The research group is currently composed of 16 researchers, including academic staff, members of the technical, management and administrative services (PTGAS), and researchers hired under research projects. These members belong to four different departments (Forest and Environmental Engineering and Management; Natural Systems and Resources; Mechanical, Chemical and Industrial Design Engineering; and Applied Linguistics to Science and Technology) across two UPM’s engineering schools: the Technical School of Forestry, Forest and Natural Environment Engineering and the Technical School of Industrial Engineering and Design.This is a highly multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team, integrating a wide range of professional profiles and areas of expertise.
Site card
G-AQUA: Sustainable Environmental Management and Advanced Treatment of Water and Waste
G-AQUA
Structure: Research Groups
Email: Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K1aZeKNiAeRr4xPu9 Áreas: Industry, Materials and Circular Economy
Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Land Use and Blue Growth
ODS: Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
The G¿AQUA Research Group: “Sustainable Environmental Management and Advanced Water and Waste Treatment” conducts its activities in the field of sustainable environmental management, adopting an integrated approach to the water and waste cycles. Its work focuses on water quality assessment, the development of advanced water and waste treatment technologies, hydrological restoration and sustainable watershed management, as well as waste valorisation, particularly energy recovery, and resource recovery. These research lines are addressed from a technical and applied perspective, incorporating criteria of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, circular economy and adaptation to global change. G¿AQUA integrates expertise across disciplines such as forestry and environmental engineering, chemistry, mechanical and chemical engineering, industrial design and scientific communication, enabling a multidisciplinary approach to addressing current environmental challenges.
- Hydrological Restoration and Watershed Management
- Waste Management and Valorisation
- Water Quality
- Water Treatment
“Enhancing energy production and circularity in anaerobic digestion by integrating advanced oxidation and electrochemical processes into the treatment strategy” (REQWater, PID2023-152563OB-I00). Funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, 2024-2027.
“Boosting water quality, sustainability and circular economy through a Madrid-based HUB of innovative technological solutions” (AQUAHUB). Funded by the Community of Madrid under the call: “Funding programme to promote public–private cooperation in R&D&I through consortium-based tractor projects”, 2024–2027.
“Nature- and LED-based rainwater treatment for reuse in green cities” (LIFE GreenLED). Co-funded by the European Commission, 2023–2027.
The research group carries out sustained knowledge transfer activities to the water sector, mainly focused on technical advisory, the application of research results and the transfer of specialised know¿how. This transfer is implemented through research contracts, collaborative projects, technical assistance and direct cooperation with companies and institutions in the sector, contributing to the design, improvement and optimisation of processes, technologies and infrastructures related to water and waste management.
A significant part of the transferred knowledge consists of technical and scientific results of a confidential nature, including analytical methodologies, process developments, tailored experimental results, design criteria and assessment tools tailored to the specific needs of the collaborating companies. In this way, the group effectively contributes to technological innovation in the sector, supporting the deployment of advanced, efficient and sustainable solutions, and strengthening the socio¿economic impact of its research activities.
· Design and evaluation of water treatment strategies and processes.
· Monitoring and assessment of water treatment efficiency.
· Evaluation and testing of catalytic materials applied to environmental processes.
· Biological activity tests of sludge from anaerobic digestion processes.
· Water and soil quality analysis.
· Determination and analysis of specific contaminants in water and soil matrices.
· Design and evaluation of nature¿based water treatment solutions.
· Monitoring and assessment of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).
· Preparation of technical reports on pollution in natural waters and industrial effluents.
· Waste valorisation, including fertilizer production and energy recovery.
- Preparation, design and implementation of hydrological¿forest restoration projects.
· Technical advisory services for the planning and sustainable management of watersheds.
