From Wednesday to Friday, the summer course ‘Innovation in the integral water cycle from Almería’ is taking place in Almería. This initiative, made possible by the collaboration between the University of Almería (UAL), the Almería City Council, and the company Aqualia, addresses the challenges and opportunities in the water sector within the context of climate change and water scarcity.
Under the umbrella of the Aqualia Chair for the Integral Water Cycle, the course offers an updated and interdisciplinary perspective, integrating regulation, technology, management, and digitalization. It will analyze the new European regulatory framework for wastewater and drinking water, as well as advanced technologies for treatment, reuse, and transformation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (EDAR) into biofactories, focused on the circular economy.
The inauguration was attended by Amalia Magán, director of the UAL Summer Courses; Juan José Segura, Councilor for Water, Green Areas, and Agriculture of the Almería City Council; José Vicente Colomina, director of the Aqualia Delegation in Almería and co-director of the Chair; and Gabriel Acién, director of the course. Following the welcome, experts from administration, university, technology centers, and leading companies initiated a space for training and debate.
Amalia Magán highlighted public-private collaboration as an example of success, emphasizing the UAL's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and artificial intelligence, as well as the course's academic and business rigor, which is consolidated and in high demand.
Juan José Segura expressed the City Council's satisfaction with this new edition, calling the course a benchmark in the efficient use of water and a showcase for the work being done in Almería, which is exportable to other nations. He highlighted the good harmony and coordination between the private sector and public administration.
José Vicente Colomina, from Aqualia, underscored the institutionalization of collaboration with the UAL through the Chair and this course, now in its sixth edition. He thanked the support of the City Council and the university, and praised Gabriel Acién's work in selecting top-tier speakers, as well as the blend of theoretical sessions and practical visits.
Gabriel Acién, the course director, thanked Aqualia for making the initiative possible and emphasized the UAL's awareness and the motivation of students and the sector (irrigation communities, farmers, companies) regarding the importance of water for Almería.
The course aims to bring together the best speakers to unite efforts and foster the development of initiatives. It addresses the potential for better water utilization through new technologies, adaptation to changing regulatory frameworks, and societal demand for more sustainable, higher-quality solutions.
