Demo site 1

Barcelona’s water cycle relies on various sources: Llobregat river, Baix Llobregat aquifer, Besós aquifer and the flow transfer from the Ter River.

Since 1955, an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Managed Aquifer Recharge system has been used to enhance water availability, utilizing pre-treated surface water from the Llobregat river at Sant Joan Despí Drinking Water Treatment Plant and two recharge ponds in Sant Viçent dels Horts.

The Llobregat River, which is much smaller than other European rivers in flow rate, faces significant water stress and scarcity risks, highlighting the need for optimized water resources management.

Due to this, there are currently different managed aquifer recharge processes taking place in the area: on one hand, an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Managed Aquifer Recharge system with pre-treated surface water from the Llobregat river at Sant Joan Despí Drinking Water Treatment Plant and, on the other hand, two recharge ponds with reclaimed water in Sant Viçent dels Horts.

Improve the resilience of the overall system by increasing the quantity of groundwater resources in the Baix Llobregat aquifer.

Establish relationships between the Managed Aquifer Recharge water footprint and piezometric levels.

Leverage the establishment of a dynamic tariff for reclaimed water that allows cost recovery among end users of Baix Llobregat aquifer groundwater.

Improve social acceptance, reliability, and trust to promote Managed Aquifer Recharge with reclaimed water as a structural solution beyond drought episodes in the Llobregat basin.