The main players in the sector meet to promote innovation in soil and groundwater management
On 3 April, Eurecat’s headquarters in Manresa hosted the conference “How to promote innovation in soil and groundwater management?“, a benchmark event organised by Eurecat with the collaboration of the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC), the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), the Catalan Water Partnership (CWP) and the Life SOuRCE project.
The event, which brought together professionals from the world of research, administration and business, focused on the strategic lines of innovation and research in soil and groundwater management, while serving to share success stories and tools available for technology transfer.
The conference was inaugurated by Irene Jubany, scientific coordinator of the Sustainability area of Eurecat, and led by Merche Carod, Business Developer of the Resources area of the technology center. In the first block, Carme Bosch, head of the soil and groundwater area at Eurecat, presented the strategic lines that will guide innovation in the coming years.
The round table moderated by Aina Amengual, R+D Project Manager at the CWP, aimed to analyse the main challenges in soil and groundwater management in a context of climate change and water scarcity, with special emphasis on aspects such as pollution, governance, restoration and collaboration between actors. Key representatives of administration, research and technological development participated: Emilio Orejudo (ACA), Josep Anton Domènech (ARC), Irene Jubany (Eurecat) and Josep Mas (UdG – ICRA), who provided complementary visions and concrete experiences to move towards a more integrated and sustainable management.
Round table focused on the analysis of the main challenges in soil and groundwater management.
The second block was dedicated to the presentation of success stories of outstanding innovation projects, with the participation of several CWP partners. Ester Vilanova, Director of Digital Solutions for Water Management at Amphos 21, presented advanced digital tools to optimize the monitoring and management of groundwater, which allow for more efficient and data-driven decision-making. For her part, Vinyet Solà, CUADLL technician, presented a regional vision on hydrogeological pollution and decontamination in the Lower Valley and the Llobregat Delta, highlighting an integrated and collaborative land management model that can serve as a reference for other areas with similar problems.
In the last block, Xavier Amores, cluster manager of the CWP, highlighted the strategic role of alliances and open innovation as key levers to promote collaborative projects in the water sector and strengthen business competitiveness. It presented specific initiatives led by the CWP aimed at digitization, sustainability and technology transfer. Next, María José Tomás (CDTI) closed the day with a speech on the financing instruments available for research, development and innovation projects.
Xavier Amores, Director of the CWP, during his presentation on Alliances to promote innovation
The day also included a networking space and a visit to Eurecat’s sustainability laboratories, favouring the exchange of knowledge and the creation of new synergies between attendees. With a successful participation, the session highlighted the strategic lines of innovation, projects that promote business competitiveness and tools to promote technology transfer in soil and groundwater management.
