Meeting representatives of the National Water Commission in Yucatan, Mexico

INOWAS team met representatives of the Yucatan National Water Commission (CONAGUA) in Merida on 28 June 2016. On behalf of the group, Catalin acknowledged CONAGUA’s previous support and expressed interest in developing a formal cooperation. The meeting was used to foster mutual interests and identify topics and formats of future cooperation activities. Ms. Veronika Höker expressed general interest of CONAGUA in joining international R&D projects and described main difficulties faced by CONAGUA at local and regional level. Preliminary ideas include for example the lack of expertize in using simulation software for scenario analysis, acquisition of knowledge on technical instrumentation for groundwater quality monitoring and information management or management techniques to cope with saltwater intrusion and groundwater salinization. Catalin briefly introduced the INOWAS project and explained the wide range of benefits of managed aquifer recharge, which could be one potential solution in the mitigation of water problems in Yucatan. Miguel discussed with the technical engineers the draft investigation plan that will be implemented until end of July in Merida and received valuable suggestions on its practical implementation. Several possibilities for cooperation were identified: definition projects (as preliminary steps in preparation of a larger research project), training courses on instrumentation for groundwater monitoring, larger research projects with participation of additional institutions.