Last March, the European Commission approved a 17 million euro grant for the Water Mining project, an initiative aimed at demonstrating innovative water purification solutions. In line with the EU Water Framework Directive, the project aims to provide real-life examples of nutrient, mineral, energy and clean water extraction from urban and industrial wastewater and seawater, with the goal of promoting the circular economy and ensuring the long-term availability of water.

For four years, tests were carried out in facilities in Spain, Cyprus, Portugal and Italy. Sorigué, as a leading company in matters related to the water cycle and a specialist in the design, construction, and management of water treatment plants, will certify the incorporation of a process train consisting of anaerobic membrane bioreactors, a partial nitrification-anammox system and phosphorus recovery and desalination technologies at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in La Llagosta, Barcelona, to obtain water that is suitable for agricultural irrigation or ultrapure water for reuse in area industries.

This technology improves the efficiency of the purification process for quality water, while extracting phosphorus and generating energy. The solution has been under development for some time and has been verified in the laboratory. Sorigué looks to test this technological solution in a real setting before it can be placed on the market.

To do so, the company will design and build a pilot plant at the WWTP in La Llagosta. This pilot-level prototype will consist of an organic matter removal treatment that uses no oxygen, coupled with treatments for efficient nitrogen removal and other tertiary treatments to achieve maximum water quality for agricultural and industrial use. This process is expected to enable total recovery of the water for reuse, while the power generated in the process will cover 60% of its energy needs.

The Water Mining project is a four-year project coordinated by the Delft University of Technology, in the Netherlands, and the consortium is made up of 38 public and private partner entities from 12 countries. This project is funded by the EU H2020 programme, created to promote research and innovation in conjunction with social challenges and industrial leadership.
 
Innovation at Sorigué
Sorigué is a business group that was founded in 1956 and a leader in the water technology and engineering, service, construction, and materials sectors. As part of its commitment to innovation and giving back to society, Sorigué contributes to the circular economy.

Sorigué has a cross-cutting Innovation Department that aims to focus the business group’s efforts on innovation-based projects; the creation of synergies, both internal and with national and international institutions and organizations; the modernisation of processes; and the active search for new business. 
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It currently has 10 projects in the pipeline associated with the water cycle and the circular economy.
Sorigué has been a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact since 2018 and, through its activity, puts forth a business model that contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).