Scientists from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Silesia have started implementing the CRossWATER research project ‘Cross-border management of groundwater for the needs of climate-change-resistant water supply of the European City of Görlitz-Zgorzelec’. After almost a year and a half of intensive preparations, in November 2024, an agreement was signed for co-financing the project under the European Union INTERREG Poland-Saxony 2021-2027 programme.
Goals of the project
The aim of the CRossWATER project is to create model solutions for sustainable management of groundwater resources in conditions of a changing climate. Activities will focus on improving the security of water supply and increasing climate resilience in the cross-border area of Poland and Germany in the area of the European City of Görlitz-Zgorzelec.
The project includes four main research tasks:
- Monitoring, field and laboratory research work:
- Creation of a common monitoring network for the cross-border groundwater system.
- Conducting quantitative and qualitative tests of water and sediments.
- Modelling and data exchange:
- Creation of a common computer model of the groundwater system.
- Construction and implementation of a centralised data and information exchange system.
- Risk assessment and adaptation:
- Detailed assessment of risk resulting from climate change.
- Developing adaptation measures to minimise threats to water supply systems.
- Implementation and sustainability of results:
- Implementation of developed technical solutions.
- Ensuring their sustainable use by stakeholders from the water sector.
Project consortium
The project is implemented by an international consortium consisting of:
- Dresden University of Technology (lead partner),
- University of Silesia in Katowice,
- the cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec,
- water companies from both cities.
The University of Silesia will be involved in the implementation of all four main tasks of the project, contributing its experience in groundwater research and management of its resources.
Schedule and financing
The project will be implemented between January 2025 and December 2027. The total budget is EUR 1,754,537.36, of which EUR 1,403,629.87 comes from EU funds.
