THE EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Aqualogy · new horizons 03_EDITORIAL_EN.indd 3 19/12/14 13:49...

MAGAZINENº5 - WINTER 2014

AQUALOGY - Where water lives

BRAZILA WATER

MANAGEMENT LABORATORY

FOOD THE CHALLENGE OF EATING HEALTHILY

WHILE MODERATING WATER CONSUMPTION

>AQUA FREED® AND AQUA GARD® Cleaning techniques

that respect our natural resources

THE EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY

A versatile and powerful technique that is easy to maintain

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More than waterTalent, knowledge and commitment.We provide adequate responses formore efficient management.We share knowledge and wegenerate innovation.We work for a future based oncommitment and cooperation.

INTEGRATED WATERSOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT

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EDITORIAL

Awareness is growing about the scarcity of natural resources and about the urgent need to optimize their use, consumption and management. Limited water resources represent a situation which concerns all industrial sectors since water is required for most industrial processes.In this edition of Aqua Magazine we are shining a spotlight on the food and drink industry. The areas in which energy and water effi ciency measures can be introduced go beyond processing plants to include the entire supply chain, from the fi eld to end product distribution. One example of a company doing pioneering work on its water footprint is Estrella de Levante, recently accredited by Aenor, the Spanish Standards Institute. Aqualogy, for its part, has earned the SGE21 accreditation for Sustainable Development. We visit the United Kingdom, world leader in water management, where José María Paredes explains our portfolio of products that adapt to the needs of each market and customer who expects high standards of technology and customer service. In a diff erent hemisphere, we take a closer look at Latin America’s biggest economy. Brazil is facing some important challenges as it tries to defi ne is development roadmap over the next few years, with water management labelled as top priority. New approaches and new perspectives are needed. It is just as important to upgrade and complete

infrastructure as it is to innovate in order to modernize water management models and apply advanced solutions.Innovating and protecting water resources is the day-to-day task of industry professionals, taking account of the increasing interconnection between sustainable development models, economic viability and social benefi t and the conservation/protection of natural resources and the environment. We will take an in-depth look at Aqua Freed® and Aqua Gard®, two examples of sustainable innovation.A conversation with Leon Sandler off ers a refl ection on and a methodical analysis of the shortest route between a product’s innovation and its profi table launch on the market. Every day, a part of Himar González’s work involves observing nature. Meteorology is not just her chosen profession; being able to forecast the weather, if only in the short term, and to share what she observes, is her passion.As 2015 fast approaches, it is time to make a note of two events: the year will start with the introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals that will be taking over from the Millennium Development Goals. And at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21), it is hoped that a legally binding agreement will be reached between all nations that will allow steps to be taken against climate change.

Thriving industries, new horizons

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6. FLASHESProvisur Project in Peru. Beer with a footprint. Aqualogy SGE 21 standard for sustainable manage-ment. And more...

10. SPOTLIGHT ONLeon Sandler, director of the Desh-pande Center, believes that there are more businesses interested in sustainability and the environment.

17. STORIES IN FIGURESWater recycling allows us to reuse our natural resources, giving them a new life, and off er a solution to areas where water shortage is a problem.

18 VIP INTERVIEWJosé María Paredes, Sales Director at Aqualogy and Head of Business Development Water Europe tells us about the company’s interna-tional expasion plans.

34.THE IMAGE The Sant Viçens del Horts (Barcelona) fi ltration reservoir, a prime example of biodiversity conservation.

SUMMARY

EDITED BY: AQUALOGY Editorial Board Chairman: Ángel Simón.Editorial Board General Coordinator: Juan Antonio Guijarro.Editorial Board: Narciso Berberana, Manuel Cermerón, José Guerra, José María Paredes, Ciril Rozman, Pedro Vega. Director: José Guerra.Coordinator: Josep M. Deu.Writers: Robert Lozano, Sandra Llobell, Vicente Jorge and José Luis de Francisco. Language Advisor: Sandra Rubio, Traducción y Tratamiento de la Documentación, SL.Also participating in this edition: Fundación Aquae, Ferran Martí, www.aqualogy.net

PRODUCED BY: LA FACTORÍ@Prisa Revistas. Valentín Beato, 48. 28037 Madrid. Tel. 915 38 61 04. La Factoría Manager: Virginia Lavín. Assistant Manager: Javier Olivares. Art Department Manager and Coordinator: Andrés Vázquez. Coordinator and Writer: Juan Lucio. Head of Photography:Paola Pérez. Art Director Rodríguez y Cano. Correspondents: Javier de la Cruz, Miquel Echarri, Jano Remesal and Beatriz Valdeón. Production:Asip (Agrupación de Servicios de Internet y Prensa, SL). PRINTED BY: Monterreina. Legal Deposit: M-7540-2013.

WINTER2014

26. OUR CLIENTS

FOOD: WATER TO DRINK AND EAT Water is a basic resource in the production of the raw materials to be consumed, but it is also an indispensable component in production processes and in food industry hygiene.

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32. HOW IT WORKS Aqua Freed® and Aqua Gard® work in cleaning wells to extract underground water resources.

35. WATER PLANETThe decisions taken by a compa-ny to protect rights to water go beyond economic interests.

38. VIEWPOINTMeteorologist Himar González’s maritime inspiration.

22. IN PROGRESS

EXPANSION IN BRAZILAqualogy faces a big challenge in this huge Latin Amercian country, which holds the largest reserves of fresh water in the world. Unequal distribution and inadequate basic infrastructure are the challenges facing water resource management in Brazil. A market that demands advanced solutions.

12. SOLUTIONS

THE ELECTRONTHAT PURIFIESElectrochemical technology is an effi cient aid in the treatment of wastewater.It removes contami-nants, it takes up very little space, it generates little sludge and is easy to maintain.

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KDAY 2014, the annual event that brings together the representatives of the Group’s knowledge man-agement network, has served as confi rmation that the radical changes made to our business model and mind-set that the organization initiated fi ve years ago have now become the hallmark of its culture. Our business is now based on innovation, sustainable development and excellence in the management of its operations.At the event, knowledge experts from Repsol, Gas Natural Fenosa, Asepeyo and Aqualogy held a debate about this shift in management approach and came to the following conclusions: these programmes must have the backing of the companies’ management teams; their participation is needed and we must not be afraid of sharing knowledge. The rules of the game are changing.

2KDAY2014: FROM A

UTILITIES FIRM TO A

KNOWLEDGE COMPANY

Aqualogy is to oversee the construction of the fi rst desalination plant being built by Sedapal, the largest water company in Peru. This new facility will benefit the 100,000 inhabitants of the dis-tricts of Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Barto-lo and Santa María, prestigious spa towns to the south of Lima. The contract, forming part of the Provisur Pro-ject, will also collect sea water to be treated in the desalination plant and includes reservoirs, drink-ing water distribution grids and sewer networks, as well as a wastewater treatment plant. Tedaguan, through its concession holder, Desala-dora del Sur, is the company that will be building both treatment plants and will hold the conces-sion for the facilities for the next 25 years.

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Aqualogy to overseethe Provisur Project in Peru

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NEWS IN 10 FLASHES

The Estrella de Levante (Damm Group) brewery is the fi rst company in the industry to obtain the Aenor Water Footprint certifi cate, calculated by Aqualogy. This certifi cate is awarded for the effi cient management of water resources, a vital procedure in the beer brewing process.

