How to Improve Irrigation Efficiency in Collaboration with Farmers

Carolina Pittella – Project Manager at Agua Segura

When it comes to water projects in rural areas, the challenge isn’t so much about the “what” but the “how.” In my experience, understanding the community and the local water resources is the first and most critical step to developing an effective action plan. Listening to people, learning about their customs and needs allows us to create realistic, sustainable projects that truly make a difference in their lives.

I always start by involving local teams as key partners in the process. They are the first to point out the limitations and challenges we’ll need to tackle. Although it can seem overwhelming at first, this is when the right questions emerge, and the true scope of the project begins to take shape. These teams have an unmatched understanding of the local climate, the best times to work, the local suppliers, and the logistics—like road conditions and costs—that can make or break a project. Paying attention to these factors can significantly improve the project’s success and optimize resources.

Along with local teams, foundations that have been working in the area for years are invaluable partners. Not only do they understand the community’s specific needs, but they also help facilitate initial contacts and adjust the project’s scope when necessary. Building strong relationships with these foundations opens doors to faster and more efficient solutions. Entering a community with a trusted local partner by your side makes it easier to navigate future challenges.

Another crucial element in planning is choosing the right communication channel for each team. Not everyone communicates or processes information the same way. Figuring out whether a call, video call, message, or email is the best option helps keep the workflow efficient and effective. It’s also important to adjust communication frequency based on everyone’s availability, and when needed, to make in-person visits to strengthen relationships and ensure the project stays on track.

Ultimately, a project in a rural community will only succeed if we truly understand the local context and build strong partnerships with those who know the area best. In this way, teamwork becomes the key to bringing safe water to those who need it most.

For more information please visit our website: aguasegura.com

Gisella Djenderedjian – General Manager of Dvigi.

Access to safe drinking water remains a crucial global challenge. More than 2.2 billion people lack access to clean water, which has devastating consequences, especially in rural communities. According to the World Health Organization, over 485,000 people die each year from diarrheal diseases linked to contaminated water consumption. The lack of potable water particularly affects women and children, who are often responsible for collecting water in many regions. This task not only exposes them to physical risks and health issues but also takes away educational and employment opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality.

In response to this reality, technology has become a key tool in improving access to safe water. Ultrafiltration systems have proven to be an effective and accessible solution, capable of removing bacteria, viruses, and sediments from water, providing a reliable source of drinking water. These filters are easy to install and maintain, making them ideal for areas where water infrastructure is limited or non-existent. Gisella Djenderedjian, General Manager of Dvigi, highlights the effectiveness of these systems: ‘Our purifiers combine ultrafiltration technology with activated carbon and sediment filters, removing impurities and improving the taste of water while retaining essential minerals. We want to be part of the solution to the global water crisis by offering technology that positively impacts people’s health and well-being.’

Beyond their efficiency, these filters are a sustainable option. ‘Our commitment is to improve the quality of life in regions that need it most, using sustainable technology to transform water access,’ Djenderedjian adds. At Agua Segura, we work to implement these systems in rural communities, where they provide an efficient and economical solution for access to safe drinking water. At the same time, we conduct awareness workshops in vulnerable areas, promoting the importance of hygiene habits and proper use of these filters, ensuring their durability and long-term effectiveness. With each project, we not only improve the health and well-being of individuals but also help create opportunities for development and empowerment in the most underserved communities.

By Manuel Sauri – CEO of Agua Segura

When we think about the importance of water for our lives and development, we surely imagine the rivers, seas, and lakes that feed us, provide energy, and recreation. If we go a bit further, perhaps we reflect on the importance of wetlands and ecosystems that work to mitigate the effects of climate change. But there is a place where practically all the planet’s liquid fresh water is concentrated: beneath the earth.

Groundwater has enormous significance for human society. Its sustainable management and protection are essential to guarantee water security, food production, drinking water supply, and the health of ecosystems.

Groundwater: the invisible resource that sustains life

Access to safe water is a fundamental human right. We only need to remember the “water cycle” we learned in school to understand that what we do on the surface directly affects what happens beneath it. If the water circulation process is interrupted, terrestrial ecosystems lose their balance, and with them, aquifers deteriorate.

According to UNESCO data, over 95% of the world’s available liquid freshwater is groundwater, and it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population depends on it for domestic consumption.

These natural reservoirs supply not only our homes but also sanitation systems, industries, and, above all, the agricultural sector.

Agriculture and Aquifers: A Critical Relationship

Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater on the planet. According to the FAO, about 40% of the water used for irrigation globally comes from aquifers. And it is estimated that to feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 60%.

However, the excessive use of groundwater for irrigation can lead to its depletion, reduced river flow, and loss of wetlands. Furthermore, if they become contaminated with agrochemicals, fertilizers, or other substances, their quality is jeopardized, and negative impacts on public health are generated.

Sustainable water management in agriculture is crucial. Adopting efficient irrigation technologies, improving soil infiltration, and reducing chemical use are key steps to protect this invisible resource.

Groundwater Conservation and Recharge of Aquifers

Aquifer recharge is the natural process by which rainwater or river water slowly penetrates the soil and reaches underground layers. But when areas are deforested, soils are compacted, or urbanization occurs without planning, this process is interrupted.

At Agua Segura, we promote nature-based solutions that allow us to recover this natural absorption capacity: soil restoration, reforestation of watersheds, wetland conservation, and rainwater harvesting systems.

These actions are part of integrated watershed management strategies aimed at strengthening the water resilience of territories.

Groundwater and Climate Change

Groundwater plays an important role in mitigating climate change. By maintaining stable river levels, they sustain ecosystems during droughts. They also prevent saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, protecting freshwater reserves against rising sea levels.

However, the water crisis has exacerbated aridity in regions where the only source of supply is groundwater. There, sustainable management is not an option; it is a vital necessity.

Water Quality: A Silent Challenge

In addition to depletion, groundwater contamination is a serious challenge. Chemical substances such as nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, or hydrocarbons can slowly infiltrate and remain for years, affecting water quality without being detected.

Implementing monitoring systems, improving land use planning, and promoting corporate water responsibility are necessary measures to prevent this deterioration.

Making the Invisible Visible

Groundwater knows no borders. Therefore, its preservation requires a global, collaborative, and long-term perspective. According to UN Water, we need public policies, investments, and citizen participation to face emerging challenges.

We also need education and communication. Because making the invisible visible means teaching that what happens beneath our feet sustains everything that happens on the surface. And that without groundwater, there is no agriculture, no industry, no health.

The Basis of All Sustainable Development

Groundwater is a hidden treasure that we must care for, monitor, and manage responsibly. They not only guarantee access to water and sanitation (WASH), but they are also the basis of any sustainable development strategy that aspires to be just, resilient, and lasting.

Conclusion

We are facing a key resource for life. Invisible for decades, it now demands to be at the center of policies, investments, and collective consciousness.

Making the invisible visible is recognizing the infinite value of our groundwater. And acting accordingly.