Good Practice - Project
AQUAFARM – Digitalising water networks for sustainable dairy farming
A water efficiency project helps Spanish dairy farmers improve their understanding of resource savings.
General information
RDP Priority
- P2. Competitiveness
RDP Focus Area
- 2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation
RDP Measure
- M16: Cooperation
Beneficiary type
- Operational group
Summary
Some six litres of water are commonly needed to produce one litre of milk in the EU.
The AQUAFARM Operational Group is an innovative project focused on enhancing water management in dairy cattle farms in southern Spain. Its primary goal is to identify the main contributors to water consumption in these farms, expressed as volumetric water footprint, and assess the impacts associated with producing one kilogramme of safe milk.
AQUAFARM introduces innovation by optimising water use in the livestock sector, adapting technological advances in water management to the specific needs of dairy cattle farming using knowledge applied in urban networks, such as the Internet of Things (IoT).
By implementing smart meters and IoT communication systems, AQUAFARM reduced water consumption without compromising productivity, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient production model. The project had a direct impact on the sustainability of dairy cattle farms, benefiting not only the targeted farms but also the broader agricultural sector in Andalusia.
Results
AQUAFARM improved the efficient and sustainable management of water in Spain’s livestock sector, particularly for dairy cattle farms. Thematic results included:
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits, particularly in a highly vulnerable region such as southern Spain.
- Introducing innovative technologies like sensors, digitalisation and data processing to optimise water use at all stages of production.
- Potential for business creation, increased competitiveness and improved productivity in the agrifood sector.
- Support for rural population retention and strengthening of local economies, promoting long-term sustainability of the livestock sector.
Overall results offer potential for significant upscaling, creating regional climate adaptation impacts with tangible benefits for the livestock sector and its consumers.
Promoter
Livestock Cooperative of the Valley of Los Pedroches (COVAP)
* The Project promoter/beneficiary is an EIP-AGRI Operational Group ©
Funding
RDP support: 247 499 (EUR)
Ressourcen
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Context
As the global population and food demand continue to grow, pressures on water extraction for irrigation and livestock farming intensify. Agriculture currently consumes large proportions of the world’s freshwater, with significant volumes dedicated to animal production, particularly cattle farming.
Despite the crucial role of water in livestock systems, water use is often overlooked in the management of animal production. Livestock occupy approximately a quarter of the global land area for grazing, and one-third of cereal production is directed toward animal feed.
Livestock’s water footprint encompasses direct consumption, cleaning processes, and indirect use in feed production, all of which contribute to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock is responsible for potentially damaging and notable emission effects.
In dairy farming, water needs are especially high. Cows require increasing amounts of water during gestation and lactation, as milk is composed of around 80% water. Each litre of milk has been shown to need inputs of around six litres of water. In addition, cleaning and disinfecting milking equipment are essential to ensure milk safety and hygiene, which can significantly increase water consumption.
Factors such as diet, production level, ambient temperature and physiological status also affect water requirements. Contaminated water can harm animal health and productivity. Understanding and managing water quality and usage are key to improving sustainability. Concepts like water efficiency footprints can greatly help assess and optimise dairy farming environmental impacts.
This project was a collaborative effort between Spain's Centre for Research and Quality in Agro-Food, Livestock Cooperative of the Valley of Los Pedroches (COVAP), and INNOVASUR.
Objectives
Specific objectives involved:
- Confirming the main contributions to water consumption on dairy farms, expressed as volumetric water footprint, as well as the impacts associated with the production of one kilogramme of milk, corrected for fat and protein.
- Expand knowledge of water use to consolidate integrated water resource management and minimise the impact of climate change.
- Improve governance regarding water use management through the digitalisation of hydraulic networks.
- Determine key performance indicators for water management.
- Integrate and interpret the data obtained from the measurement devices.
