The Water Operators’ Partnership (WOP) between Madrid-based Canal de Isabel II and Peruvian utility Sedapal has been recognized at the Caminos Madrid Awards for its achievements in sustainable water management. The award acknowledges the partnership’s efforts in advancing wastewater treatment, climate adaptation and international cooperation. Read more here.
Commenting on the award, David Peral, Studies and Programmes Subdivision, Canal de Isabel II said:
“This recognition highlights the value of international collaboration in water sustainability. By sharing expertise and technology, we are strengthening wastewater treatment and paving the way for a future where water reuse is a cornerstone in addressing climate change and public health challenges.”
Developed as part of the European Union-funded EU-WOP programme, managed by the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), the initiative focuses on enhancing wastewater reuse in Lima, Peru, to address critical water scarcity issues. The collaboration led to the establishment of 111 wastewater sampling points to monitor SARS-CoV-2, significantly exceeding initial targets. This early detection system, known as VIGÍA, has strengthened public health responses in densely populated areas. Additionally, wastewater treatment and reuse efforts have improved, with optimized collection systems increasing reclaimed water production.
Capacity-building initiatives played a crucial role in the project’s success. Technical training programmes and international exchange missions between Madrid and Lima enhanced expertise in wastewater reuse, with 75 professionals trained. A new benchmarking framework was also implemented, aligning Sedapal’s data collection with International Water Association (IWA)standards, improving performance tracking and decision-making.
Beyond technical improvements, the project fostered community engagement and environmental protection efforts, raising awareness about wastewater reuse through workshops and stakeholder outreach. It also contributed to protecting water-related ecosystems, including rivers and wetlands.
