UWAI

Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. Improved water supply and sanitation, and better management of water resources, can boost countries’ economic growth and can contribute greatly to poverty reduction.  

In 2022, 6 billion people used safely managed drinking-water services – that is, they used improved water sources located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. The remaining 2.2 billion people without safely managed services in 2022 included:

• 1.5 billion people with basic services, meaning an improved water source located within a round trip of 30 minutes;
• 292 million people with limited services, or an improved water source requiring more than 30 minutes to collect water;
• 296 million people taking water from unprotected wells and springs; and
• 115 million people collecting untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Sharp geographic, sociocultural and economic inequalities persist, not only between rural and urban areas but also in towns and cities where people living in low-income, informal or illegal settlements usually have less access to improved sources of drinking-water than other residents.

Not all the water is present in the surface, there's also a large quantity of water present under the ground, and it's called groundwater. About 50% of the potable water is groundwater, making it one of the most important sources of drinkable water in the world. 

The fact of the water being underground brings new challenges to the table. Groundwater management, its preservation and its dynamic behaviour, are problems that impacts societies all around the world.

💎 Idea

In this context, UWAI has emerged with the goal of facilitating the discovery of new aquifers, enhancing the management of groundwater resources, and emphasizing the prioritization of their conservation.

🛰️ EU space technologies

Our idea should use both CLMS and CAMS Copernicus services. Together, these monitoring services will provide insides in various drought indicators, groundwater level, forecasting risk indexes and pollution prevention. 

⛑️ Space for International Development & Humanitarian Aid

We are facing the challenge of strengthening food security and access to clean water. 

• The implementation of these technologies contributes to sustainable water management, which is crucial for the economic and social development of communities.
• Early warnings and efficient water resource management help communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters, reducing the humanitarian impact of such events.
• Access to clean water improves health conditions, reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases and improving overall well-being.

In summary, leveraging advanced technologies to find new aquifers, manage water resources efficiently, and decrease the DRASTIC index is integral to addressing water-related challenges in international development and humanitarian aid, fostering sustainability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities worldwide.

🤼 Team

Christian Leonard (Front-end/Back-end), Computer and Industrial Electronics Engineering at Minho University. Passionate with space technology.

Jesús Molina (Front-end/Back-end), Industrial Electronics and Mechanics at Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão de Águeda (ESTGA). In love with automotive electronics engineering and robotics.

Manuel Costa (Front-end/Back-end), bachelor's degree in Informatic Engineering. 

Mariana Silva (Business), bachelor's degree in Enterprise Communication and Secretary at ESTGA. Currently in a master's degree in Business Communication and languages.