The Chair Facsa–Fovasa Environment The Department of Water, Waste and Circular Economy at the UPV has organized the technical conference 'Water management in Spain', a meeting that has highlighted the main challenges that agents involved in water management must address immediately.
At the beginning of the event, a general overview was presented based on Facsa's first study on the water management model in Spain. This report highlights the country's need for water management infrastructure and investment. It also points to the necessity of establishing a single tariff structure and creating a National Water Fund to facilitate investment through public-private partnerships.
Following this, a round table discussion moderated by Elena Zuriaga, technical manager of R&D&I at Facsa, took place, in which Pascual Maximino, head of supply at Facsa, Gema Carmona, senior consultant at RED2RED, and Manuel Pulido, director of the University Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering Research, addressed important topics such as how certain meteorological phenomena aggravated by climate change, such as prolonged drought or episodes of torrential rain, are affecting water management.
During the conversation, they agreed that a paradigm shift in the management and urban governance of this resource is essential, and they also supported the need to significantly increase the volume of investment in the sector, for example, in infrastructure.
These terms reflect the different realities, where "we must be aware of the Spanish reality, where more than 851% of municipalities have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. We will have to find a solution so that they are not left behind in terms of investment," they stated.
On the other hand, they emphasized the importance of technology in addressing future challenges and highlighted that the sector currently has technological solutions that can resolve issues and provide greater security of supply. “For example, through predictive capabilities for making proactive decisions adapted to climate change, nature-based solutions, pathogen detection, the use of remote sensing, crop patterns, etc.” In this regard, the participants affirmed that it is vital to invest in technology and integrate technological solutions into the management system to increase water security.
Nearly one hundred people have been able to enjoy this day, which is part of the important role that the Chair plays. Facsa-Fovasa Environment of Water, Waste and Circular Economy It is carried out in the field of dissemination and training through conferences, seminars, workshops and publications.
Furthermore, the Chair took the opportunity to present awards for the best Bachelor's and Master's theses, which the institution has granted for the fifth consecutive year with the aim of highlighting and valuing the research carried out by students of the Universitat Politècnica de València in relation to the circular economy within water treatment and waste management. There are four awards: two prizes of €500 for Bachelor's theses and two prizes of €800 for Master's theses. This year, the Master's thesis awards went to Alexandra Gabrielle and Martha Patricia Medina, and the Bachelor's thesis awards to Fausto Aldegheri and Javier Rozas.