BEER WITH A FOOTPRINT

The company is to carry out main-tenance on the new desalination plant at Anglo American Chile’s Mantoverde mine. The plant pro-duces 120 litres of water per second for industrial use and is located 40 kilometres from the mine, close to the town of Flamenco in the north of Chile, an area with a severe water shortage. These facilities are essential for the economic devel-opment of the area.

Maintenance work in Chile

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Remote reading of water meters for the clients of Txingudi Services is now a reality in Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa). Aqualogy, in a temporary joint venture with IKOR Metering, is to conduct this remote reading thanks to long-range VHF radio technology which can provide hourly readings for more than ten years with a minimum out-lay in equipment, thus optimizing maintenance costs.

Remote meter reading in Hondarribia

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Utility Service Group (USG), an Aqualogy company in the United States, has consolidated its position in the well maintenance market through a number of projects.In Brookings (South Dakota) it has removed the iron that was obstructing the water fl ow in its nine wells. In Festus (Missouri), the production capacity of a collector aff ected by oxides and bio-fi lm has been restored. And in Auburn (Nebraska) it will be tasked with regen-erating the capacity of ten wells current-ly in a bad state of repair.

USG consolidates its US market

Aqualogy’s operation in Poland is bear-ing fruit. On the one hand, it has won the contract for the supply and installation of a thermal sludge drying plant for the dairy fi rm Mleka Ekolowiczanka Sp in the town of Lowicz in the Lodz region. This new ther-mal drying system (TDS) will enable us to grow our market to include medium and small-scale industries. On the other hand,Aq u a l o g y Po l a n d , t o g e t h e r w i t h i t s Brit ish col leagues, has conducted the first Ice Pigging pilot test in the coun-t r y. T h e t e s t , c a r r i e d o u t i n Wa r -saw over three days, was a completesuccess, and has improved the condition of the sewer network that had deteriorated over the years.

EXPANSION OF

AQUALOGY POLAND

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Playing with water responsiblyThis is the goal of the Ôasys project that was presented at Imagine Silicon Valley held in Barcelona. Ôasys, sponsored by Aqualogy and developed by the ‘dreamers’ (as the participants are known), Catalina Balseiro (Aqualogy), Carolina Uribe (Ima-gine CC) and Daniel Benito (PwC), aims to interact and experiment with water in an intelligent and sensory way. For example, through Ôasys, a family’s daily water consumption can be moni-tored in real time with a tablet, noting whether they are well hydrated and detecting any leaks. This data can be compared with the town in which they live and with other families and can be shared on social media. Ôasys is a game for families who wish to encourage their children to adopt positive habits in the use of water. The General Manager of Aqualogy Solutions, David Hernández,

Innovation Providing a ResponseThe European Innovation Partner-ship (EIP) Water Conference 2014 took place in Barcelona where par-ticipants refl ected on and debated water issues, and innovation proved to be the perfect opportunity for new projects. Aqualogy presented three: the “Demonstrate Ecosys-tem Services Enabling Innovation in the Water Sector”, project, so-lutions for water shortage in urban areas: the “Innovative Hybrid MBR

Systems to promote Water Reuse”, which deals with the problems of shortage of wastewater, the elimi-nation of contaminants in the urban water cycle and the demonstration and optimization of techniques for reusing wastewater; and fi nally the “Water Cycle Effi ciency Improve-ment by Boosting Industrial Water Reuse” project, which aims to en-courage industrial reuse of regene-rated urban water.

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has confirmed that Aqualogy is to work with the dreamers to turn the Ôasys prototype into reality.

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Aqualogy certifi es its sustainable development management to the SGE 21 standardAS A TESTIMONY TO OUR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT.

Aqualogy has passed the audit to obtain the SGE 21:2008 Standard certification. Through this certificate, Forética – the body that set up the standard and issues the certifi cate – endorses the company’s social, economic and environ-mental commitment and the mechanisms it has introduced to manage them. This standard guarantees that Aqualogy, in addition to being the leading brand in integrated water solutions for sustainable development, also manages its business in a sustainable manner.

10SOME 300 OF THE COMPANY’SEMPLOYEES were involved in its IMPLEMENTATION

NEWS IN 10 FLASHES

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Leon Sandler hasn’t the slightest objection to complying with the photographer’s instructions, who pho-tographs him as he crosses the hotel lobby and as he quickly finishes off his morning coffee and who suggests he poses standing next to the Agbar Tower in Barcelona. The scientist and academic jokes “This man has been following around me since I landed in Spain. He orders and I obey, so I suppo-se by now we make an excellent team.” Teamwork is certainly something Sandler has respect for. Born in Dur-ban (South Africa) in 1950, he trained as a chemical engineer. This affable and friendly man who is contagiously enthusiastic is one of the speakers at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week taking place in Barcelona. He has been invited by Aqualogy and its School of Water as the representative of the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation of the Massachusetts Institu-te of Technology of which he has been executive director since 2006.

You live and work in an enviable place, in one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.It’s a privilege for me as I am in daily contact with some of the most brilliant

Leon Sandler

THIS EXPERT BELIEVES THAT TODAY COMPANIES ARE MORE INTERESTED IN PROJECTS RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

SCIENTIST AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DESHPANDE CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AT MIT

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SPOTLIGHT ON

>SELECTIONA large number of technological innovation projects are submitted to his institution, but onlya few are chosen to go ahead.

minds in the world. As a scientist, I am passionate about seeing how ideas that in perhaps fi ve or six years will develop into really useful technological innova-tions are born in the classrooms and labs.

What does your work involve?We try to build a bridge between the MIT and the business world by fun-ding technological innovation projects that are in the initial stages of their de-velopment. We receive between 30 and 40 projects a year from which we select a maximum of 12.

What are the criteria a project must meet in order to receive funding?We take into account two basic cri-teria: that it has a possibility of being commercially viable and that it is mature enough to move out of the lab within a reasonable period of time. If a project is not commer-

cially viable, we turn it down. And if it is too green, we ask the people responsible to keep working on it.

On your website it insists that you look for projects that could have a positive impact on the world.We understand the word impact in a flexible sense. Not all of them need to be ambitious projects that are going to change the world or ge-nerate million dollar businesses. For example, we have financed a new type of adhesive surgical bandage,

a modest innovation and initially of li-mited scope, but it is useful and prac-tical for patients and health workers.

What is the percentage of success you achieve?Only one out of every four pro-jects develops into an econo-mica l ly feas ib le product . But no project fails completely be-cause we extract useful conclusions from them all. We learn a great deal from our so-called failures.

Do any of them have any connec-tion to sustainability and water culture?Yes. A few years ago we funded a water treatment method generated by hy-draulic fracturing (fracking). And right now we are promoting one related to the desalination of sea water in which we are working with Mazda Universi-ty in Abu Dhabi. At the moment it is easier to find companies interested in projects to do with sustainability, the environment and energy efficiency.

Are you optimistic about the positive eff ect of technology in these fi elds? I am a political pessimist, but a tech-nological optimist. We are in time to save the planet and to improve the living conditions of a large part of the world’s population thanks to technology.

