"Measure, Monitor and Control": the path towards good management of Water Resources in Portugal

Last week, the 14th Groundwater Seminar took place last week at the University Lusofona, with CERENA contributing as a sponsor. The seminar featured a series of presentations on the state of groundwater globally, with a specific focus on Portugal. Topics included case studies, management solutions, and the impact of climate change on water resources. Roundtable discussions also provided an opportunity to explore strategies for protecting aquifers. Maria Paula Mendes and José Manuel Marques, colleagues from CERENA, were part of the honor committee of the event. Professor Manuel Marques also gave a talk on the role of isotopic hydrology in enhancing hydrogeological models, with a case study from Castelo de Vide, Portugal.

In his opening message, the President of the Portuguese Association for Water Resources (APRH) highlighted the importance of measuring and monitoring groundwater to effectively manage this vital resource, emphasizing the need to strengthen knowledge and public management mechanisms. The conclusions from the seminar will contribute to a global report on water resources in Portugal, to be presented at the 17th Water Congress in 2025.