Water has become one of the most sensitive issues of our time and University of Cordoba (UCO) For years, it has been making moves to avoid being left behind. From its laboratories, classrooms, and meeting spaces, it is developing a strategy that combines science, innovation, and collaboration with companies and institutions to make possible a sustainable water management in an increasingly complicated context.
Prolonged droughts, overexploitation of aquifers, pollution, and the effects of climate change paint a picture where simply “managing” water is no longer enough; it must be done with sound judgment and a vision for the future. Within this context, the University of Córdoba (UCO) is positioning itself as a leader in applied research, water governance and university-industry cooperation, with special attention to the Mediterranean reality and the Andalusian territory.
Research at the University of Córdoba (UCO) for more sustainable water management
At the heart of this endeavor are two research groups from Department of Agronomy (Dauco)The Hydraulics and Irrigation group and the River Dynamics and Hydrology group both focus their work on a shared objective: to better understand the water cycle and propose technical and management solutions that allow this resource to be used responsibly and efficiently.
Water not only sustains life, it is also the foundation of agricultural production, industry, urban services and ecosystem conservationHowever, the increasing pressure on water resources in Spain and other Mediterranean countries means that research is no longer optional but a necessity for planning the future with some degree of certainty.
The University of Córdoba (UCO) emphasizes that understanding hydrological processes, especially in Mediterranean climate zones, is key to designing more tailored public policies, improve water infrastructure and to support sectors that depend on water, particularly irrigation.
Hydraulics and Irrigation: Digitalization, AI and irrigated agriculture
The research group Hydraulics and Irrigation, directed by Emilio Camacho Poyato, has focused on how technology, including drinking water technological solutionsIt can change the way we use water in both rural and urban areas. Their work revolves around the digitization, data usage and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as practical tools for making better decisions in the daily management of the resource.
This group is currently involved in several national and international projectsThese include initiatives such as “Smart Green Water”, “I-ReWater”, “Hy4res”, “Digagro”, “Dig-Irrigation” and “Geo-Ren”. In addition, several doctoral theses are being developed that delve into the technical and economic aspects of sustainable water use in agriculture and urban systems.
Many of these projects focus on helping the irrigation sector make the digital leap. Work is underway on the improving the digital capabilities of irrigation communities and agricultural holdingsso that they can better manage their water allocations, reduce losses in distribution networks and adjust resource use to the actual needs of crops without compromising productivity.
Digitization also allows for a more detailed study of the role of regenerated water within the set of resources available for irrigation. The group is analyzing what steps need to be taken to incorporate this treated wastewater with guarantees of safety and efficiency, helping to alleviate pressure on aquifers and reservoirs in a context of scarcity.
Another key point on the Hydraulics and Irrigation agenda is the integration of renewable energies in irrigation systemsOngoing projects are exploring ways to combine solar, wind, and even hydroelectric power to ensure a stable energy supply and reduce the costs associated with pumping and distributing water, a particularly sensitive issue for farmers.
One innovative area in which the UCO is making strong progress is the development of digital twins for irrigation systems and distribution networksThese virtual models allow for the simulation of different scenarios in advance, for example, what would happen in a prolonged drought or how a farm would respond to changes in energy or water prices.
Through these digital twins, researchers can propose optimal irrigation strategies that adjust the use of water, energy, and fertilizers, reducing costs and improving environmental sustainability. Electrical and hydraulic performance data from pumping stations and photovoltaic systems are also integrated, making it easier to detect inefficiencies and design more advanced solutions tailored to each agroclimatic scenario.
River Dynamics and Hydrology: Understanding the hydrological cycle in Mediterranean environments
The second major scientific pillar at the UCO regarding sustainable water management is the group of River Dynamics and Hydrology, led by María José Polo Gómez. Its work focuses on thoroughly analyzing the processes of hydrological cycle in Mediterranean basinswhere irregular rainfall, periods of drought, and extreme events set the pattern.
This group studies the hydrology of Mediterranean mountain basinsscenarios especially sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation. It also analyzes water quality in basins heavily altered by human activity, where urban, agricultural, industrial, and ecosystem uses coincide, generating tensions and pollution problems.
Another focus of the group is the analysis of impact of droughts on water availabilityIt is not just about measuring how much it rains or doesn't rain, but about understanding how soils, aquifers, rivers and reservoirs respond to prolonged periods of scarcity, and what implications all of this has for water supply, irrigation and the maintenance of ecosystems.