Activities
Funds from the CAP fully financed the Operational Group’s cooperation activities in Spain's dairy sector, addressing water efficiency. This involved the following:
- Collection and analysis of previous experiences in the application of sensors and water cycle digitalisation in the livestock sector (documentary phase). The collection and analysis of data from previous experiences are crucial for understanding and developing applications tailored to the sector's needs and its users. By selecting accurate and updated data on water management in the livestock sector, specifically dairy cattle, this task evaluated and monitored water usage in livestock operations.
- Analysis and selection of farm types (documentary phase). Simultaneously with 'Activity 1', these project actions gathered data from the Cooperativa Agroganadera del Valle de los Pedroches on farm management, water consumption and productivity. Desk research helped identify factors influencing water usage. Based on this data, the farms to be included in the project were selected.
- Characterisation of farms in the project (experimental phase). This activity integrated the characterisation of both the region and the farms involved to create a comprehensive understanding of each selected farm.
- Data collection and water footprint calculation (experimental phase)
Identification of water control points
- This task identified key water control points in the water distribution systems of dairy farms, where volumetric meters were installed.
- Sensors for automated data collection were installed at designated points to facilitate real-time monitoring of water usage.
- Water footprint calculations quantified the environmental impact of water use on farms, aiming to reduce water consumption without compromising livestock health, welfare or productivity. The water footprint concept helped identify and assess these environmental impacts.
Creation of a provisioning platform (experimental phase)
- This activity implemented a web-based platform connecting applications, devices, sensors, and information systems involved in calculating the water footprint. The platform was horizontal and open, fully compatible with the UNE 178104:2017 standard and OASC recommendations. It captured, processed, and interpreted data collected from various farms and performed complex analysis for decision-support operations.
- The digital tool utilises a high-performance CEP engine that enables interpretation, learning and the generation of appropriate responses.
Main results
Thanks to the CAP funding, AQUAFARM outcomes have helped improve the efficient and sustainable management of water in Spain’s livestock sector, particularly for dairy cattle farms. This result provides a key resource to ensure the continuity of livestock activities and their impact on the Andalusian economy.
Thematic results include:
- Technical – Introducing innovative technologies like sensors, digitalisation and data processing to optimise water use at all stages of production.
- Economic – Potential for business creation, increased competitiveness and improved productivity in the primary sector.
- Environmental – Adaptation to and mitigation of climate change effects, particularly in the highly vulnerable region of southern Spain.
- Social – Support for rural population retention and strengthening of local economies, promoting long-term sustainability of farming communities.
Results also contribute to the development of the knowledge economy and align with priorities of the Andalusian innovation strategy (RIS3), promoting efficient use of endogenous resources and territorial adaptation to climate change.
Overall results offer potential for significant upscaling, creating regional climate adaptation impacts that yield tangible benefits for farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
Key lessons
- The importance of thorough diagnosis before action. AQUAFARM began by analysing water consumption in dairy farms, identifying critical usage points. This highlighted the importance of understanding the problem deeply before implementing solutions.
- Applied and adapted innovation. The project successfully adapted technologies used in urban water networks to the rural and livestock context, showing how cross-sector innovation can be highly effective.
- Digitalisation and data as key tools: Real-time data collection and analysis using smart meters and sensors are central to efficient management. Informed decision-making is only possible with accurate, timely data.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration. AQUAFARM brought together a tech centre (CICAP), a livestock cooperative (COVAP) and a technology firm (INNOVASUR), proving the value of integrating diverse expertise.
- Alignment with public strategies and funding. The project's alignment with Andalusian initiatives, such as PERTE and RIS3, facilitated public funding and strategic relevance, which was key to ensuring its long-term viability.
Before you start, make sure you truly understand the problem you’re trying to solve. Build a team with diverse and complementary expertise—technology, production, management—and align your project with current public priorities like sustainability and digitalisation. Start small with a measurable pilot, find strategic allies, and never underestimate the power of data. Lastly, communicate your progress—if you don’t share your story, no one will know what you’re achieving.
Emilio de León