Wetskills-Spain 2026 – Blog 4 –
Today’s Wetskills programme was mainly focused on seeing how water management works in practice around Barcelona. Rather than looking at one part of the system in isolation, the day connected wastewater treatment, surface water and groundwater and it showed us how these components influence
each other in a region where water availability is a constant challenge.
Starting at the wastewater treatment plant
We started the day at a wastewater treatment plant, where we were taken through the different treatment steps and shown what happens to the water before it is discharged again. One thing that stood out was that the treated water leaving the plant can actually be cleaner than the water already present in the river. That sounds a bit strange at first, but it also shows how effective the treatment process can be. It was interesting to see wastewater not only as something that needs to be treated, but also as part of a much larger water system.
Following the water to the aquifer
After the treatment plant, we visited the aquifer that had already been mentioned during the earlier explanation. This made the connection between wastewater treatment, surface water and groundwater much clearer. At the aquifer, we received an explanation about how groundwater is stored and how it interacts with the river system around Barcelona. We also learned more about the role of the river itself and the dams further upstream. One of the points that stayed with me was how limited the contribution from the dams can be. Even when water is stored and later released, this only contributes around 4% to replenishing the available water supply. For a region that regularly deals with drought and water scarcity, that immediately shows why relying on one source is not enough.
The Wetskills Visit to CETAQUA
As part of the WetSkills Challenge, participants stepped into the world of water innovation during an inspiring visit to CETAQUA – the Water Technology Centre in Barcelona, Spain. The visit offered a fascinating insight into how science, research and industry can work together to tackle some of the
water sector’s biggest challenges. Participants discovered that CETAQUA is a pioneering public-private research and innovation centre, bringing together knowledge, technology and real-world expertise. Its mission is to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable, safe and accessible water cycle, with a vision of turning scientific knowledge into practical solutions that benefit society. CETAQUA has five strategic innovation areas, including water resource planning and management, Production and new resources, zero waste and decarbonisation, territorial and social sustainability, and digital services and AI application. A key takeaway was CETAQUA’s blended public-private funding model, demonstrating how collaboration and investment can accelerate innovation and help build a more resilient and sustainable water sector.
The Wetskills Business Model Canvas Training
During the WetSkills Challenge, participants took part in a practical Business Model Canvas training session, learning how to turn innovative ideas into solutions that can create, deliver and capture value. The Canvas brings together nine interconnected building blocks: Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnerships and Cost Structure. Participants were encouraged to apply each section directly to the four real-world cases they are developing solutions for. Participants should start by identifying who their customers and beneficiaries are and defining the problem their solution addresses. They then considered how to reach and engage these customers, what resources and activities are needed, and which partners could help deliver the solution. Finally, teams should explore the financial side: what customers might pay, potential revenue streams and the costs involved. By incorporating the Canvas business model, participants will be able to test whether their ideas were not only innovative, but also practical, sustainable and commercially viable.
Blog by Khanyisile Ndumo & Taoufiq Ben Chagra