That’s good news...Of course. If you ask me what big technological innovations are going to occur in the short term, I would say probably very few or none at all, be-cause scientifi c progress is not measu-red in months. But if you were to ask me what I hope technology can do for us over the next 30 or 40 years, I would say that I believe some big changes with an enormous positive impact will occur. Alternative energy sources will replace ineffi cient fossil fuels, we will find solutions to the shortage of fresh water, we will limit the negative impact of climate change... What we cannot forecast or prevent are catastrophes, or a leader leading his country into disaster. That’s why I am a political pessimist.

“THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY, WE CAN SAVE THE PLANET AND IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF A LARGE PART OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION”

>INFORMATIVE TALKLeon Sandler was at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Barcelona. The scientist talked about his knowledge and experience at the conferences and during his meetings with participants.

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THE PURIFYINGELECTRON

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SOLUTIONS

ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY IS AN EFFICIENT METHOD OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT. IT

ELIMINATES MANY CONTAMINANTS, GENERATES LITTLE SLUDGE, IT OCCUPIES LITTLE SPACE AND IS EASY TO MAINTAIN.


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SOLUTIONS

ELECTROCHEMISTRY

MAY BE APPLIED TO ALMOST

EVERY INDUSTRY.POLLUTED WATER IS CONVERTED INTO PURIFIED WATER SUITABLE FOR DISPOSAL OR

IT IS IMPROVED READY FOR

OTHER TREATMENTS

“It produces much sadness to think that nature speaks but humanity does not hear it.”The person mak-ing this complaint was Victor Hugo. Way back in the 19th century, the author of Les Miserables was also a visionary with regard to the planet’s sustainability.Today, fortunately, this issue oc-cupies an important place on the agenda of modern society. Some-thing has changed since Hugo’s statement of frustration. This social imperative, embodied in law, has gradually curtailed the presence of certain polluting substances in in-dustrial waste. Industry as a whole, has had to adapt to these changes. It has increased in-

vestment in order to minimize the environmental impact of its business activities. Nevertheless, some sectors are find-ing this process more diffi cult. These are industries which generate refrac-tory (resistant to conventional treat-ment) or toxic waste. Wastewater from these industries contains non-biodegradable compounds, dyes, deter-gents, oils, heavy metals or other sub-stances that are difficult to treat with conventional biological, chemical or physical processes. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry, mining, the oil and gas sector, the automotive and food industries are just a few examples. From a business point of view, all these industries have the same requirements

DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES

DIFFERENT TREATMENTS

There are three types of technology for the treatment of wastewater that work on this

principle. Each of them is designed for diff er-ent types of industries.

ELECTROCOAGULATIONThis process converts contaminants that are in a soluble state in the wastewater into solid

substances. When the iron or aluminium of the anode oxidizes it causes the contaminating sub-stances to coagulate. This technology reduces the production of sludge by up to 70% com-

pared with conventional water treatments. This process is recommended for removing heavy

metals, fl uoride, phosphates, emulsions and oil from the wastewater while also cleansing

it of bacteria, viruses and parasites. It removes all the contaminants at the same time. There

is no need to stage the process.

ELECTROOXIDATIONThe contaminants oxidize through direct con-tact with the anode, or indirectly through the

generation of oxidizing compounds in the water. Once treated, the water is clear, colourless and odourless, and in most cases it is suitable for

disposing of or for reuse in industry. This tech-nique can be applied to a long list of sub-

stances. These include soluble organic substances, refractory or non-biodegradable

compounds, pesticides and herbicides, pharma-ceutical agents and hydrocarbons, disinfecting bacteria, viruses and parasites. It does not gen-

erate sludge or waste concentrates.

ELECTROPEROXICOAGULATION This technique uses hydrogen peroxide to gen-erate free radicals, which are highly reactive, oxidizing any contaminant present. It is suit-able for use on chemical and pharmaceutical

compounds and it also eliminates carcinogenic, aniline and highly toxic products.


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with regard to treating their wastewa-ter. The treatment process must have a minimum environmental impact and maximum effi ciency and it must apply the most advanced technology possi-ble at the lowest cost. Electrochemical techniques pro-vide the answer. Aqualogy is the company spearheading this pro-cess. It employs experts in the field with the appropriate know-how. It has all the latest material re-sources, including two semi-industrial pilot plants for on-site demonstrations that generate tangible results tailored to the needs of each client. Electro-chemistry may be applied to almost all industries. Highly polluted water is converted into purified water suitable for disposal at the end of the process, or into water that is more readily biode-gradable, which may undergo further treatment.

SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGESCompared with other treatments, electrochemistry off ers some signifi -cant advantages. First, its versatility in eliminating a wide range of contam-inants, generating very little sludge, and it is confined to a considerably smaller physical space. It is a meth-od that does not require any major work as it is simple to assemble and expand. It is self-cleaning, easy to maintain and it is a highly automated process. Finally, the cost is in propor-tion to the pollution load.What is the basic principle by which electricity is able to treat polluted water? The key factor lies in the de-stabilization of the polluting mole-cules. This process is activated by two electrodes: the anode and the cathode. The objective of electro-chemical technology is to coagulate and precipitate, or “oxidize” and de-

AQUALOGY

MIQUEL BLASIHead of electrochemical

technology at Aqualogy

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Four reasons for developing electrochemical technology...Versatility, processing power, space and adaptability. Versatility, because it can treat a huge range of contaminants and water types. Powerful, because it can process loads that are too large or too diffi cult for other techniques. Space, because of its compact size. And fi nally, adaptability, because it is modular and mobile. It can be expanded and it can be transported to diff erent places. What markets is it most suited to? Four, basically. The extraction of hydrocarbons generates water that is diffi cult to treat due to the many contaminants it contains, and on account of the space and mobility required. Electrochemistry works well in this scenario. Also in landfi ll sites. The treatments of leachates are not completely eff ective. Electrochemistry does treat leachates and can be used with other technologies to ensure its durability. Mining is another area. There are serious problems with the treatment of many heavy metals and sulphate type salts. Electrochemistry can treat these and recover water, valuable metals and reactive sulphuric sub-stances. Another fi eld is the chemical-pharmaceutical industry. Electrochemistry is very eff ective here because it occupies little space, it generates little or no sludge.


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grade as much as possible the pollut-ing components in the water. But, let’s go back in time for a mo-ment. The use of electricity to treat wastewater is not new. It dates back to 1899. England was the birthplace of this technology, where over ten years some genuine milestones were ac-complished. In 1904, metals dissolved in water were recovered for the first time, and in 1909, electrocoagulation with aluminium and iron was patented in the United States. But initially, the use of electricity was very costly. Today, electrochemical processes are not only comparable with other pro-cesses in terms of cost, but they are also more efficient, more compact and more automated.Aqualogy offers an integrated ser-vice to its industrial clients. Each case is studied carefully in order to pro-vide the solution which best adapts to their needs. In order to determine which electrochemical technique will resolve the problem, pilot testing is carried out within the lab. The results help to get an idea of the investment and operation costs needed for an in-dustrial plant.In addit ion, Aqualogy has two semi-industrial pilot plants, equipped with the three basic technologies. The plants are mobile modules which allow testing on an almost industrial scale on the client’s premises.

