Barcelona and its metropolitan area have a water management model based on public-private collaboration, considered an international benchmark for its scope and complexity. Aigües de Barcelona manages, in the 36 municipalities of the metropolitan area of Barcelona, the integral water cycle : from collection to drinking water treatment, transport and distribution, in addition to sanitation, purification and regeneration of wastewater, either to return it to the natural environment or reuse it.
On this occasion we speak with Joana Tobella, director of Water Innovation in Barcelona, in a conversation that we can place in a particularly relevant context after the most serious and prolonged drought episode of the last 200 years, which has lasted more than 3 years . The Catalan Water Agency has been applying measures and restrictions established in the Special Drought Plan .
In this context, Aigües de Barcelona plays a fundamental role in the management of the integral water cycle in the metropolitan area, serving nearly three million people. The company stands out for its innovative and sustainable approach, firmly committed to the regeneration of wastewater and implementing advanced technologies to ensure a quality supply in an adverse climate situation. This attitude is demonstrated by its active participation in the Industrial Doctorate Plan, since 2013, with 14 industrial doctorate projects.
Tobella explains the strategic and practical benefits of participating in the Industrial Doctorate program, highlighting how this initiative allows Aigües de Barcelona to address complex technical challenges with rigor and continuity. He also highlights the importance of collaboration with universities and research centers for the incorporation of specialized talent and the strengthening of the company's international positioning through scientific publications. Finally, emphasis is placed on the transfer of knowledge in both directions, a mutual benefit for both industry and academia.
– Aigües de Barcelona has been participating in the industrial doctorate program since 2013. What is the main reason for participating?
– For us, the industrial doctorate program has many benefits. Above all, the main reason is to have a person completely focused for three years on solving a specific challenge that we have in the company. This is essential, since it allows us to work in an innovative and rigorous way, incorporating all the technical excellence and with the collaboration of universities and research centers. In this way, we obtain results of great value, with a high potential for implementation and generation of real impacts, which is our ultimate goal.
– What specific benefits have you obtained from this long career in the program and how does it position you in the sector?
– The main benefit is these valuable, implementable results with the capacity to generate impact. Another very important return is the incorporation of talent into the company. Since 2013, we have participated in 12 industrial doctorates and recently started two more, making a total of 14. Of these, we have incorporated four people and there is one more who will probably be incorporated when the doctorate ends this year.
This program also allows us to foster a culture of innovation within the organization, as well as strengthen and establish new collaborations with universities and research centers. Finally, another relevant benefit is the scientific publications, which allow us to be internationally recognized for scientific excellence and position ourselves as a reference within the sector.
"The main reason for participating is to have a person completely focused for three years on solving a specific challenge that we have in the company. This is essential, as it allows us to work in an innovative and rigorous way."
– What factors do you consider key to success in collaboration with research groups?
– One of the key factors that facilitates collaboration is that our technical staff is very expert in their specific areas. This helps us a lot to work together with universities and research groups. It is also important that the people in charge of monitoring industrial doctorates within the company are doctors or, at least, have had previous contact with the world of research. This makes it easier for us to share a common language and strengthens collaboration.
A concrete example of recent success is a PhD on pressure drinking water pipe rehabilitation techniques, which has allowed us to strengthen the collaboration with IQS. This collaboration has remained active after the PhD was completed; we are currently carrying out pipe rehabilitations in Barcelona in collaboration with this same research group.
– How do you manage the international mobility offered by the industrial doctorate program, such as attendance at conferences or research stays?
– During doctorates, we encourage these stays abroad, usually proposed by the university or associated research center. This allows us to expand our international relations and open up to new collaborations with other research centers on a global scale. Although our main activity is very local, focused on the metropolitan area of Barcelona, these international collaborations allow us to access new opportunities, especially with regard to European projects. These stays generate relationships that later facilitate participation in consortia and European projects.
"Another very important benefit is the incorporation of talent into the company. Since 2013, we have participated in 13 industrial doctorates, of which we have already incorporated four people and we plan to incorporate one more this year."
– Does the figure of the doctor in the company provide a real return?
– Yes, at Aigües de Barcelona we greatly value technical expertise. We operate in a complicated context regarding water resources: fewer resources available and increasingly greater quality challenges. We need highly trained people with in-depth technical knowledge in specific areas.
To give specific examples, in one of the industrial doctorates an advanced analytical methodology was developed to detect organic contaminants in different water matrices. This innovative technique has been very useful to us during the current drought, as it has allowed us to comprehensively monitor the quality of the reclaimed water, essential to guarantee the supply of drinking water in the metropolitan area.
Another example is a methodology developed to detect microplastics in drinking water, which positions us as strategic benchmarks for future regulations on microplastics.
"Scientific publications allow us to be internationally recognized for scientific excellence and position ourselves as leaders in the sector."
– You talked about how knowledge transfer from research groups benefits you. Is this transfer also reciprocal? Do research groups also benefit from it?
– Without a doubt. I think the best demonstration is that, when industrial doctorates end, collaborations with research centers and universities continue to be active. This clearly indicates that the transfer is positive in both directions. If this were not the case, the collaboration would probably end with the doctorate itself. With institutions such as the UPC or IQS, collaborations continue beyond the program, which clearly demonstrates mutual benefit.
– Finally, why would you recommend other companies to participate in an industrial doctorate?
– I would recommend participating in industrial doctorates especially to companies that have complex technical challenges, that require profiles with a high level of technical training and that can be focused exclusively for a long period on solving a specific problem. Sometimes, even if there are people with a high technical level within the company, they are busy with multiple day-to-day responsibilities. The industrial doctorate guarantees a person who is completely dedicated for three years to rigorously address a specific challenge.
In addition, there are other benefits such as the incorporation of talent, scientific publications that improve international positioning, and collaborations with universities and research centers that allow us to stay up to date with the latest technologies and scientific advances. We are convinced of these benefits, and that is why we always have between two and four industrial doctorates active within Aigües de Barcelona.
