The main objective of SMART-Control is to reduce the risks in the application of sustainable groundwater management techniques by the development of an innovative web-based, real-time monitoring and control system (RMCS) in combination with risk assessment and management tools. The system consists of an in-situ real-time monitoring system and a web-based platform for control, modelling and prediction. Objectives will be measured against quantifiable performance indicators (PI) according to risk management issues in water reuse applications related to:
- public health (PI: microbial concentration in water reuse below 10-6 μDALYs per person per year)
- environmental risks (PI: spatial and temporal extent of infiltration bubble by water quality parameters e.g. nitrogen concentration, salinity)
- clogging management (PI: maintenance intervals)
- recovery efficiency (PI: recovery of water with defined quality in %)
- residence time (PI: subsurface residence time in days from estimation-based approach with unknown uncertainties to real-time assessment with quantifiable uncertainties).
Case studies applying different MAR technologies in various hydrogeological, climatic and socio-economic environments are selected to reach a wide range of objectives: increase water availability in urban areas, prevent saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers and mitigate extreme climatic events. Reducing the risks associated with MAR facilities makes them manageable and controllable, increases the capacity and social acceptance of water reuse technologies and demonstrates their viability as climate change adaptation measures.