THE USE OF

ELECTRICITY TO

TREAT WASTEWATER

ORIGINATED IN

ENGLAND AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY

> CLEANING WATER The objective of electrochemical tech-nology is to coagulate and precipitate, or “oxidize” and degrade as much as possible the polluting compo-nents in the water.

THREE SUCCESSFUL CASES

BELGIUM: Aqualogy is introducing electrochemical technology into a factory in

the chemical industry which produces an additive to increase the energy potential

of diesel. The high levels of nitrates in the water mean that they need to be reduced

by 80% in order to dispose of the water. The company diagnosed that the organic

substances needed to be eliminated from the wastewater in order to reuse it in the

processes of another production unit. It is to design and build a plant based on the

electroperoxicoagulation process to carry out this procedure.

SPAIN: also using the electroperoxicoagulation process, Aqualogy eliminates the

organic substances and heavy metals from the wastewater of an automotive plant in

Spain, with an effi ciency of 80% of non-biodegradable organic material being removed.

PORTUGAL: Aqualogy treats effl uent from an antibiotic production line in a

pharmaceutical company. In order to protect the environment and public health, this

Portuguese factory electrocoagulates and electrooxidizes this effl uent to reduce the

level of non-biodegradable organic substances from 15,000 mg/l to 750 mg/l. In other

words, the toxicity of the wastewater is reduced to minimum levels.


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AQUALOGY Integrated water solutions for sustainable development

STORIES IN FIGURES

The possibility of reusing wastewater through water treatment processes, its degree of purifi cation determined by the fi nal use to which it will be put, is a good example of circular economy as it generates new resources. Water reuse is also a solution of signifi cant importance in areas prone to water shortage.

WATER REUSE

71%52%

17%22%

7%5%

4%9%

1%12%

AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT RECREATIONAL URBAN INDUSTRIAL

USE OF WASTE WATER ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WATER REUSE PLAN

OTHER CITIES:

BY ACTIVITY

BY INTERREGIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC DEMARCATION

AQUALOGY

UNITED STATES

IS THE LEADING COUNTRY IN TERMS OF TOTAL VOLUME OF WASTE WATER

TREATED AND REUSED, WITH

2,800 hm3/year

TEXAS AND CALIFORNIAare the states with the largest

infrastructure for the production and management of recycled water.

KUWAIT IS WORLD LEADER

35.2%is the percentage of

water reused.

IN SPAIN According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics

(INE), the total volume of water reused in 2012 was

550 hm3ONLY JUST OVE R 12% OF THE WATE R THAT P ASSE S

THROUGH THE M ORE THAN 2,500 WWTPS (WASTE WATE R TRE ATM E NT P LANTS) IS RE USE D.

Street cleaning. The recycled water

distribution network in Madrid supplies 6 hm3/year. The Metropolitan Area of

Barcelona reused 4.6 hm3 in 2013.

URBAN

Irrigation water for golf courses and gardens. An

18-hole golf course requires 500,000 cubic metres per year.

On the Costa del Sol 7 hm3 is used to water

27 golf courses.

RECREATIONAL

The largest use with 70% of the

total. Murcia has 53 treatment plants

generating recycled water. They treat a

volume of 55 hm3/year.

AGRICULTURE

A paper manufacturer has a recycling plant

through which it recycles around 3.83/year, which it uses to make recycled paper.

INDUSTRIAL

Natural environments.La Albufera wetlands in Valencia (55 hm3/year). Aquifer replenishing in

Catalonia (42 hm3 in 2015). Barrier against saline intrusion in Llobregat.

ENVIRONMENT

506 TREATMENT PLANTS AROUND THE WORLD. TREATMENT CAPACITY OF 4.2 hm3/ day

Mapocho WWTP (Chile), 570,000 m3/day: the Torrevieja plant treats 60,000 m3/day and Arroyo de la Miel, 40,000 m3/day

THAT USE RE CYCLE D WATE R

SINGAPORE, WINDHOEK

ANTWERP & BERLIN

396 hm3/year162 hm3/year The SEGURA and JÚCAR basins are forecast to be recycling the largest volumes of water by 2021.

2006

2021

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18 AQUA

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AQUA 1919

AS AMBASSADOR FOR THE AQUALOGY PORTFOLIO, HE IS POINTING THE PERISCOPE OF EXPANSION

AT OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. WE JOINED JOSÉ MARÍA PAREDES IN LONDON

WHERE HE TOLD US ABOUT HIS PLANS.

“With its integrated services, Aqualogy

is breaking into markets demanding advanced

technology”

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He lives like a true Londoner in the city he moved to in April 2014 when Aqualogy opened its office in Baker Street. “It sounds familiar because this is where Sherlock Holmes lived” he hastens to explain. He has a 13 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son with whom he is exploring the city. “Here, there is always something to do.” For him, London is a springboard, and not only on a personal level: “A company that is successful here is able to supply high-tech solutions to any country with a diff erent environment.”

Given that Aqualogy defi nes itself as a global compa-ny, it makes sense that a capital city should have a place in it. Is this why you are in the UK? Aqualogy is a global brand and it focuses its solutions on the needs of each client. It is aware of their diverse require-ments and the specifi c local factors in terms of water. The regulations here in this market lead us to understand that the water utilities companies which control the water sup-ply in the UK are well advanced in managing this resource. Therefore, they are large consumers of high-tech servic-

VIP INTERVIEW

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AQUA20

es and highly qualifi ed suppliers. We have to be there, providing services to these companies as it serves as a shop window to the rest of the world.

Is the British model one to be followed? Privatization in the UK has been suc-cessful. It began in the 1980s when Mar-garet Thatcher stated, “Private man-agement is much more efficient than public management”. That triggered the privatization process that has culmi-nated today and one which British citi-zens consider to have been a successful process. Nobody questions it here; this resource has been well managed by pri-vate enterprise.

How did they achieve this? The government does not get involved in the management of resources. It limits itself to regulating it. But it is very strict in supervising this regulation. Every fi ve-year investment plan is un-dertaken with the participation of the public and private enterprises, involving the public, academics and scientists. Between them all they arrive at a con-sensus on what the water utilities should develop over the following five years. The regulator accepts the plan and monitors it strictly. And the model works well; the British water utilities are world leaders in water management.

What is Aqualogy’s diff erentiat-ing factor? Aqualogy brings a diff erent perspec-tive to water services, in both the public and private markets. Our view is quite simple: based on the client’s needs, it is made-to-measure. Other operators concentrate on a particular service or a specific technology. We place the same importance on all cus-tomers’ requests and needs.

What are the business objectives? The company’s natural market is the municipal water supply. We are enter-ing the private and industrial markets

“IN THE SEARCH FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY, THE UNITED KINGDOM REQUIRES HIGHLY QUALIFIED SUPPLIERS”

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CONSUMING MORE RESOURCES“Cities are competing with industry and agriculture

for access to increasingly scarce resources. The water being used in the world is 97% of that which exists. Demand is forecast to grow by 79 per cent by 2050. There is a dramatic struggle for access to water resources and technology will have a key role to play in alleviating this critical change.”

