On the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June, the first meeting of MULTISOURCE (ModULar Tools for Integrating enhanced natural treatment SOlutions in URban water CyclEs) took place, a H2020 project that will take place between 2021 and 2025, and in which they participate researchers from the three ICRA areas (Technologies and Evaluation, Resources and Ecosystems and Water Quality).

The overall objective of MULTISOURCE is, together with local, national and international stakeholders, to demonstrate a variety of enhanced natural treatment solutions (ENTS) and further to develop innovative tools, methods and business models that support the city-wide planning and long-term operations and maintenance of nature-based solutions for water treatment, storage and reuse in urban areas around the world.

The project includes seven pilot projects that treat a wide range of urban waters. Two individual municipalities (Girona, Spain; Oslo, Norway), two metropolitan municipalities (Lyon, France; Milan, Italy), and international partners in Brazil, Vietnam and the United States. This unique approach provides the knowledge, business models and modular tools that will enable stakeholders to undertake large-scale, fit-for-purpose planning in their local region and, in doing so, promote circularity and sustainable development in the urban water sector and overcoming barriers to the widespread adoption of nature-based solutions for water treatment.

ICRA will lead the development and testing of the Technology Selection and Design Tool, a web-based decision support tool for stakeholders to facilitate the selection and design of NBS for the treatment of Water . On the other hand, he will coordinate the Girona pilot, together with the Girona City Council, which involves the implementation and testing of an innovative and modular green wall for the treatment of greywater, which will first be tested on the facade of the ICRA building and, subsequently, at the social center of Sant Narcís, where the treated water will irrigate a community garden for edible crops.