Demetrios G. Eliades from the KIOS research Centre co-organised, together with Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri and Professor Marios Polycarpou, an interactive workshop under the framework of the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant “Water Futures.” The event brought together key stakeholders in water distribution to explore pressing challenges and emerging solutions for the sector.

The workshop focused on some of the most urgent issues in water distribution, including:

• Demand management and pricing
• Water losses and technological solutions
• Droughts and water supply management

The discussions extended beyond technical perspectives, delving into social dynamics, operational capacity, and human factors that significantly influence non-revenue water and, by extension, the financial sustainability of water utilities. Particular emphasis was given to the water-energy-climate nexus, highlighting how these interconnected factors impact water production costs.

Participants also discussed the need for prioritising investments, ensuring supportive policies, and mobilising appropriate financial instruments. During the workshop, valuable insights were gathered on the drivers, impacts, barriers, and potential solutions related to water distribution challenges. These findings will be synthesised into a comprehensive report to inform future strategies and policymaking.

As part of his presentation, Demetris showcased the Horizon Europe IDEATION project’s OpenKIWAS AI Tool—an innovative, LLM-enabled solution designed to support policymakers, managers, and operators. The tool enables users to extract knowledge from a vast database of scientific results, directives, project outcomes, and data, providing actionable insights for water governance and decision-making.

The workshop successfully bridged the gap between technical expertise and policy priorities, underlining the importance of holistic approaches to water distribution management. With the insights collected, and innovative tools like OpenKIWAS paving the way, IDEATION continues to contribute to resilient, efficient, and sustainable water systems across Europe.