New tools for water sustainability in the Catalan wine sector: Good practices guide and catalogue of services and technological solutions
The ViWaTec project has resulted in two tools aimed at strengthening water sustainability in the wine sector: the Good Practices Guide for improving water management in wineries and the Catalogue of technological and digital services and solutions for efficient water management in the wine sector. Both publications address the growing challenge of managing water more efficiently and sustainably in a context of persistent water scarcity in many of Catalonia’s wine-producing regions.
The project, coordinated by theCatalan Water Partnership (CWP), has involved the collaboration of key stakeholders from the wine sector, including the wine industry association ((Associació Vinícola Catalana (AVC)) and the Clúster INNOVI. In addition, four companies specialized in water management (ABM Consulting, CIM Aigua, GeoServei and Dr. Canicio Consulting Chemist) contributed their expertise to develop solutions and good practices aimed at improving management and reducing water consumption in the sector.
As for the wine sector, three Catalan SMEs (Sumarroca, Unió Fruits – Els Guiamets, and La Vinyeta) participated as end users. Furthermore, the project involved nine additional wineries, where the water cycle was analyzed, identifying improvements and proposing recommendations. The shared good practices have been compiled into the document to encourage their adoption across the sector.
Good Practices Guide for Improving Water Management in Wineries
This document provides practical recommendations and strategies to optimize water use across all winery operations, addressing the challenges posed by water scarcity and changing climatic conditions.
The Guide outlines measures to reduce water consumption in key processes such as cleaning, rainwater harvesting, efficient management of cooling towers, and the reuse of reclaimed water. It also emphasizes staff training and the implementation of sustainable water policies, highlighting the importance of monitoring and controlling consumption, as well as the administrative and physical optimization of water resources to ensure more efficient and responsible management.
In addition, it showcases 9 success stories from Catalan and international wineries that have implemented strategies to improve water efficiency.
Catalogue of Technological and Digital Services and Solutions
This is a collection of services and technological solutions developed by member companies of the Catalan Water Partnership (CWP). The catalogue includes:
- Solutions applied to the cross-cutting improvement of processes
- Solutions for sensorization, monitoring, and control of the water cycle and efficient irrigation
- Solutions applied to improving wastewater treatment
- Sustainability initiatives
- Audit and consultancy services
In addition, each technology or service is accompanied by the contact details of the provider, with the aim of facilitating its practical application and promoting synergies between the wine sector and the water sector.
Towards a more efficient and sustainable wine sector
With these two tools, the Catalan wine sector has valuable resources to address the challenges of water management and adapt to a future marked by limited water availability. The ViWaTec project has not only been a step forward in strengthening collaboration between the water and wine sectors, but has also laid the foundations for a transition towards more sustainable practices that will ensure the sector’s viability in the face of climate challenges.
