The second edition of the Water Forum, organized by La Razón, was held last Friday in Madrid and solidified its position as a key event for discussing the current and future challenges of water management in Spain. In a context marked by climate change, aging infrastructure, and the need for regulatory adaptation, the forum brought together high-level representatives from the institutional, technical, and business sectors.
Under the title “Water infrastructure, the key to management in a climate change scenario”, the forum brought together leading voices from the water sector to discuss the main challenges facing the country, including Facsa. The company's participation was represented by its CEO, Jose Claramonte, who took part in the event alongside other leading figures from the institutional and business sectors, such as Mariano González, CEO of Canal de Isabel II; Simón Pulido, Director of Next Generation at Veolia Spain; and Álvaro Real, Director General of Infrastructure for the Regional Government of Andalusia. Key issues such as network renewal, digitalization of the water cycle, energy efficiency, and sustainability in agricultural water use were addressed during several roundtable discussions.
During her speech, Claramonte warned about the serious lack of renewal plaguing the country's water infrastructure, both in networks and in supply and treatment plants. "We have obsolete infrastructure with a significant need for renewal," she stated, while emphasizing that the replacement rate remains well below the 2.1% to 3% recommended by international organizations.
The director of Facsa also denounced that this deficit is largely due to a "subsidized urban cycle economy," which has hampered necessary investments for years. In this regard, he noted that the annual investment shortfall in the sector is estimated at 5 billion euros, a figure that will increase with the entry into force of the new European directives related to decarbonization.
Infrastructures designed under the principles of the circular economy
In the last five years, Facsa The company has made a strategic shift in its business model with the creation of a division specializing in water infrastructure. This move reflects the company's commitment to developing sustainable solutions capable of addressing the challenges of climate change through resource optimization, energy efficiency, and water reuse. In this regard, the company is promoting infrastructure designed according to the principles of the circular economy, a key element for ensuring more resilient and environmentally responsible management. Currently, it manages a project portfolio valued at €11.7 million, with a forecast of reaching €30 million by the end of 2025. "We have outdated infrastructure with a significant need for renewal, both in networks and in water supply and treatment plants," explained Claramonte, who emphasized that the European Next Generation funds have provided a crucial "injection of liquidity" for public administrations to promote new sustainable investments.
Digitalization was another key theme of his speech, where he outlined the commitment of Facsa with the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and smart meter management systems. Among the success stories, he mentioned the first public gas injection facility in Spain, as well as innovative developments in hydrolysis, sanitization, and energy recovery of biogas.
All the speakers agreed that ensuring water security in the face of climate change requires sustained investment, effective governance, and a firm commitment to technology. This edition of the 2nd Water Forum has consolidated the event as a leading platform for knowledge exchange, the promotion of joint solutions, and collective commitment to a resource essential for the country's future.
