Water & Community: How Citizen Science Supports Environmental Protection
Water is the essence of life — sustaining ecosystems, communities, and economies alike. Yet, as the effects of climate change intensify and the overexploitation of natural resources continues, access to clean and abundant water is becoming increasingly fragile. In mountainous regions, where natural springs form the lifeblood of local ecosystems and communities, the need for monitoring and protection is more urgent than ever.
Recognizing this, the Italian Alpine Club (Club Alpino Italiano – CAI) launched the “Acqua Sorgente” (Spring Water) Citizen Science project in April 2024, uniting science, technology, and public participation to safeguard groundwater resources across Italy.
A national effort to monitor and protect springs
Natural springs are not only critical water sources — in some Italian territories, they account for up to 75% of tap water — but they are also rich in biodiversity and valuable indicators of the health of groundwater systems. The Acqua Sorgente project was designed to collect, analyze, and share comprehensive data on these springs, helping scientists and citizens alike understand the evolving state of water resources.
Through an easy-to-use mobile application, volunteers can record essential information such as:
The location and photographs of each spring.
The presence or absence of water flow.
Flow rate measurements, determined by timing how long it takes to fill a container of known volume.
Electrical conductivity and temperature, measured using portable probes distributed by CAI.
All collected data are validated by a scientific coordinator and displayed on an interactive online map at maps.acquasorgente.cai.it, offering full transparency and accessibility for citizens, researchers, and institutions.
This participatory approach generates actionable insights into energy poverty and its impacts, which are then used to propose affordable, scalable solutions. The collected data does more than improve living conditions for participating households—it contributes to the broader understanding of energy poverty at a national and European level.
Engaging communities and inspiring awareness
With more than 350,000 CAI members and over 800 local offices across Italy, the Acqua Sorgente project quickly mobilized a large network of volunteers. However, participation extends beyond CAI members — it is open to everyone who shares an interest in protecting water resources.
Each volunteer acts as both a data collector and a co-author of the project, directly contributing to hydrological research and environmental awareness. Educational collaborations with high schools have already begun, combining theoretical lessons with practical, on-the-field training to inspire young environmental stewards.
Throughout 2024, the project also took part in public dissemination events, strengthening the dialogue between science and society and helping people understand how everyday actions can contribute to sustainable water management.
Science, Data, & Collaboration
By June 2025, the project’s database had already collected over 1,500 validated spring observations, many of which included advanced hydrological parameters. These data are being analyzed using interpolation and modeling techniques, providing valuable insights for researchers studying groundwater behavior under changing climatic conditions.
The project’s scientific results have been presented at national conferences and are paving the way for future collaborations with major Italian universities, including Pisa, Roma Tre, and Torino. The team’s goal is to establish an enduring, data-driven foundation for protecting water resources not just in Italy, but across Europe and beyond.
A model for global collaboration
Although conceived for the Italian context, Acqua Sorgente is designed to be replicable anywhere in the world. The methodologies, digital tools, and collaborative framework it employs can easily be adapted by other countries seeking to monitor and protect their own freshwater systems.
Built on principles of openness, cooperation, and shared knowledge, the project serves as a model of how citizen science can bridge the gap between local action and global environmental impact.
A European vision for water resilience
Water is not just a natural resource — it is a shared responsibility. The Acqua Sorgente project exemplifies how collective action, grounded in scientific rigor and civic participation, can safeguard this vital resource for future generations.
As part of the Flourish phase of the ScienceUs Project, Acqua Sorgente contributes to the broader European mission of strengthening climate resilience through citizen science. By empowering citizens to take part in monitoring and protecting groundwater, the project reinforces the ScienceUs vision of uniting science, community, and sustainability for a healthier planet.
Built on principles of openness, cooperation, and shared knowledge, the project serves as a model of how citizen science can bridge the gap between local action and global environmental impact.
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”