In the framework of the ENeRAG project and with the support of József and Erzsébet Tóth Hydrogeology Chair Foundation Judit Mádl-Szőnyi (the scientific coordinator of ENeRAG, head of chair) and Zsóka Szabó (PhD student) participated in the 10th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge, on 20-24 May, in Madrid, Spain. Participants of the conference could present their research-, practical- and innovation results in 20 sections, in addition several short courses, workshops and excursions enriched the program. Participants came from universities, waterworks and companies working in the managed aquifer systems area as well. Judit Mádl-Szőnyi had a poster presentation about the recent applications and future prospects for MAR techniques in Hungary and Zsóka Szabó had an oral presentation about the 150 years old Induced Bank Filtration system of Budapest. Furthermore, they participated in short courses and workshops related to MAR suitability mapping, web-based numerical modeling and groundwater recharge and recovery through wells (ASR technique). They could also visit Spanish MAR sites, the Los Arenales Aquifer Facilities in Segovia Province and ASR/ASTR/Depth Injection Boreholes in Madrid. Additionally, they had the chance to meet the professionals of the field, including the representatives of the Turku Region Water Ltd., who are one of the industrial partners of the ENeRAG project. They have found several possibilities for international cooperation, which are important for the development of the Hungarian MAR systems as well as the networking objective of the ENeRAG project. At the same time, the regional water flow system approach represented by József and Erzsébet Tóth Hydrogeology Chair, also offers a great potential for the implementation of more efficient MAR systems.
Judit Mádl-Szőnyi and Zsóka Szabó on the ISMAR 10 conference