When data warns before drought

At GOservicios, we have taken on the challenge of transforming the way municipalities protect their water resources. Through technological innovation and collaboration between our different departments, we have successfully integrated the Scarcity State Index (SSI) into advanced digital platforms. Our aim is not simply to provide data, but to deliver real, tangible value: equipping public authorities with a visual, intuitive and straightforward tool to make vital decisions in the face of drought.

 

From Hydrogeological Complexity to Visual Clarity

Assessing the condition of an aquifer requires in-depth historical and technical analysis. Our team analyses the behaviour of wells in each municipality and has developed an algorithm capable of determining their actual water status.

 

This project is the result of joint work between several departments: Hydrogeology provided the expertise and data; R&D&i developed the algorithm; and Sensorisation integrated all the information into SCADA platforms, turning it into a visual and practical decision-making tool. The result is a solution in which hydrogeological expertise, technological innovation and integration capabilities work together to turn information into decisions.

However, the real added value of this project lies in the way we present this information to the end user.

 

We have designed a dashboard that allows municipal water managers to see the status of their water abstraction points instantly. Through clear charts and speedometer-style indicators, the system shows whether the municipality, or a specific well such as Ombria or Barranquet, is in a Normality, Pre-alert, Alert or Emergency phase. The tool also tracks the evolution of the drought index over the past year and defines the exact conditions for entering or leaving each scenario.

 

As Carolina Esteban Navarro, from the Hydrogeology team, explains: “It is not just about knowing what state we are in, but understanding how we got there so that we can act in time.

An Integrated Action Plan: Solutions for Every Scenario

The greatest added value of this project is that we do not simply diagnose the problem; we provide the solution on the same screen. Depending on the colour shown by the index, users have direct access to a catalogue of Demand Management Measures, detailing exactly what steps need to be taken:

 

1. Normality (Green): The aim is to prevent scarcity and strengthen resilience. We recommend active leak management, public awareness campaigns promoting water conservation, and proactive assessment of alternative water abstraction options.
2. Pre-alert (Yellow): In the event of moderate scarcity, awareness and preparedness measures are activated. These include preparing drought wells for operation, direct communications to major water consumers, and minor restrictions, such as limiting public and private irrigation to periods of lower solar exposure.
3. Alert (Orange): In a situation that is critical in the short term, the aim is to reduce consumption to the minimum necessary. Corrective measures include banning garden irrigation, restricting swimming-pool filling, shutting down ornamental fountains, and requiring a 10–15% reduction in non-essential industrial water consumption.
4. Emergency (Red): In the event of extreme scarcity, exceptional measures are implemented to safeguard public health and essential water supplies. These include a total ban on all forms of irrigation, restrictions on shower use in sports facilities, drastic reductions of 80% in agricultural irrigation, and the establishment of a strict maximum allocation of 200 litres per person per day.

 

 
 

Real-world Impact and Scalability of the Model

This digitalisation is already delivering tangible results. One example of our monitoring capabilities is the monitoring of the Los Lagos well in Alginet (Valencia). As a borehole with very low inertia, it responds rapidly to climatic variations, making up-to-date readings essential to protecting the aquifer dynamically.

 

But the most significant feature of this solution is its scalability. We have designed a model that can be replicated and adapted to the needs of any territory. We are already successfully implementing this system in numerous municipalities managed by partners such as Egevasa, while also expanding the project into strategic areas of Catalonia and Camp de Morvedre.

 

At GOservicios, we are convinced that technology and data are our best allies in ensuring sustainability. Providing municipalities with a clear and automated roadmap for tackling drought is our commitment today and our best guarantee for the future.