The Santiago demonstrator site will study, design and build 4 infiltration ponds to recharge an aquifer that is being used for irrigation, affected by saline intrusions. The ponds will be built in the headwaters of S. Miguel sub-basin (with an area of 14.4 km²), which is part of the Santa Cruz river basin (the basin with the largest area in Santiago, 355 km², and the largest total precipitation volume, 121 hm³).
The S. Miguel sub-basin is known for its agricultural potential, and the local geology includes pillow lava and greenish tuff layers, making it a good destination for testing GENESIS concepts.
Objective
The sizing and construction of the pounds will follow with the identification and study of suitable alternatives having high infiltration-recharge capacity, the engagement with local communities, the digitalisation of the NbS infrastructure (ponds, existing water wells, dugs and springs) and the setup of a monitoring programme. Construction and exploitation costs will be recorded and used for assessing the cost-benefit of the NbS implemented.