In parallel, the team is working on the development of climate services that help anticipate these phenomena and make more informed decisions. Through climate and hydrological models and data, tools are developed that can be used by administrations, companies, and users to plan water use, adapt infrastructure, or define management strategies for future scenarios.
The research lines of this group are embodied in projects such as “Complex”, “Sega”, “Dryad”, “Snowdrought” and “WaMA-WaDiT”, all of which have a strong international component. Thanks to this work, the UCO participates in top-level scientific networks such as Inarch, dedicated to the study of alpine basins, and in different groups within the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), which reinforces its projection beyond the local sphere.
Water, University and Business Conference: UCO as a meeting point
Research is not the only area in which the University of Córdoba is active regarding water resources. The institution is also strengthening its role as space for dialogue and coordination among public, private and third sector actors. An example of this is the First Conference Water, University and Business, which are held at the Rectorate of the UCO around World Water Day.
These workshops are promoted by the organization itself. University of Cordoba, the City Council of Córdoba, the International Network of Reading Universities (RIUL) and StepbyWater AllianceThe aim is to open a forum where academic leaders, institutional representatives, and companies can analyze the current challenges in water management and to propose avenues for cooperation focused on sustainability.
The meeting is conceived as a space to reflect on the role of scientific knowledge, applied research and transfer in the design of more responsible water management models. At the same time, it seeks to foster the exchange of experiences and the creation of new alliances between the scientific community and the business sector of Córdoba and Andalusia.
The official opening ceremony was led by the Rector of the University of Córdoba (UCO), Manuel Torralbo Rodríguez, who emphasized the importance of the public universities promote and support policies for the responsible use of waterIn a context of increasing pressure on resources, the role of academia as a generator of knowledge and as a bridge between actors is especially relevant.
The events include the celebration of two roundtables and other spaces for dialogue that address topics such as water governance, the role of science in decision-making, technological innovation applied to the water cycle, and opportunities for specialized training and talent development in this field.
Companies, alliances and networks joining the water challenge
The UCO's focus is not limited to academic research; it extends to collaboration with companies and entities who are already working on the ground. Companies such as Aqualia, Balam Agriculture, and Silbon are participating in the event, sharing their experiences in sustainability, innovation, and water efficiency in urban, agricultural, and industrial water cycles.
The presence of the private sector allows for a more realistic approach to how scientific solutions can be translated into everyday life: from improvements in water supply and sanitation networks ranging from changes in irrigation models to strategies for reducing consumption and water footprint in production processes.
Along with the companies, the International Network of Reading Universities (RIUL)The organization, comprised of more than forty universities from a dozen countries, presents its work in promoting academic and cultural initiatives that connect university knowledge with major social challenges, including water conservation.
For its part, the StepbyWater AllianceThis public-private initiative outlines its action plans aimed at engaging the business sector in water resource protection. It develops activities focused on direct action, awareness-raising, dissemination, and reflection on the importance of treating water as a limited resource and, in many regions, a potential factor influencing development.
StepbyWater brings together over thirty leading organizations, including government bodies such as the Spanish Government, the Andalusian Regional Government, and various city councils, as well as companies and entities like Aqualia, Balam, Silbon, major food and cosmetics companies, sports clubs, and social organizations. This network reflects that the Sustainable water management requires coordinated efforts and it cannot depend on a single actor.
The day at the UCO is completed with the presentation of specialized RIUL publications, such as magazines Water and Territory y praiseas well as editorial collections that address water from different perspectives cultural, heritage and socialThis highlights that water management is not just a technical problem, but also an issue that touches on education, culture, and how we organize ourselves as a society.
Overall, the combination of Cutting-edge scientific research, digitalization and renewable energy projects, advanced hydrological studies, and spaces for dialogue with companies and institutions This positions the University of Córdoba as a leading player in the search for solutions for sustainable water management. Far from being an exclusively local issue, the work carried out at the UCO connects with the challenges faced by many regions in Spain and Europe, where water already influences a significant portion of economic and environmental decisions. The Córdoba experience demonstrates that when science, government, and the private sector come together, it is possible to move towards more responsible and resilient models for the use of such a basic yet fragile resource.
