Aqualia has been selected as a finalist in two categories of the prestigious 2026 Global Water Awards. These international accolades, widely known as the ‘Water Oscars,’ are granted by the specialized industry platform Global Water Intelligence (GWI). Aqualia has been nominated in the categories of ‘Water Company of the Year’ and ‘Reuse Project of the Year.’

The nomination for Water Company of the Year recognizes a year defined by major milestones for Aqualia. This includes its entry into the Japanese market, a strategic move into one of the most demanding markets in the world. Furthermore, the company consolidated its expansion in France (specifically in the Paris and Brittany regions) and was awarded the contract for the Chincha Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Peru. The company also strengthened its presence in Georgia and Saudi Arabia, while continuing to bolster its operations in the United States with advanced regional solutions.

Domestically, it was a pivotal year in Spain, with the renewal of significant contracts in Ibiza, Vigo, Salamanca, and Jaén, ensuring service continuity in cities where Aqualia has a long-standing track record. This operational growth was supported by one of the sector's most notable financial operations: the €1.25 billion refinancing through the issuance of two bonds (€500 million and €750 million), which reinforced the company's financial structure and investor confidence.

In the ‘Water Company of the Year’ category, Aqualia competes alongside four other industry leaders: Acciona, Aquatech, Miahona, and Xylem.

Recognition for Urban Water Innovation

Aqualia’s second nomination (Reuse Project of the Year) recognizes the impact and innovation of the European NICE project. Funded by the H2020 program, NICE demonstrates how nature-based solutions can transform urban water management. Through the use of wetlands, green walls, and hybrid systems, the project enables greywater reuse and mitigates storm events.

The pilots developed by Aqualia for the NICE project have yielded outstanding results in Spain: In Algeciras (Cádiz), a 150 m² vertical wetland prevents sewer overflows and reuses 5 m³ of greywater daily during summer. In Benalmádena (Málaga), a 31 m² green wall produces up to 1,000 m³ of reclaimed water annually, reducing potable water demand. In Madrid, Aqualia’s headquarters features a 120 m² wetland that recovers 1,000 m³ per year for irrigation and cleaning, reducing the water footprint. In Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), a modular platform treats over 100 m³ daily, testing advanced configurations for various reuse standards.

The NICE project also has international reach, with pilots in Cairo (Egypt) and Pereira (Colombia) creating green corridors and reducing urban runoff. Additionally, integration with the D4Runoff initiative in Santander has mitigated up to 240,000 m³ of water discharge per year.

In this category, Aqualia competes against projects from Wabag and Suez (India), Haskoning (Ireland), and Jacobs (UK).

This double nomination reflects the Company’s role as a leader in sustainable water management and its commitment to technological innovation and operational excellence, both nationally and internationally. The awards ceremony will be held on May 19th in Madrid during the Global Water Summit 2026, the premier global event for leaders in the water sector.