BUSINESS MODELS“World demand is moving away from the traditional PPP models (Public-Private Partnerships) and con-

crete solutions are required. The demand forecast for the coming years points to ‘smart’ advanced technology to resolve the prob-lems of the population. Measuring water use, preventing leaks, moving towards more recycling and environmental protection. Business is going to move in that direction, and we must adapt.”

DIALOGUE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT“Our relationships with our customers, investors, the local population, etc, has also changed with the rise of social networks. Interest groups and pressure groups emerge which are well or not

so well informed and this aff ects our management models. At Aqualogy we try to understand the interests of these groups, to establish a dialogue and to provide a coherent response to their needs, which also leads to changes in the model while conti-nuing to maintain our commitment to sustainable development.

2.

1.

3.

THREE FACTORS CHANGING

THE WORLD OF WATER

18-21 PAREDES_EN.indd 20 19/12/14 14:07

AQUA 2121

JOSÉ MARÍA PAREDES

Barcelona, 1972. BA in Economics and

Business Studies. PMD IESE.

EXPERIENCEIn the company

since 2011. Previously, Director

of EuroPraxis Consulting.

TODAY

Sales Director at Aqualogy and Head of Business Development

Water Europe.

HIS LIFE IN LONDON “I go cycling along

the Thames, and I’m exploring the real London with my

family. The Natural History Museum, British Museum...”

HAVE YOU MADE ANY DISCOVERIES? “Brick Lane market,

less overcrowded than Camden or

Portobello. It is more retro, more local, and it has stalls

selling street food.It’s always bustling. I recommend it.”

BIOPIC

through the automotive and food and drink industries and through the chemi-cal and pharmaceutical sectors.

Which other European markets is Aqualogy targeting?We are using the United Kingdom as a platform to target other European markets such as Germany because it is a reference for Aqualogy to enter mar-kets requiring high-tech solutions. Or Poland, a country under construction where infrastructure, not just for water, but on all levels, is being developed. We can add value to these processes, to their infrastructure, for both companies and governments.

Which is the Aqualogy solution that best meets the needs of the UK? The British mindset is strongly focused on buying and using advanced tech-nology. Aiming for greater effi ciency in every process, they need highly qual-ified suppliers. The most appropriate products are the most advanced ones in our portfolio, such as ice pigging for

VIP INTERVIEW

cleaning the networks. It works well as the service is interrrupted only briefly, which is what they require, and due to its high performance. There is an inter-est in thermal sludge drying, and we are leading suppliers in biosafety and in laboratory testing.

Is the United States a key market? The solutions for the American mar-ket are different, due to its particular requirements and the distribution chan-nels there are also different, the pur-chase prices are not all the same, nor are the economic models or the partners, for example. Each market has its own peculiarities. The United States inte-rests us; it’s the biggest economy in the world, with 316 million inhabitants, off er-ing continuous learning opportunities.

Climate change is a threat to water resources. People talk about circular economy and sustainable develop-ment. What is Aqualogy doing to deal with this permanent threat?For example, the SGE 21 certifica-tion we have just earned provides evidence to our stakeholders of our social, economic and environmental commitments and of the mechanisms we have introduced to manage them. And also of our fi rm commitment to sustainable development.

What are the challenges facing Aqualogy?This is summed up by Aqualogy Inte-grated Consulting, a concept to pro-vide a global response to the high-lev-el strategic requirement to tackle the big changes ocurring in relation to water worldwide and to understand how these will affect companiesand governments. We propose avalue-added off er targeted at the top management of large companies or interested bodies in the fi eld of water management, to provide them with strategic solutions and to accompany them in water-related issues.

<ON THE LONDON UNDERGROUND“It has been a successful model of privatization in the UK. And it is perceived as such by the people on the street.”

18-21 PAREDES_EN.indd 21 22/12/14 17:11

AQUA22

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AQUA 2323

IN PROGRESS

BRAZIL IS ONE OF THE EMERGING ECONOMIES DESTINED TO BECOME THE WINNERS OF

GLOBALIZATION. A COUNTRY WITH A VARIED CLIMATE, FAST-PACED URBANIZATION AND DIFFICULT

TERRAIN, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST DEMANDING LABORATORIES FOR

WATER MANAGEMENT.

With the largest economy in Latin America, 200 million inhabitants and covering an area larger than the whole of the European Union, some say that Brazil is a civilization disguised as a country. Just as an example, the fi gure plan-ned for the investment in Brazil’s National Drainage Plan is to be €170bn until the beginning of 2030. A mind-boggling fi gure. That is as if Spain were to dedicate 15% of its GDP to exclusively improving its water management. The highly dy-namic, competitive and demanding nature of Brazil’s market requires advanced solutions.Its ground and subsoil hold one of the largest reserves of fresh water in the world: overall its renewable water resources ac-count for 8,233 km3 per year, but its uneven distribution and inadequate basic infrastructure are the main challenges facing water management in Brazil. The outlook indicates that the substantial social inequalities, a weak regulatory framework

Distribution in the world’swater superpower

22_25_BRASIL_EN.indd 23 19/12/14 14:13

AQUA24

and the decline of regional companies owing to their lack of knowledge of how to exploit economies of scale require innovation in the management model, a speedier application of emerging te-chnologies and the implementation of avant-garde industry practices. These weaknesses have given rise to the paradox of the largest water power in the world occupying the 23rd posi-tion in its capacity to make this water available to its population: between only 29% and 50% of the resources budge-ted are being used. In order to accom-plish the goal of water for everyone, the investment required over the next 20 years will be ten times that invested by the public sector over the last decade. This is a huge challenge in terms of its management.

PARTNERS IN INNOVATIONSince June 2013, Aqualogy has provi-ded Technical Services to Odebrecht Ambiental, the local water manage-ment company. It is active in a broad range of tasks including meter read-ing, invoicing, payment collection, water meter management and the detection of illegal use, call centres, re-mote customer service and the Sales Back Offi ce services to the corporate group’s business units. All this is man-aged from the Integrated Services Unit (ISU) which is the core compo-nent of this partnership in pursuit of providing a quality service.This upgrading of the management model aims to generate synergies; the specialization of Back Offi ce tasks, re-duction of acquisition costs through economies of scale and income growth through improvements in the standards of service. Jonás de Miguel, Brazil Area Manager for Aqualogy, gives some clear examples: “Greater efficiency in measuring and invoicing consumption, diversification of customer service channels, proactive agent and pay-

EXPANSION IN BRAZIL

AQUALOGY PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ODEBRECHT AMBIENTAL. A PARTNERSHIP THAT SERVES MORE THAN TEN MILLION PEOPLE

AC

1.4M Pop.• Saneatins

2.3M Pop.• Foz Aguas 5• Rio das Ostras• Cachoeiro• Macaé

RIO DE JANEIRO

SANTA CATARINARIO GRANDE DO SUL

400,000 Pop.• Uruguaiana• Blumenau

4.8M Pop.Recife •

PERNAMBUCO

800,000 Pop.Goias •

SÃO PAULO

1.0M Pop.Mauá •

Mairinque • Limeira •

Santa Gertrudes •Rio Claro •

Porto Ferreira •

RRAP

PA

RO

MT

MS

PR

ES

MG

BA

MA

PI

CERN

PB

RN

ALSE

TQ

PE

RJ

SC

SP

GO

RS

GOIÁS

TOCATINS

22_25_BRASIL_EN.indd 24 19/12/14 14:13

AQUA 2525

IN PROGRESS

AQUALOGY DEVELOPS DRAINAGE

PLANS IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL AND PERNAMBUCO, FOR AROUND 4.5 MILLION

INHABITANTS. THE OPTION

FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

IMPROVING

EFFICIENCY

REGISTRY Register of customers and connections, updating and maintenance of databases.

