How can we foster a more efficient use of water in Almería, Europe´s driest region? This is the question that the Almería competency group of the REWAISE project faced during its first workshop, which took place on September 19th. This meeting was designed as a kick-off for new activities, where the efficient implementation of water reuse and resource management, beyond pilot scale, was evaluated. Based on the topics discussed, finally, the group decided to focus on governance, as the base for all other actions.
As an introduction, the project REWAISE was explained, and the AnMBR (anaerobic membrane bioreactor) technology was presented as a key tool for sustainable water reuse, developed by the CALAGUA (University of Valencia) team, and part of an “innovation deal” to overcome classical regulatory obstacles.
Within the Living Lab of REWAISE in Spain, the creation of the competency group is part of the stakeholder engagement, coordinated by WE&B, which animated the session. Aqualia, as project coordinator and managing all water services in Almeria for more than 30 years, has a highly active presence in the area, both with a series of R&D projects, and close relations with the local governments, and played a key role in this first meeting.
The event was organised by UAL and CIESOL team, which also manages a Living Lab on sustainable desalination in the sister project WATER-MINING and host the Aqualia’s Integral Water Cycle Chair . These contacts allowed to mobilize representatives of the public administration, like the Andalusia Government and the Almería Council; the scientific community, like the Solar Platform of Almería (PSA), the user community, with the Cuatro Vegas Irrigation Association; and the business environment, with ASEMPAL (Business Confederation of the Almería Province).
Originally planned to last for 2 hours, the session was extended for one more hour because of the high interest of the participants and will continue with active follow-up during the next months to contribute to a vivid ecosystem around sustainable water services.
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