Building drought resilience underground

Europe is facing a dual water challenge, with prolonged scarcity affecting some regions while intense rainfall and flooding threaten others. Declining rainfall and excessive groundwater extraction are reducing natural aquifer recharge, while flooding can overwhelm drainage systems, damage infrastructure and contaminate water sources.

Responding to these pressures requires water to be retained during wet periods rather than drained away immediately. Better maintenance can reduce losses from distribution networks, while reclaimed wastewater, agricultural drainage and other alternative sources can relieve pressure on rivers and groundwater. Wetlands, restored floodplains and other nature-based solutions can slow runoff and support aquifer recharge.

Meanwhile, digital monitoring can help authorities anticipate shortages, floods and water-quality problems. Infrastructure planning must account for future climate uncertainty and coordinate the needs of agriculture, energy, transport, industry and environmental protection.

Within this broader challenge, MARCLAIMED focuses on strengthening resilience to water scarcity. The approach suggests an underground water storage that is less exposed to evaporation than surface water. The project combines Managed Aquifer Recharge with sources such as reclaimed wastewater and agricultural drainage water. Together, these measures can reduce dependence on rivers during droughts and relieve pressure on overused groundwater resources.

The project is being tested at European demonstration sites in Barcelona, Comporta and Texel, each with different environmental and social conditions. These sites are helping researchers assess water quality, infiltration rates, system performance, environmental risks and overall feasibility.