The Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) expects to award a significant €1.078 billion water supply contract this summer, a move set to manage essential services for eight municipalities. This major concession will ensure water provision for communities including Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sant Andreu de la Barca.
Six large business groups are currently competing for the contract, which went out to tender in late March. The process has advanced smoothly, notably receiving no objections to the tender documents.
Antonio Balmón, Vice-President of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) and Mayor of Cornellà de Llobregat, expressed pride in the absence of objections. He highlighted the AMB's clear communication with the business sector regarding future contract conditions.
Barcelona Water Contract Advances
"The companies saw that the tender was exactly as we had explained it would be," Balmón stated during a lunch with journalists on Thursday. Metropolitan technicians are now studying the "subjective proposals" from potential bidders.
These proposals detail service improvements beyond the financial offers. Balmón predicts this evaluation stage will take "almost two months." He expects the contract award to happen in July or September.
The contract will supply water to Sant Cugat del Vallès, Cervelló, Corbera de Llobregat, La Palma de Cervelló, Tiana, Sant Andreu de la Barca, Molins de Rei, and Ripollet. These municipalities are home to hundreds of thousands of residents within the metropolitan area.
New Metropolitan Security App Planned
Separately, the AMB is developing a new supramunicipal security and community innovation application. This app aims to coordinate local police forces more easily and offer a direct channel for citizen alerts.
Balmón admitted the project's development has been "slow." However, he confirmed it will take shape over the next year. The system will form a "mixed company" established before the 2027 municipal elections.
The AMB is "about to seek the private partner" for this initiative. Balmón estimated the tender for the app would be around €3-4 million. The new system draws inspiration from a mobile application already operating in Cornellà.
Impact on Residents and Future Outlook
This existing Cornellà app handles "20% of the complaints" received by the local police. Users can send an alert with a direct access button if they face a dangerous situation, improving response times.
The AMB oversees essential services for 3.3 million residents across 36 municipalities, including water supply and public safety. The impending water contract ensures a stable, high-quality supply, while the new security app aims to enhance public safety and police coordination across the metropolitan area for years to come.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
