Significant Solutions to deal with water scarcity In Greece, it aspires to offer the project “Waterwise”, an initiative implemented by scientists at the Democritus University of Thrace, in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and three large IT companies in Athens and Thessaloniki. This project attempts to create the necessary infrastructure for the safety of water management, both for the present and for the near future.

Researchers focus on areas with water scarcity problems Throughout Greece, aiming to collect exact data on the aqueous needs of each place. At the same time, the consumption of water by residents and visitors is recorded to provide a clear picture of the actual use of this valuable resource.

Given the increasing tourist pressure – Especially during the summer months – and intense aquatic imbalances, “Waterwise” seeks scientifically founded, realistic proposals for climate change. The main objective is the Evaluation of future water demandtaking into account even the most unfavorable scenarios, so that the appropriate projects that will ensure the adequacy of the water reserve.

Innovative platform and artificial intelligence technology

As Dimitris Emmanouloudis, professor at the Democritus University of Thrace explains, the project begins with the creation of a digital platform where the inputs and outflows of water in each area will be recorded – both superficial and underground, including evaporation – based on different climate scenarios (‘Unfavorable, normally or favorable’). Using an original software based on artificial intelligence subsystems Large data analysis, future water consumption scenarios for home, agricultural and livestock uses and for tourists are provided.

Critical parameter is the Calculation of aqueous fingerprint of tourists – Given the uncertainty about how much water each visitor consumes and the intended number of visitors each year. According to Mr. Emmanouloudis, securing this data is the key to accurately assessing the water balance of each area.

To this end, the scientific team has created questionnaire addressed to tourists, mainly in island areas. The aim is to capture their consumer behavior and measure the actual use of water when staying. The questionnaire covers accommodation features, individual and collective consumption, as well as saving issues, and can be completed online or via QR code in hosting areas.

The answers form a huge database, connected to the WaterWise platform, allowing data analysis and processing for each area separately. In this way, the overall aqueous footprint of tourists is calculated locally, providing critical information on the annual design of aqueous adequacy.

Strategic Application and Treatment of Water Crisis

Knowledge of all the parameters involved in the “equation” of inputs – outputs allows for the safe design of the species, number and size of required projects: from collection of rainwater (dams, tanks, reservoirs) to solutions desalination. Thus, it is ensured that each area has the water reserves needed.

According to the scientific team, the first stage of the project focuses on six areas: Santorini, Corfu, Chios, Ikaria Fourni, Thassos and Drama. The ultimate goal, however, is to apply “Waterwise” throughout the territory as multidimensional tool of strategic importance to tackle the aqueous crisis and to enhance the resilience to the challenges of climate change.

As the members of the group complete, “Through the combination of data, technologies of artificial intelligence and prognostic algorithms, the project offers substantial solutions to problems related to the uncertainty of water availability, increasing consumer pressures and the need for sustainable planning. The social influence of the project is equally important, directing immediately to enhancing water safety, saving natural resources and strengthening water management. “.

To participate in the survey, interested parties can fill in the questionnaires in the links below:

  • Questionnaire Waterwise In Greek: https://forms.office.com/e/rddnmjwjky
  • Waterwise Questionnaire In English: https://forms.office.com/e/08hdnbzatm

Ioanna Kardara