On May 5th and 6th, 2025, the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) held the working sessions of its renewed Business and Social Council, as part of the new strategic direction driven by the recent change in the centre’s leadership. This permanent platform for collaboration with companies, public administrations and civil society aims to reconnect scientific research with the major social and environmental challenges facing the country, promoting useful, applicable research with real impact.

Strategic Debates – May 5th

The first day featured six thematic debates, defined through interviews with Council members and moderated by ICRA researchers. The topics addressed key priority areas such as:

• New water directives: regulation and management impact

• Emerging contaminants: a threat to biodiversity and public health?

• Water beyond reservoirs: alternatives for an uncertain future

• Deep tech and green solutions: towards more efficient and sustainable treatments

• Water economy: effectiveness, efficiency and equity

• Digital transformation of the water cycle: challenges and opportunities

The event concluded with remarks by the Hon. Sílvia Paneque, Minister for Territory, Ecological Transition and Housing of the Government of Catalonia, offering a strategic perspective from public policy.

All debates and the closing session are available on ICRA’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyfEujy49wg

Working Groups – May 6th

The second day included thematic working groups aimed at linking identified challenges with the research capacities of ICRA. This space fostered direct exchange of ideas and the generation of potential collaborations and pilot projects.

Members of the Business and Social Council

• Alejandra Puig Infante – Subdirectora General de Planificació Hidrològica, Direcció General de l’Aigua
• Belén Benito – Directora d’Operacions, Canal Isabel II
• Antoni Munné – Director de l’àrea de gestió del Medi, Agència Catalana de l’Aigua
• Fernando Valero – Cap d’I+D+i i Control de Processos, Ens d’Abastament d’Aigua Ter-Llobregat
• Miriam Pardos – Comissària d’Aigües, Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro
• Jorge Molinero – Director General, Amphos21 (filial Espanyola)
• Jaume Sió – Cap del Gabinet Tècnic de la Secretaria General del Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació, Generalitat de Catalunya. 
• Jordi Agustí – Gerent, Consorci d’Aigües Costa Brava Girona
• Frank Rogalla – Director d’Innovació i Tecnologia, Aqualia
• Ana Jiménez – Directora d’Innovació, Acciona
• Marián Serrano – Directora d’Innovació, Global Omnium
• Xavier Amores – Director, Catalan Water Partnership
• Albert Solà – Gerent, Consorci Besòs Tordera
• Albert Testart – Gerent, Cicle de l’Aigua del Ter
• Guillermo Berlanga – Cap del Departament de R+D i Millora Contínua / Gerent d’Innovació, FACSA
• David Güell – Director d’Explotació, Aigües de Manresa
• Josep M. Sangrà – Adjunt a Gerència, Coordinació de Projectes Transversals i Fons Europeus, Agència Catalana de l’Aigua

Conclusions and Expected Impact

The Council outlined several strategic directions to maximize ICRA’s impact on the economy, public policy and society:

• Economic impact: valorization of digital tools, development of business models, solution incubation, and reinforcement of specialized analytical services.

• Policy impact: leadership in treatment protocols, promotion of nature-based solutions, and application of AI for big data analysis.

• Social impact: enhanced science communication, stronger institutional positioning, and leadership in technology transfer beyond Catalonia.