The Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS - CSIC), partner of PROSIM Project, has completed the installation of the advanced decision support system (DSS) for water mixing coupled with an irrigation scheduling system based on weather forecasts, crops water needs and cloud remote control system in Murcia, Spain.
The DSS is one of the 9 Innovative Solutions (IS) proposed by PROSIM project within the ENI CBC Med Programme, it is developed by CEBAS and includes 3 levels (advanced, intermediate and simplified) depending on country specific context and needs.
The main purpose of this decision support system is to improve the mixing of multiple water sources (Treated Waste Waters, desalinated and brackish waters) and increase crop yields. These water resources are non-conventional water resources, generated by a specialized process such as desalination, or a suitable pre-use treatment, when used for irrigation.
The DSS at advanced level is currently being implemented and used in demonstrations by CEBAS on a surface of 1 hectare in Murcia, Spain. Through data obtained from multiple water quality sensors connected to a software to automatically blend conventional waters (CWs) and non-conventional waters (NCWs), it is possible to create the best water mix for irrigation in terms of quality and quantity.
The intermediate and simplified DSS are going to be demonstrated in Jordan, Tunisia and Italy and they will be integrated with other innovative solutions to increase water use efficiency.