AWARD: new water resources for more resilient cities

Climate change is making both drought periods and intense rainfall more frequent. To address these phenomena, relying only on traditional water sources is no longer enou

Rainwater, runoff water and treated wastewater can become alternative resources, to be recovered and used safely in order to reduce pressure on natural reserves.

AWARD tests solutions and tools in four European territories to integrate these resources into water planning. The project assesses their quality, reliability, costs and acceptance by citizens and institutions, helping territories prepare for the effects of climate change.

Project objectives

AWARD studies how to turn rainwater and other non-conventional sources into useful resources for cities and territories.

Recover rainwater and other alternative water resources

Assess their quality, safety and possible uses

Support shared decisions among citizens, technical experts and institutions

The project combines demonstration cases, digital tools, training activities and local dialogue opportunities to compare traditional and alternative sources and build more resilient water supply scenarios.

Our role

Gruppo CAP takes part in the demonstration case of the Metropolitan City of Milan together with IRIDRA.

CAP provides data and expertise to monitor the sustainable urban drainage interventions implemented in Solaro and Paderno Dugnano, checking the quantity and quality of the water collected and returned to the aquifer.

CAP’s role is to help measure the benefits of these solutions: reduced flood risk, aquifer recharge, improved water quality and positive effects on biodiversity and the liveability of urban spaces.

Partner

AWARD brings together 14 partners and 2 affiliated entities from seven European countries, with expertise in water services, research, environmental technologies, planning and citizen engagement.

OiEau
Université Paris-Saclay
UVSQ
ePLANETe Blue
Aqua-Valley
InterSus
BDG
AIMEN
NTUA
IRIDRA
FDLGO
UTCB
CETAQUA
Veolia
Città metropolitana di Milano

Sites involved

  • Bucharest, Romania: study of rainwater management and aquifer recharge in the Circus Lake urban area.
  • Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy: monitoring of sustainable drainage interventions in Solaro and Paderno Dugnano and assessment of aquifer recharge.
  • Famagusta District, Cyprus: optimisation of treated wastewater treatment for reuse in agriculture.
  • Santiago de Compostela, Spain: collection and treatment of rainwater from an industrial area for subsequent reuse. 

The project at a glance

AWARD Details
Start January 2024
End December 2026
Funding 3,41 million euros
Funding Body European Union - Horizon Europe programme
Scope Climate adaptation, alternative water resources, sustainable urban drainage
Objective Improve cities' resilience to the effects of climate change, create new water supply sources for urban green spaces, and develop decision-making tools to integrate alternative water resources into water planning.

To find out more

AWARD Link to website Award project
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