Aigües de Barcelona, the Metropolitan Water Cycle Management Company, S.A., generated €866 million for Catalonia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. This figure represents 0.27% of the region's total economic output. The company's Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders unanimously approved its 2025 accounts and management report, highlighting strong financial results despite a structural water emergency.
Economic Contribution to Catalonia
The company's activities created 1,235 direct jobs in 2025. When including indirect and induced employment, Aigües de Barcelona supported a total of 7,958 jobs across Catalonia. This data comes from the Integrated Social Value (ISV) Report, which the company prepared jointly with the Valora consultancy. The report shows the company's significant economic footprint in the region.
“Aigües de Barcelona successfully navigated another year of management with a triple objective,” the company stated. These goals included ensuring continuous, high-quality service, strengthening its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) leadership, and driving social and environmental transformation in the metropolitan area. The company also prioritises local and responsible procurement. Of its 1,464 suppliers, 96.7% are national, and 74.2% are local, based in Barcelona province.
Investing in Water Infrastructure
In 2025, Aigües de Barcelona invested €59.6 million in environmental preservation. This marks a notable increase from previous years, showing a strong commitment to protecting the environment. These investments aim to improve water production and treatment, promote regenerated water use, and optimise energy consumption. They also support the circular economy, the transition to sustainable reagents, and biogas production. Additionally, the company works on naturalising urban spaces and raising climate awareness.
Further investments target critical water infrastructure projects. The company continues work on the Besòs-Trinitat drinking water plant to restore the Rec Comtal as a supply resource. It also updates the Estrella drinking water plant in Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Aigües de Barcelona plans a new treatment line using ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis at the Sant Joan Despí drinking water plant. These projects aim to strengthen the water supply for the 3 million people in 23 municipalities it serves.
Innovation and Social Commitments
The company allocated €5.8 million to innovation in 2025. It launched over 60 initiatives and 15 co-creation challenges with the innovation ecosystem. One key initiative is Perte Ressona, which aims to improve the sustainability and resilience of the urban water cycle through digital transformation in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge recognised Perte Ressona in 2025 for its innovative and comprehensive approach. The company expects to complete nine actions under this initiative this year.
Beyond infrastructure, Aigües de Barcelona made substantial social contributions. In 2025, it contributed €3.26 million to society, supporting over 250 initiatives with 200 organisations. These efforts benefited more than 500,000 people. The company also ensures water access for vulnerable individuals. By the end of 2025, over 68,000 households received support through the social water tariff. The 2024-2026 Social Action Plan focuses on improving quality of life, employment, health, and well-being. It also promotes the green economy and sustainable water use. In 2025, these social programmes reached over 11,000 vulnerable people through 60 initiatives with 46 social entities across 13 municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area.
Ensuring Future Water Resilience
Aigües de Barcelona continues to coordinate with the administration to implement an investment plan. This plan aims to use all available water resources and ensure strong infrastructure. The company’s 1,249 professionals work to deliver safe drinking water to millions and treat wastewater for 40 metropolitan municipalities. The recent approval of a new collective agreement shows a shared commitment between management and staff to improve working conditions. This ongoing effort helps guarantee water supply in all circumstances and promotes greener, more resilient cities for the future.
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Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
