The RESWATER project was presented during the EGU General Assembly 2026, held in Vienna, Austria between 3 and 8 May 2026, through the presentation “Implementation of Non-Conventional Water Resources for Resilient Urban Water Management: insights from the RESWATER project” delivered by Elena Cristiano from the university of Cagliari, the Italian partner of RESWATER.
The presentation highlighted the increasing pressures on freshwater resources across the Mediterranean region driven by climate change, demographic dynamics and growing urban water demand. Particular attention was given to Mediterranean urban coastal catchments, which face significant challenges linked to water scarcity, contamination pressures and seawater intrusion affecting freshwater aquifers.
During the session, the RESWATER project presented its work on strengthening water supply security through the implementation of Non-Conventional Water Resources solutions and resilient urban water management approaches. The presentation showcased how the project is addressing critical urban water-demand hotspots across the Mediterranean while supporting sustainable and climate-resilient water management practices.
The presentation also highlighted how RESWATER builds upon methodologies and experiences developed through previous and ongoing European initiatives, including ARSINOE, NAWAMED and NUSTALGIC, reinforcing continuity, knowledge transfer and the upscaling of best practices in resilient urban water management.
A key focus of the presentation was the development of an online catalogue of decentralized Non-Conventional Water Resources solutions based on the experience gained through seven urban demonstration units located across the partner countries involved in the project, namely Malta, Greece, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Egypt and Italy.
The project is also contributing towards the development of a policy framework supporting resilient Urban Water Management Plans through stakeholder engagement activities, local Living Labs and a regional Community of Practice, helping strengthen collaboration between policymakers, researchers, municipalities, water authorities and citizens.
The participation of RESWATER in international scientific events such as the EGU General Assembly 2026 contributes to strengthening knowledge exchange and promoting innovative approaches to sustainable and resilient water management across the Mediterranean region.
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