Project Summary

Freshwater resources in coastal regions face immense pressure from population growth, pollution, and climate change, leading to severe water shortages in several European coastal areas after extended droughts. The RESCUE project seeks to enhance water security by researching and innovating to find freshwater in unexplored coastal and offshore aquifers, which could be vital during high-demand periods.

Building on recent scientific discoveries, RESCUE aims to map deep (over 400 meters) onshore and offshore low salinity aquifers to supplement water supplies for consumption, agriculture, and industry, and to reduce desalination costs. RESCUE combines academic and industry expertise across hydrogeology, geophysics, big data science, and public engagement. It will leverage existing geological data, oil and gas data, and new data acquisitions to create large-scale models for water resources in European Mediterranean coastal regions. Supercomputing will integrate physical and digital data for comprehensive modeling, and stakeholder engagement will enrich the data pool. The project will also analyze the cost-benefit and sustainability of resource extraction, considering public perceptions.

RESCUE aligns with multiple EU and international initiatives, addressing climate adaptation, innovative water management tools, and sustainable practices. It aims to support policy-making for combating climatic extremes, ensuring clean water access, and contributing to UN SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation. The project’s methodologies and findings will be applicable globally, benefiting both developed and developing countries.