Designed to accelerate increase in turnover.

SICAM+Optimization of inventory of water meters, based on

over one hundred years' ex-perience. The service off ers recommendations on the selection of water meters

and the preferred renovation plan.

SMART METERING Remote water meter reading

according to the specifi c requirements of the resi-dential area such as high density, large clients and

isolated clients.

AQUAPRED Detects irregularities in

water consumption, such as fraud, client

database errors, etc.

AQUACIS Information system for

managing the sales cycle of the water and drainage companies, integrating

virtual offi ces, fi eld operations and

scorecards.

ment collection policies...”. In short, this "means thinking about water security and drainage in global terms, which should lead to more euros (or reales) earned, more working hours and above all, more litres of water, through the joint work of Aqualogy-Odebrecht.

ON THE GROUNDPublic-private partnerships with local companies represent the best model for speeding up the changes to water and drainage management and also for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the strategy. Aqualogy is implementing the basic drainage master plan (water, sewers, drainage and waste) in the mu-nicipality of Santa María, in Rio Gran-de do Sul, which has a population of 260,000 inhabitants. The project was won by Aqualogy in Brazil following the awarding of the supply, installation and operation project to guarantee a system for managing sludge from a treatment plant in the town of Limeira in the State of São Paulo. Through this project Aqualogy will supply, install and operate a sewage sludge management system in the town of Limeira with a population of 280,000 in the thriving State of São Paulo. “Working in part-nership with local companies is the key to applying the best know-how to the

local situation. A growing number of wastewater treatment plants is being planned across the entire country; a big challenge and a real opportuni-ty to put our expertise into practice,” said De Miguel.The Limeira plant has physical-che-mical processes and will be extended to incorporate a secondary biological treatment using activated sludge.This system eliminates organic materials more effi ciently and doubles the pro-duction of sludge, which will require an extension to the thermal hydro-lysis by STC, Aqualogy’s first con-tract in Brazil. The next step will be the programme for minimizing water loss, an initiative in which all the wastewater companies are investing. Aqualogy Revenue Ma-nagement provides the technology and know-how needed to optimize revenue management and to improve end client satisfaction: reducing sales losses, maximizing the use of useful data, enabling technological reno-vation, cutting operational costs and generating new sources of revenue. All of the above comprises a com-plete and flexible offering under the umbrella of Revenue Management Services, which can be adapted to the needs of each customer.

<DEMANDSSubstantial so-

cial inequalities, a weak regulatory

framework and the lack of knowledge of economies of scale

demand manage-ment innovation and faster application of

new technology.

22_25_BRASIL_EN.indd 25 19/12/14 14:13

AQUA26

> BIG CONSUMER The food industry makes intensive use of water. In addtion to forming a large part of many foodstuff s, water is the main component in the washing, cooking and chilling processes, amongst others.

26-31 ALIMENTACION_EN.indd 26 19/12/14 14:17

AQUA 2727

OUR CLIENTS

FROM THE FARM TO THE TABLE; EATING HEALTHILY WHILE OPTIMIZING WATER CONSUMPTION IS THE CHALLENGE FACING US NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

FOOD

WATER FOR DRINKINGAND WATERFOR EATING

The FAO forecasts that, by 2030, the food and drink industry will consume 5.3% of the world’s to-tal energy resources. Two out of every hundred litres of water used in that year will be used in the produc-tion of food and drink. Within two decades, approxi-mately a quarter of the human environmental impact will be caused by this strategic industry. According to fi gures published recently by the Spanish Federation of Food and Drink Industries (FIAB), the de-mand for food in 2030 is expected to grow by 50% and the planet will need 40% more water to satisfy its thirst.


AQUA28

AQUALOGY

BORJA SAENZManager of the

Food and Drink Sector

What are Aqualogy’s strengths in this sector?Aqualogy focuses its eff orts on several aspects: engineering processes and reducing consumption (water and energy), solutions centred on cutting water consumption, optimizing water-related infrastructure, solutions for the treatment of diffi cult waste, monitoring the environment and health and safety (guarantee of supply, quality, etc.) and improving the management of the environment (water footprint, minimizing waste, etc.).

Where is this market heading?The natural resources that are available are all that we have. Therefore there is no option other than optimizing their use and managing them in a more effi cient way. Industry must understand that in the future it will be more focused on making savings and effi ciency than on its production processes. In this sector increasing importance will be placed on energy and water effi ciency measures, not only in the manufacturing plants, but also throughout the entire supply chain, from the fi eld to end product distribution.

How important is water in business development within your fi eld?Most processes in the industry rely on water. One clear exam-ple is the dairy business: between 25% and 40% of the water is used for auxiliary cleaning and disinfection processes and about 60% is used in cooling the heating processes that the milk undergoes. The average ratio of water consumed per litre of product is around 3.5 litres of water per one litre of milk. Without water, there is no milk. The biggest problem for the dairy industry is the generation of wastewater, between 2 and 6 litres per litre of milk processed, due to milk losses and leakages, cleaning and disinfection.

RDI. How can you innovate in this area?With regard to the Food and Drink market, we actively par-ticipate as partners in several research centres and we form part of the Food for Life European Technology Platform. In particular, we are actively involved in the “Quality, Production and Sustainability” working group.

These figures highlight the big challenge the growth in the world population will create for the inten-sive use of water resources. With-in a decade and a half, 8.3 billion human beings will be sharing the planet, leading to an increase in the use of raw materials, water and energy and also to an exponential rise in the generation of waste. Maximizing water generation while attempting to reduce its consump-tion has become an urgent priori-ty. Protecting this vital resource is becoming increasingly important due to its scarcity. Out of every hundred litres used for industrial purposes in Europe, 12 will “evap-orate” within the food sector, which has a rate of water reuse that is be-low the average for the industrial sector as a whole.

STEP BY STEP Water is a basic resource in the production of the raw materials for human consumption; everything we eat and drink. It is also a major ingredient in many foodstuffs and a component in basic food disin-fection and sterilization process-es: washing, cooking and chilling. These are vital operations needed to put varied, quality and healthy food on our table. It is also a key element in the hygiene of industrial facilities and equipment, a primary concern of the general health and hygiene standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). On any normal day in any nor-mal food factory, water is used to clean, heat, chill, produce steam and even as a solvent, without mentioning that it naturally forms part of the product itself. More than 50% of a steak, three quarters of a dish of spaghetti or 60% of French fries is water. D

IAG

RAM

: ER

NES

TO K

OFL

A

>OPTIMIZATIONIn Spain and southern Europe, water man-agement is defi ned by its shortage. Water generation must be optimized and its consumption reduced. In the food industry, water reuse is below the average for the industrial sector as a whole.


