Date: 16 January 2014
Time: 10:00
Venue: SAIH Control Centre, Ebro River-Basin Authority (CHE) Headquarters, Paseo Sagasta, 24-28. 50071 Zaragoza, Spain

To register for the technical visits please contact Mónica Garcés.

The visit will include a thorough demonstration of the System and will be arranged into two consecutive groups, one in English and one in Spanish.

Since its creation in 1926, the Ebro River Basin Authority has had a very important role in socio-economic development. In the past, it focused on promoting irrigation and hydroelectricity to achieve economic growth. Nowadays, a more holistic approach to water is taken, with integrated management contributing significantly to green economic growth. During the visit we will see how this shift in approach has occurred and learn about the important role River Basin Authorities can have in achieving a green economy.

The Automated System for Hydrological Information (SAIH) is a real time warning and decision support system. Firstly used to cope with flood events, the system has lately proved to be an excellent tool for water efficiency management. The high investment required to implement and maintain the system is compensated by the reduction of losses due to floods and by improvements in water efficiency. Thus, it increases water productivity without the need for new water infrastructure and increases the protection of land and people without the need for new river dykes.