Page 4 - Aqualia MRSC 2015

09 G4-1, G4-2
Message from the General Manager
All that matters
One of the great challenges now facing society is millions of people’s
lack of access to water and sanitation around different parts of the
world, which the United Nations has again included among the
Sustainable Development Goals for our world.
Managing water resources is a strategic activity in social and
economic development, creating an environment conducive to all
kinds of activities and enabling the sustainable growth of urban
centres. In this way, our activity also helps generate wealth and
produces a positive impact on society as a whole.
With that being said, it is also a highly specialised sector that
requires expert involvement at all stages of the comprehensive
water cycle. This calls for adequate infrastructure and facilities, not Peix, a lagoon located to the north of Formentera in the Ses Salines
to mention professionals who have been specifically trained for this
purpose. In this regard, and thanks to our high degree of innovation
and professionalism, Aqualia has successfully implemented major
international projects. In 2015, we were awarded the biggest
contract in our history; the design, construction and operation
of the Abu Rawash treatment plant located in Cairo (Egypt). This
plant will serve over five and a half million people, making it one
of the biggest plants of its kind in the world. In 2015 we were
also awarded our third largest contract in Arabia, which entails the
management of the two wastewater treatment plants in Mecca.
It is important to note that we approach each and every one of
our projects with clear environmental awareness. Upholding our
commitment to protect the environment and tackle climate change
4 Message
comes first in our activities. Aqualia has measured its carbon
footprint for all its activities worldwide, making it the first operator
in Spain to undertake such a challenge. Another major feat from
last year was the calculation of Cantabria’s water footprint, which
was the first of its kind to be carried out in Spain. This activity was
the result of Aqualia’s collaboration with the Botín Foundation, the
Department of the Environment of the Regional Government of
Cantabria, the University of Cantabria and the Complutense and
Polytechnic Universities of Madrid.
We translate this dedicated commitment to the environment to the
work we do in every single municipality. This can be demonstrated
by our participation in the underwater clean-up of the Estany des
Natural Park.
We care about the environment and we care about the citizens,
the people. We have created, and continue to create, mechanisms
in partnership with different municipalities to ensure access to
drinking water and sanitation to those who genuinely cannot afford
these services. We have supported different local organisations
nationwide to commemorate the International Day of Persons
with Disabilities. We are also concerned about the employment
prospects of young people in the areas we work in; this is why
we have joined the Alianza para la Formación Profesional Dual
[Partnership for Dual Vocational Training], offering our expertise
to facilitate their insertion into the job market.