos, Mykonos and Tinos) whereas the transferability of HYDROUSA solutions will be assessed in 25 early adopter cases in Mediterranean coastal areas and islands and at several water-stressed rural or peri-urban non-Mediterranean areas.
The additional services that will be provided with the innovative approaches will lead to a win-win situation for the economy, the environment, and the community. Comprehensive business models will be developed to demonstrate the economic viability of the aforementioned technologies and services as well as the resulting economic benefits from the recovered materials and energy.
HYDROUSA will not only develop and demonstrate innovative water services, but will revolutionise the water value chains in Mediterranean areas from water use up to sewage treatment and reuse. It will change the human water cycle by valorising non-conventional water resources, which are currently not being exploited.
The consortium of the HYDROUSA project consists of 27 high competent organisations involved in water management, agricultural activities, ICT and, business/marketing, dissemination/ communication spanning throughout the whole water supply chain.
The project is led and coordinated by National Technical University of Athens, (NTUA).
Contact Person:
Simos Malamis
Email: smalamis@central.ntua.gr
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HYDROUSA will officially launch in July 2018. Follow the project’s first steps on twitter @HydrousaProject.
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European media and press enquiries:
Dimitris Kokkinakis
Impact Hub Athens
Email: dimitris.kokkinakis@impacthub.net
The HYDROUSA has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 776643.
