The PERTE (Water Digitalization Program), a boost for Spain's development. By Rocío Santiago, Director of Operations at Aqualia

By Rocío Santiago, Director of Operations at Aqualia

Water management in Spain is a constant challenge, one that requires governments and water cycle operators to work together in a coordinated manner. A recent example of public-private collaboration, now that the first call for proposals is approaching three years ago, is the PERTE (Perte Program for Digitalization of the Water Cycle). The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has already awarded two proposals and will soon award a third, to promote the use of new technologies in the water cycle. The goal? To improve resource management, increase its efficiency, reduce losses in supply networks, and meet environmental objectives.

In Spain, water availability is variable. Our peninsular climate interweaves periods of severe drought and extreme flooding. According to a PwC report published in July 2024, 41% of Spain suffers from water stress, and the situation is particularly acute in the Guadalquivir basins and the Mediterranean coast. In this context, we must ensure the availability of water, both for life and for our economic activity. The recent rains at the beginning of this year have provided great relief, but they will not solve the long-term need for water.

Invest to ensure

Beneath the ground in our country, there are more than 248,000 kilometers of water supply networks and more than 189,000 of sewage systems. However, a large portion of these are over 40 years old, increasing the likelihood of breakages and, consequently, water losses. The Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS) indicated in its latest report that the renewal rate of Spanish networks was only 0.2% annually, a figure entirely insufficient to maintain them in good condition and provide an efficient and sustainable water service over the long term.

This is no small matter. The underinvestment leads to increased maintenance costs, a reduction in the quality of services provided to citizens, and water and water quality losses. This also jeopardizes the capacity of our productive sectors and limits the development of sustainable tourism, which is essential for our country.

Water management will be digital

The digitalization of urban water services is a way for the entire water cycle to achieve greater levels of sustainability, and the PERTEs accelerate the technological transformation that had already begun in the water sector.

Digitalization enables real-time monitoring of water consumption and is vital for quickly detecting anomalies and leaks, leading to a reduction in resource losses and Non-Revenue Water (NRW). Data improves planning and response to emergency situations, such as droughts or unsuitability of water for human consumption. With advanced technologies, water quality can be continuously monitored, quickly detecting contaminants and other problems. This ensures that the water supplied to the population is safe and meets quality standards, which is highly relevant at a time when directives are becoming increasingly stringent.

Furthermore, process automation and the use of smart sensors significantly increase operational efficiency throughout the system. Ultimately, the vast amount of data collected and analyzed enables predictions and optimization of infrastructure, maintenance, and water and energy resources. Water management improves throughout the entire cycle: from collection, treatment, and distribution to sewage and wastewater treatment, reducing the environmental impact.

An exponential opportunity

In short, the PERTEs represent an opportunity to boost the modernization of the water sector and provide a boost for small and medium-sized municipalities, which lack the investment capacity to undertake this digitalization. The first two PERTE calls selected a total of 80 projects, covering more than 2,800 municipalities (35% of the total in our country) and directly benefiting nearly 28 million inhabitants.

Within these two calls for proposals, Aqualia, in collaboration with various public administrations, is carrying out five projects in Asturias, Cantabria, the Canary Islands, and in the provinces of Cádiz and Ciudad Real. Developments are currently being implemented that will ultimately benefit 200 municipalities in these regions and their nearly 1.9 million inhabitants. This is yet another example of the long tradition of public-private collaboration that has made Spain a global model of success in water cycle management and the development of innovative, high-capacity projects thanks to the synergies achieved when public administrations and specialized companies work together.

Rocio Santiago Director of Operations at Aqualia

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