AQUA 2929

IMPACT ON THE

ENVIRONMENT

OUR CLIENTS

As such, the food business is a big consumer of water and energy, making it vital to manage its use and the waste generated correctly, as well as paying attention to any environmental impact it may have. There is growing social pressure by green groups, moving compa-nies towards incorporating sustain-able development strategies into their business. The challenges are on the table: reducing water and energy con-sumption, reuse, cutting opera-tional and maintenance costs, en-suring food safety and minimizing the waste generated as well as its environmental impact. These steps bring associated improvements for the company: they demonstrate its clear commitment to the environ-ment which can be appreciated by customers and serve as a positive differentiating factor compared with its competitors; it reduces the associated water and energy

GETTING THE BALANCE

RIGHT IN A VITAL SECTOR

Demographic growth

Food safety

Zero waste

Waste reduction and reuse

WORLDWIDE CHALLENGES

50%

50%

40%

INCREASES

FOOD SUPPLY

ENERGY DEMAND

WATER DEMAND

Forecast for 2030


AQUA30

costs, increasing its competive-ness and ensuring the profitability of the business in the long term, encouraging development and guaranteeing its future as a result of its reduced water and carbon footprint. The key to accomplish-ing these goals is to comply with environmental legislation, or if possible, keeping ahead of it in or-der to create added value.

CUSTOMER PORTFOLIOAqualogy’s partnerships in the food and drink sector speak clearly about the need to manage water correctly in the production process of all industries, including those in which we would never believe that this vital liquid has a presence. In Spain these include a variety of sectors such as biscuit manufac-turers (for three years Aqualogy has taken care of the operation and maintenance of the industri-al wastewater treatment plant at Kraft Foods Biscuits Production at Mondelez in Granollers, Bar-celona), cheesemakers, the meat industry, garden vegetables, dairy, frozen foods, and water, soft drinks and beer bottlers. Here are just two examples: Cobega distributes Coca-Cola all over Spain through t w o Re ve r s e Os m o s i s p l a n t s designed, produced and built in Tacoronte (Tenerife) by Aqualogy; the largest orange processing plant in Europe, Zumos Valencianos del Mediterráneo (Zuvamesa), lo-

<KEY ELEMENTMost industrial

processes rely on water. For example, in the dairy industry, it is used for cleaning and

disinfection and in cooling processes.

The biggest problem in this sector

is the generation of wastewater.


AQUA 3131

OUR CLIENTS

SOLUTIONS

H2O

The food and drink industry is the end consumer, and some-times it can be at the forefront in the use of diff erent water treat-ment techniques that lead to improvements in quality, clean-liness and cost savings. This good news at origin can be observed in the supermarket and in the food in our fridge.

ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGYA clean solution directed at the treatment of water and liquid waste by separating non-desirable particles through the application of electric fi elds.

ICE PIGGINGAn innovative method for cleaning pipes using liquid ice. When introduced into the pipe, it sweeps away the sediments, producing a de-scaling eff ect a thousand times higher than conven-tional draining.

LOW TEMPERATURE THERMAL SLUDGE DRYINGThis method reduces the pro-duction of sludge by 70% and improves the possibility of reusing it, saving energy and recycling it for agricul-tural use, thus optimizing its management.

WATER IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF MOSTFOOD. HALF OF TINNED TUNA AND BOIILED HAM, 85% OF YOGHURT AND 73% OF PASTA

cated in Sagunto (Valencia), has appointed Aqualogy to expand its water treatment plant . The operation and maintenance of the plant has also been outsourced to Aqualogy for the next two years.

A MODEL TO FOLLOWCETaqua is the name of the Span-ish Water Technology Centre. This partnership is working towards an integration of the areas of science, business and public administra-tion devoted exclusively to the research and development of new technologies related to the com-plete water cycle. Founded in 2007 as a non-prof-it foundation, with a stake held by the Polytechnic University of Barcelona (UPC) and by CESIC, today it comprises up to one hun-dred researchers from four differ-ent centres, more than a hundred direct external collaborators and is accessed by around 2,000 Aqual-ogy specialists from all around the world. In addition to the Catalan centre, CETaqua is also present in Galicia, Andalusia and Chile.The CETaqua network accounts for more than 85% of the RDI at Aqualogy, and has demonstrated its capacity for designing, config-uring and executing projects for al-

most any requirement in the water industry, including public funding. The more than 200 challenges it has resolved are proof of this. As an example, Estrella de Levante, of the Damm Group, has built a plant in Murcia to evaluate and certify its water footprint in partnership with Aqualogy and CETaqua. As a re-sult, it has become the first Spanish brewery to calculate its footprint and to be awarded the corre-sponding certificate by AENOR.Aqualogy provides integrated solutions for the food and drink industry, working on food safety, reducing its environmental im-pact, zero waste policies and on the reduction and reuse of waste. “The proper management of water in this sector is an issue requiring imaginative solutions to match the needs of each client” said Borja Saenz, manager of the Food and Drink industry at Aqualogy. He states that “we have achieved this through using the advances in sci-ence as an instrument to save wa-ter and protect people. We have achieved this level of excellence in innovation by investing more in research than the average in the in-dustry, with the tremendous skills and effort of our staff and also through CETaqua.” .


AQUA32

These are two of the most efficient and advanced methods for well restoration and maintenance. The primary technique, Aqua Freed®, is a shock treatment that cleans the well thoroughly when its capacity is reduced as a result of the build-up of deposits. Its “work mate”, Aqua Gard®, is employed for prevention and maintenance tasks.The main component used in the treatment is pressuri-zed liquid CO

2, which is injected at a controlled tempera-

ture to clean clogged wells, restoring their production ca-pacity and the quality of their water. CO

2 is an element that

is innocuous to the environment, it is non-polluting and non-toxic and it is low-cost, making it ideal for use in drinking water facilities.Aqua Freed® can be used on every type of groundwater collection system (vertical wells, angle wells, horizontal wells, open wells and collector wells) suffering from loss of capacity, silting, turbidity and degradation due to screen corrosion or obstruction caused by mineral salt precip-itates or biofi lm.It is more effective than other methods because it pen-etrates more deeply into the aquifer and it offers the advantage of not damaging metal pipes. The blow-down generated poses no risk to the environment, thus avoiding the problem of waste disposal created by other processes. In addition, it is a simple operation, with minimum risk to the well’s structure and it is compatible with the ISO14000 standard governing environmental management for businesses.Aqua Freed® was created by the US company Subsurface Technologies Inc. (STI). It has been used to clean more than 7,000 wells worldwide over the last 25 years. United States, Japan, Italy, Chile... and now Spain, following an agreement signed between Aqualogy and STI granting Aqualogy the exclusive distribution of this product in Spain.

HOW IT WORKS

AQUA FREED® & AQUA GARD®

CLEANING TECHNIQUES THAT RESPECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

BRUSHING and removal of deposits: the walls are thoroughly cleaned and the screens are cleaned with brushes especially designed according to the well and the type of deposits found in it.

1

AQUALOGY

CARLOS PÉREZ

Hydro-geologist

What is innovative about this technology?It provides maximum cleaning effi ciency while complying with the environmental regulations. Aqua Gard® is the only existing preventive maintenance system which does not require the pum-ping equipment to be uninstalled, a big step forward in the well restoration and cleaning market.Speed is important in this type of work. Are these fast methods?Yes. The Aqua Feed® procedure takes between 3 and 7 days, depending on the depth of the well. The Aqua Gard® operation usually takes only 24 hours.

