The Cuneo Plain (Piedmont, NW Italy), like all the Po Plain, is characterized by intense agricultural activities that heavily rely on seasonal water availability, which is now challenged by the climate crisis. In particular, the increased vulnerability to frequent drought emergencies is demonstrated by losses in agricultural yields. Consequently, groundwater resources have been a great tool to buffer temporary water scarcity and mitigate the drought risk. Groundwater irrigation, however, can prove to be a maladaptation practice if local aquifers are overexploited. For this reason, the assessment of the groundwater stress in the Cuneo Plain was carried out with innovative methodologies. As a result, a significant depletion was recognized, therefore, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is presented as possible solution, as it allows to convey into the subsoil, during winter times, the water in excess coming from the surrounding streams and recover it downstream through the historical drainage trenches present on site, known as "fontanili", during summertime, when the irrigation demand peaks.