AGREEMAR stakeholder interaction and training workshop in Cyprus, 22-23 May 2024

On 22 and 23 May 2024, the Research Group INOWAS at Technische Universität Dresden together with ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence organised a stakeholder interaction and training workshop at the Water Development Department in Nikosia, Cyprus. The event was attended by representatives of Water Development Department and Geological Survey of Cyprus.

The first day was dedicated to a stakeholder interaction workshop aiming to present and discuss the groundwater flow model for the Akrotiri groundwater system, including the existing MAR scheme. The workshop covered the presentation of available data, model concept and boundary conditions. The model assumptions were discussed in detail and the participants provided valuable feedback for further data acquisition and additional boundary conditions. After the presentation of the preliminary flow model, all participants discussed and developed model scenarios that will be implemented as a further step after the extension of the simulation period to evaluate future changes in the study area.

The second day focussed on training the stakeholders on the use of the web-based numerical groundwater flow modelling platform INOWAS. The training course included the step-by-step model setup of the present steady-state Akrotiri groundwater flow model on the web-based INOWAS platform. Despite the high complexity of the groundwater flow model due its manifold boundary conditions and layering, the participants succeeded in setting up and running their own model. The main intention to train the stakeholders is to provide them with a hands-on tool that they can further use for their own purposes also after the AGREEMAR project is finished.

The trip to Cyprus was completed by a case study visit to the Akrotiri MAR site which helps in better defining boundary conditions for the further numerical modelling of the site.