Partner Search - HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03: Developing managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR) in a rural context

Bondalti Water can act as an implementation and demonstration partner that translates MAR concepts into deployable, monitored and operable rural solutions. Critically, we address a central practical question for rural MAR: where does the recharge water come from, and how is it treated, monitored and controlled? In many water-stressed regions, treated wastewater (reclaimed water) is a realistic and strategic source for MAR/soil-aquifer treatment, provided that additional treatment and risk management are designed appropriately.

What we can contribute (work packages / tasks)

• Treatment-for-recharge (fit-for-purpose, cost-adequate): define and optimise treatment trains for reclaimed water used in MAR (barriers for pathogens, nutrients, salinity where relevant, and micropollutants), balancing quality targets vs. CAPEX/OPEX for rural deployment; identify when “polishing” steps (e.g., adsorption/oxidation/membranes or nature-based barriers) are justified by local hydrogeology and end-use constraints.

• Risk-based monitoring design (what to control, remove or transform): co-develop the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system requested by the topic, with a strong focus on reclaimed-water MAR: define sentinel parameters and trigger levels; monitoring of transformation processes (redox fronts, nitrification/denitrification, organic matter attenuation), clogging indicators, and early-warning for contaminants of concern.

• Digital tools for pollutant loads and hydraulic loads: develop and deploy digital decision-support tools (data pipelines + models) to predict and manage inflow quality variability, recharge hydraulics, clogging risk, and downstream groundwater quality evolution; scenario evaluation under climate stress (drought sequences, episodic flows).

• Site suitability and design methodology: contribute to the methodology required by the topic to identify suitable MAR locations/situations considering climate change, source-water availability (including reclaimed water), soil/unsaturated zone behaviour, aquifer vulnerability and governance constraints.

• Integration with engineered + nature-based solutions: integrate MAR with upstream measures to reduce runoff and erosion and improve landscape resilience, while protecting groundwater status and dependent ecosystems.

• Feasibility and business/governance models: translate technical options into implementable local schemes (O&M responsibilities, monitoring burden, cost curves for reclaimed-water polishing) to support the topic’s cost–benefit, business model and governance tasks.

Keywords/tags:

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR); reclaimed water; treated wastewater; soil aquifer treatment (SAT); treatment trains; micropollutants; pathogen barriers; clogging control; MRV; groundwater quality & quantity; digital twin; hydraulic and pollutant load forecasting; rural drought resilience; business and governance models; multi-actor approach; TRL 4–5.