Water has become one of the most critical issues of our time, and the University of Córdoba (UCO) has been taking action for years 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 enable sustainable water management in an increasingly complex world.
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 collaboration , with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region and the Andalusian territory.
Research at the University of Córdoba (UCO) for more sustainable water management
At the heart of this initiative are two research groups from the 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 for the responsible and efficient use of this resource.
Water not only sustains life, it is also the foundation of agricultural production, industry, urban services, and ecosystem conservation . However, the increasing pressure on water resources in Spain and other Mediterranean countries means that research is no longer optional but a necessity for planning for 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 , improving hydraulic infrastructure , and supporting water-dependent sectors, particularly irrigation.
Hydraulics and Irrigation: Digitalization, AI and irrigated agriculture
The Hydraulics and Irrigation research group , led by Emilio Camacho Poyato, has focused on how technology, including drinking water solutions , can change the way we use water in both rural and urban areas. Their work centers on digitalization, data analysis, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as practical tools for making better decisions in the daily management of this resource.
This group is currently involved in several national and international projects , including initiatives such as “Smart Green Water”, “I-ReWater”, “Hy4res”, “Digagro”, “Dig-Irrigation”, and “Geo-Ren”. In addition, they are developing several doctoral theses 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 to improve the digital capabilities of irrigation communities and farms , enabling them to better manage their water allocations, reduce losses in distribution networks, and adjust resource use to the actual needs of crops without compromising productivity.
Digitalization also allows for a more detailed study of the role of reclaimed water within the range of resources available for irrigation. The group is analyzing the steps needed to incorporate this treated wastewater safely and efficiently, 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 energy into irrigation systems . Ongoing 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 important issue for farmers.
One innovative area in which the University of Córdoba (UCO) is making significant progress is the development of digital twins for irrigation systems and distribution networks . These 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, facilitating the detection of inefficiencies and the design of 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 University of Córdoba (UCO) for sustainable water management is the River Dynamics and Hydrology group , led by María José Polo Gómez. Their work focuses on thoroughly analyzing the processes of the hydrological cycle in Mediterranean basins , where irregular rainfall, periods of drought, and extreme weather events are the defining characteristics.
This group studies the hydrology of Mediterranean mountain basins , areas particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation. It also analyzes water quality in basins heavily impacted by human activity, where urban, agricultural, industrial, and ecosystem uses converge, generating tensions and pollution problems.
Another key focus of the group is analyzing the impact of droughts on water availability . This involves not only measuring rainfall but also understanding how soils, aquifers, rivers, and reservoirs respond to prolonged periods of scarcity, and what implications this has for water supply, irrigation, and ecosystem maintenance.
In parallel, the team is working on developing climate services that help anticipate these phenomena and make more informed decisions. Using climate and hydrological models and data, they are creating tools that can be used by government agencies, businesses, and individuals to plan water use, adapt infrastructure, and 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 with a strong international component. Thanks to this work, the University of Córdoba (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) , thus strengthening its reach beyond the local area.
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 issues. The institution is also strengthening its role as a space for dialogue and coordination among public, private, and third-sector stakeholders. An example of this is the First Conference on Water, University, and Business , held at the UCO Rectorate around World Water Day.
These conferences are organized by the University of Córdoba , the Córdoba City Council, the International Network of Reading Universities (RIUL) , and the StepbyWater Alliance . The aim is to create a forum where academic leaders, institutional representatives, and businesses can analyze current challenges in water management and explore avenues for cooperation focused on sustainability.
The event is conceived as a forum for reflecting on the role of scientific knowledge, applied research, and knowledge transfer in designing more responsible water management models. At the same time, it aims to foster the exchange of experiences and the creation of new partnerships between the scientific community and the business sector in Córdoba and Andalusia.
The official opening was led by the Rector of the University of Córdoba (UCO), Manuel Torralbo Rodríguez, who emphasized the importance of public universities promoting and supporting policies for the responsible use of water . In a context of increasing pressure on resources, the role of academia as a generator of knowledge and as a bridge between stakeholders is especially relevant.
The conference includes two roundtables and other dialogue spaces 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 University of Córdoba's approach is not limited to academic research; it extends to collaboration with companies and organizations already working in the field. Companies such as Aqualia, Balam Agriculture, and Silbon participate in the workshops, 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 to changes in irrigation models, including strategies for reducing consumption and water footprint in production processes.
Alongside the companies, the International Network of Reading Universities (RIUL) , made up 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 public-private StepbyWater Alliance outlines its action plans aimed at engaging the business sector in water resource protection. This initiative develops activities involving 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 the fact that sustainable water management requires coordinated efforts and cannot depend on a single actor.
The day at the University of Córdoba (UCO) concludes with the presentation of specialized publications from the RIUL (International Network of Water Resources), such as the journals Agua y Territorio and Alabe , as well as editorial collections that address water from cultural, heritage, and social perspectives . This highlights that water management is not only a technical problem, but also an issue that permeates education, culture, and the way we organize ourselves as a society.
Taken together, the combination of cutting-edge scientific research, digitalization and renewable energy projects, advanced hydrological studies, and dialogue with companies and institutions 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.
