Presentation
Presentation
Maria Teresa Viseu
Head of Unit
The Water Resources and Hydraulic Structures Division (NRE) is a DHA unit that develops research in the fields of river and aquifer systems, integrated at the level of the river basin, and of hydraulic infrastructures and circuits. In these areas, NRE provides advanced technical consultancy services, aiming to solve specific problems, both at national and international levels.
Relying on an experienced and multidisciplinary team, NRE's activity is developed in close dialogue with partners and customers and is aligned with the intervention priorities defined in the Portugal 2030 Strategy, more specifically, the Climate Transition and Sustainability agenda. Focusing on water resources, it bridges the gap between the built environment and related water uses and natural ecosystems.
The different methodologies and techniques used in NRE include advanced numerical modelling, physical and experimental modelling in the laboratory and in situ, monitoring, and treatment of field parameters, as well as inspections and assessments of hydraulic infrastructures. A risk assessment and management approach is also applied to extreme phenomena and climate change adaptation.
Activity
The objective of the NRE is to respond to the challenges of society in the field of water resources and hydraulic infrastructures, in the following areas of activity:
- Integrated planning and management of surface and groundwater resources, including hydrological studies, modelling of water availability, analysis of the vulnerability of inland water resources, modelling and control of water quality and optimization of reservoirs and aquifers exploitation.
- Resilience of rivers and aquifers, including water erosion, solid transport, modelling of river dynamics and morphodynamics and flow and transport of pollutants in porous media, and study of natural-based solutions for river and aquifer preservation and rehabilitation
- Risk management associated with extreme phenomena of droughts and natural floods or induced floods by the failure of dams and dikes.
- Risk management of aquifer systems, including study of methods to prevent the spread of contaminants, surveillance of aquifer prospecting and exploitation works and managed aquifer recharge.
- Management and safety of river hydraulic infrastructures, including dam safety and exploitation bodies, water intakes, river rehabilitation works and protection against erosion and flooding, and transport infrastructure drainage works.
- Governance of water resources and Climate Change adaptation