Protecting biodiversity is one of the goals set by Hidraqua management and its affiliated companies in the Community of Valencia as part of a medium-term sustainable development plan (2017-2021) which seeks to contribute actively to meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

To do this, the company has invested in converting existing complete water cycle management infrastructures in the Community of Valencia into spaces that protect and nurture biodiversity.

The actions currently under way include the launch of the BiObserva corporate volunteering programme at the wastewater treatment plants managed by Hidraqua in the Valencian Community. This is an action whereby volunteers from the plant’s staff collect birdwatching data via an open citizen science digital platform. So far the programme has been rolled out at the treatment plants of Riba-roja, Altea, Xixona, Orihuela, Rojales, Benidorm and the Júcar-Vinalopó pipeline facilities. Hidraqua’s affiliated companies in the Community of Valencia, such as Aigües de l’Horta, Aguas de Alicante, AGAMED and Aigües d’Elx, have also joined the programme.

The programme also collaborates in research at two scientific bird ringing stations, at the Isla de Tabarca (Piccole Isole project, with the University of Alicante and SEO Birdlife) and the La Marjal floodable park.

Because of this commitment to protecting species and spaces, Hidraqua and its affiliated companies are members of the ‘Aliats per la Biodiversitat’ (Allies for Biodiversity) platform. This is a shared space for communication and collaboration among companies, non-government organisations, government bodies and education and research centres, in which common experiences in Valencian conservation and biodiversity improvement projects are shared and enhanced.

Thanks to these initiatives arising from a commitment to biodiversity, SUEZ Spain received recognition last month at the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE), organised by the European Commission, in the company and biodiversity category.