Neutrality in Management

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The Water Cycle: Strategic Infrastructure for the Climate Transition

Ensuring access to drinking water, collecting wastewater, treating it and returning it to the environment is one of the essential services on which modern cities are built. However, behind every litre of water lies a complex infrastructure that consumes energy, requires technology and generates emissions.

Traditionally, the water sector has been viewed as an essential service for public health and economic development. Today, it is also emerging as a strategic player in addressing one of the greatest global challenges: climate change.

In a context marked by increasing resource scarcity, extreme weather events and the need to accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy, water operators are well positioned to contribute directly to emissions reduction, renewable energy generation, the circular economy and the resilience of communities and territories.

At Aqualia, we believe that water must not only be managed efficiently; it must also become a driver of the ecological transition. That is why we are progressively transforming our infrastructure and processes to move towards an increasingly efficient, circular and low-carbon model.

Wastewater treatment plants are evolving into biofactories capable of producing renewable energy, recovering resources and generating reclaimed water. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence optimise processes and reduce energy consumption. Biogas and biomethane production makes it possible to replace fossil fuels. In addition, the integration of renewable energy helps reduce the climate footprint of the services we operate.

The result is a new model of water management that not only minimises its environmental impact but also creates value for cities and actively contributes to achieving climate goals.

Lleida: Proof That Climate Neutrality Is Already a Reality

Aqualia demonstrates that climate neutrality in integrated water management is possible. The case of Lleida, the first water service in Spain to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, offers a glimpse into the future of a sector set to play a key role in the climate transition. AENOR (Spanish Association for Standardisation and Certification) has certified its carbon neutrality in accordance with the ISO 14068 standard. This milestone is the result of more than a decade of transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.

Since 2020, the service has completely eliminated indirect emissions associated with electricity consumption through the use of certified renewable energy, photovoltaic power generation for self-consumption and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

The real transformation has taken place at the wastewater treatment plant, where Aqualia is driving its evolution into a biofactory. The application of advanced digital technologies, artificial intelligence, energy optimisation systems and resource recovery processes has made it possible to reduce consumption, improve operational efficiency and increase the facility’s energy self-sufficiency.

The treatment plant generates biogas from the sludge produced during wastewater treatment. This biogas is subsequently converted into biomethane, which powers part of the service’s vehicle fleet. In addition, the facility produces solar energy through photovoltaic installations and supplies reclaimed water for municipal uses, such as irrigation and street cleaning.

The climate neutrality achieved in Lleida demonstrates that the urban water cycle can become an ally in climate action. The aim is not simply to reduce emissions, but to transform essential infrastructure into a source of environmental solutions for cities.

Today, Lleida is a benchmark for this transformation. It exemplifies how innovation, sustainability and collaboration between public authorities and operators can accelerate the transition towards public services that are more resilient, efficient and better prepared for future challenges. Because the future of water is about more than simply supplying an essential resource. It is about generating energy, recovering resources, reducing emissions and actively contributing to the development of climate-neutral cities.