DIA

GR

AM: E

RN

ESTO

KO

FLA

32-33 AQUAFREED_EN.indd 32 22/12/14 17:01

AQUA 3333

INFO

GR

APH

: RO

MU

ALD

O F

AUR

A

CO2 INJECTION: commercial liquid carbon dioxide is prepared on the surface, where the pressure and tempera-ture are set to the requirements of each well and is injected with a controlled fl ow which is monitored throug-out the entire process to ensure its maximum effi ciency.

EXTRACTION: swabbing is the method whereby the water is extracted from the well after the CO2 is injected. It is stimulated with pistons and air-lift. The blowdown can be dis-posed of in the ground or in a public drain after having been decanted, as it poses no risk to the environment.

2 3

A MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLEVehicle used for Aqua Freed® and Aqua Gard® cleaning and

probing procedures.

It is involved in the brushing and removal of deposits

and injects the CO2.

32-33 AQUAFREED_EN.indd 33 22/12/14 17:01

AQUA34

Water reservoirs,

quality under control

The sky at the Sant Vicenç dels Horts (Barcelona) infi ltra-tion reservoir did not promise a good day. The threatening black clouds forewarned of unsettled weather, even rain. This was the day assigned for taking samples. The light wasn’t good, but Marta Hernández pressed the shutter, click. This was how the photo was taken that won the “We are all Sustainable Development” photography com-petition in the “Pillar of Knowledge” category, organized by Aqualogy. Its aim is to promote creativity and invite people to contribute actively online towards making sustainable development a fi rm commitment for the Group. The winner said that with her photo she wanted to show that “research into the artifi cial recharging of aquifers will lead to this technique becoming a trusted method of improving our water reserves.” This improvement will ensure that suffi cient water of suffi cient quality is stored. The effi cient management of these methods of recharg-ing aquifers helps to reinforce the concept of sustainability, to ensure the future needs of society are met and to preserve our natural resources. This is to be one of the water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forming part of the World Water and Sustainable Development Day next year.

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AQUA 3535

THE IMAGE

34-35 LA IMAGEN_EN.indd 35 19/12/14 14:21

AQUA36

“Development cannot be sustainable if it is not with-in the context of safe access to water. The two con-cepts support each other, and private enterprise plays a crucial role in implementing strategies that can guarantee them both”. said Ramón Masip. This i s the c lear message that Aqua logy ’s MENA (Middle East North Afr ica) Manager made at the Sustainable Innovation Forum held in Nairobi (Kenya) in June. It was organized by Climate Action and the UN Environment Programme (PNUMA) in order to seek solutions to tackle climate change.

SEEKING A BALANCEBased on the policies established at this meet-ing in Africa, the first imperative is that the popula-tion must have safe access to water of a quality and quantity acceptable for human consumption as a basic right of all citizens. But, at the same time, we also need to support, with equal assurance, the pre-cise conditions that foster development in each area where the actions take place, to preserve the ecosystems and guarantee protection against contamination and natural disasters.

“Our company is part of this strategy and this philosophy, working on multidisciplinary aspects connected to tech-nology and science,” added Masip. “We build infrastruc-ture that meets the standards of international regulations, even improving on them, in accordance with our commit-ment to society.”

NATURAL DISASTER ALERTAs an expert in water management, Masip stresses that Aqualogy’s actions are directed towards helping cities become more resilient. To do this they must be equipped with the right tools to respond to droughts and floods –which are increasing in response to climate change– and also to other catastrophes (earthquakes, etc.). These tools include resilient structures, such as flexible water pipes and other appropriate facilities. The work focuses on providing the population with interconnected resources, including prevention strategies and rapid alert programmes.With regard to the responsibility to minimize environmen-tal risks, Ramón Masip confi rms that “we have developed a clean technology and we have facilities with increasingly smaller carbon footprints. We are also committed to using renewable energies and to transforming waste (sludge,

THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY A COMPANY TO PROTECT RIGHTS TO WATER INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, ETHICAL AND WORK-RELATED PARAMETERS THAT GO BEYOND ECONOMIC INTERESTS.

Turning the tap of Sustainable Development

36-37 PLANETA AGUA_EN.indd 36 22/12/14 17:26

AQUA 3737

PLANET WATER

>SAFETY A clean technology minimizes environ-mental risks and en-sures our responsibili-ty towards society.

TWO EFFECTIVE

PROJECTS

biogas) into valuable assets, especially in the Water-Energy cycle.” In relation to the goal of strengthening the commitment to sustainable development, he believes that “it is vital that we are able to accomplish our current needs, but without putting our future needs at risk.”We refer to susta inable development when a business activity is viable in the long term, “and this is only possible if we take account of the environmental, social and economic aspects. As professionals, we can be proud of working here”.

THE TOOLS OF RESPONSIBILITYAqualogy has the tools for monitoring our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that evaluate how we are working, measuring environmental and social inte-gration strategies, etc. “We have a very strict code of ethics and we have recently signed an initiative with the United Nations to increase anti-corruption mea-sures. The fi rm implementation of this code internal-ly is evident and also in its relationship with suppliers. We apply the Ruggie Principles (Governing Principles of the UN for Businesses and Human Rights) as part of our business strategy,” said Ramón Masip.

The projects undertaken by Aqualogy in Oran (Algeria) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia),

which have accomplished the goal of providing safe access to water, were presented at the Sustainable Innovation Forum (Nairobi, Kenya) as an example

of how a company prioritizes water quality and the environment. These are “two excel-lent examples of continuity and intensive applica-tion”, in the words of Ramón Masip. In Oran, they

had access for just a few hours a week. “We had the chance to contribute towards improving the quality of life of the population, and today, one hundred per

cent of the families have access to this resource, 24 hours a day”, he added.

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VIEWPOINT

“THE SEA IS MY CONFIDANT”

Himar González Meteorologist

She has been presenting the weekend weather forecast on television (Antena3 TV) for the last six years. This physicist from the Canary Islands believes that we are becoming more responsible about the environment.

What is the best news you would like to an-nounce with water as the main feature? That there is suffi cient supply for the entire planet and that this world is sustainable and that fi nally we are living in harmony with the natural environment and the resources the world makes available to us.

How does being born surrounded by water aff ect you as a person? The Atlantic has borne witness to every step I have taken in my life. My childhood was shaped by the sea, and it even be-came my confi dant.

Do you miss it? Yes. But if I close my eyes I can feel it. I can remember its smell, its purity and its immenseness.

Do you think we treat it badly? We don’t look after our entire planet, not just the sea, from where life originally came. However, people are now beginning to realize and are starting to adopt a diff erent attitude to try to redress the da-mage we have done so far.

Do you drink water?A lot. When I get up in the morning, before breakfast I drink a litre to a litre and a half of water. And I drink it throughout the day. On the TV, the stage managers always have a glass ready for me when I’m on the set.

Do you have a water related phrase that you like? Rather than a phrase, I have a quote by the genius Leonardo Da Vinci: “Water is the vehicle of nature”. @

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