Innovative solutions for enhancing village water supply and addressing water scarcity for resilient rural and mountain areas
The University of Western Macedonia through its Telecommunication Networks & Advanced Services Laboratory (TELNAS) laboratory, department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, participates as partner in WATERVILL project under the scientific coordination of Professor Malamati Louta, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Development. The project is a transnational partnership of 12 organisations from 9 Mediterranean countries working to advance innovation, technology and sustainable water management for a resilient future.
WATERVILL’s mission is to strengthen an innovative sustainable economy in rural and mountainous Mediterranean regions by developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies.
With partners from Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Spain, WATERVILL brings together local authorities, associations of local authorities, water associations, and research institutions to tackle water scarcity. The project is led by the Municipality of Zabljak (MoZ) from Montenegro. The project modernises small independent water-supply systems through smart technologies, nature-based solutions and community-led governance — reducing water losses, improving distribution and increasing climate-resilience for thousands of citizens.
Over its 45-month implementation period, WATERVILL main objectives are:
- Optimise and modernise rural water supply systems
- Reduce water losses and improve water quality
- Produce smart tools to detect leaks and monitor water use
- Strengthen cooperation between local communities and neighbouring regions
- Promote nature-based solutions to safeguard water resources
The project will deliver:
- Better planning tools: Creation of a decision support system as a digital platform for improved water management strategies
- Real-life testing: New technologies and nature-based methods will be tested in four rural areas: Zabljak (Montenegro), Bitola (North Macedonia), Ilirska Bistrica (Slovenia), Teslic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Knowledge transfer: Good practices and training will be shared across the region through e-learning and a regional learning network of practitioners
Role of University of Western Macedonia (UOWM) in WATERVILL Project
The University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) acts as a Project Partner and WP2 Leader. Within its role, UoWM will contribute by applying its expertise in advanced technological solutions to focus on integrating advanced technologies into strategic planning, prioritization, and decision-making. This includes the development of the Decision Support System (DSS) as a smart tool to help municipalities choose optimal solutions for enhancing water supply systems (WSS) in rural and mountainous areas.
UoWM will also coordinate, support, and provide technical guidance on the implementation and monitoring of innovative approaches and smart water management solutions within pilot sites. Furthermore, UoWM will support the replication of innovative strategies within the research community and will engage in capacity-building efforts to ensure that project outcomes are sustained and implemented in the long term.
Project website: https://watervill.interreg-euro-med.eu/
Project duration: 01/09/2025 – 31/05/2029 (45 months)
Scientific Coordinator (UOWM): Prof. Malamati Louta
Funded by Interreg Euro-MED Programme
University of Western Macedonia
