SMART HOSPITAL-WWT promotes a smart solution for the on-site treatment of contaminated hospital effluents
The SMART HOSPITAL-WWT project aims to design, develop and validate an intelligent system for the on-site monitoring and treatment of hospital effluents contaminated with hazardous substances. This initiative proposes an innovative technological solution that will make it possible to analyse and safely remove pollutants of high concern “in situ” before they are discharged into the sanitation network.
The system will integrate advanced biosensors, genetic analysis techniques and a smart digital platform to detect and monitor cytostatic drugs, antibiotics, resistant bacteria and resistance genes (resistome) present in the urine matrices of hospital patients. In this way, the total elimination of these pollutants, which cannot be treated with conventional purification, before discharge will be guaranteed, contributing to the protection of the environment and the improvement of health safety.
The project addresses the development of a treatment solution within the hospital itself, allowing the prior purification of effluents before they are discharged into the sewerage. In parallel, the system will generate high-value epidemiological and clinical data, promoting the advancement of wastewater epidemiology as an innovative tool for environmental surveillance and support for clinical decision-making. All these solutions will be tested in a demonstration phase in a real hospital environment.
SMART HOSPITAL-WWT will make a significant contribution to the digitalisation and sustainability of the hospital sector, offering an advanced tool for monitoring, surveillance and control of emerging contaminants.
The consortium is made up of Athisa Biogeneración, which has experience in innovative management and treatment of hospital waste; Data Major develops the IoT platform and its application to the sector; and SENSACTIVE implements biosensors and performs genetic analysis. The Industrial and Environmental Chemical Analysis (Anquimed) group of the University of Seville provides scientific experience in the analysis of cytostatic drugs, while SENSOTEC designs sensorization and process control solutions. Finally, OnTech Innovation coordinates and manages the project, with the strategic support of the Catalan Water Partnership to guarantee impact and transfer to the sector.
The initiative is financed by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism within the framework of the 2025 support programme for Innovative Business Groups (AEI), with the aim of improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
