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Experts from the public and private sectors agree on the key role of AI in improving water monitoring
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Digitalisation is progressing, but research centres warn of the need for reliable data and expert analysis
Speakers and organizers of WaterTalks on the digitalization of water pollutant monitoring. | Alejandro Rodríguez
On 18 November, the Catalan Water Partnership (CWP) and the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA–CSIC) hosted a new edition of the WaterTalks, the series of events organised by the CWP together with knowledge centres and universities associated with the cluster to promote knowledge transfer. This session aimed to present and discuss the latest advances in monitoring pollutants in water bodies using digital technologies.
The event began with a welcome address by Ethel Eljarrat, Director of IDAEA-CSIC, who highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between companies and research institutions. This was followed by the opening talk by Enric Vázquez, hydrogeologist and Deputy Director of IDAEA-CSIC, who emphasised that digital technologies, such as AI and advanced remote sensing, among others, once properly integrated into hydrogeological science and approached from a sustainable management perspective, will enable progress towards more sustainable, safe and resilient water management.
Several experts from research and industry presented R&D projects and practical case studies. Juan José Hidalgo (IDAEA-CSIC) outlined the use of artificial intelligence in hydrogeological modelling, stressing that deep learning systems are particularly useful for handling time-series and spatial data, as they significantly improve prediction in heterogeneous systems at both small and large scales.
For his part, Oriol Gutiérrez (ICRA) explained how the 4SM project developed digital and sustainable solutions for advanced urban sanitation management, recalling that preventive and reactive solutions must be combined to address network challenges. Meanwhile, Ester Aguilera (Amphos21) delved into the use of visual sensors to predict pollutants in water. To conclude this block, Montserrat Batlle (ADASA) presented digital solutions for microbiological monitoring focused on measuring and predicting E. coli.
The event also featured a roundtable that opened a space for debate on the challenges and opportunities that digitalisation offers for pollutant monitoring. Participants included Sandra Pérez (IDAEA-CSIC), Núria López (University of Barcelona – IDRA), Fran Martín (Earthpulse), Jordi Raich (Badger Meter Spain) and, as moderator, Lucia Gusmaroli (Catalan Water Partnership). The discussion covered best practices in collaboration between companies and knowledge centres, examples of innovative projects, considerations on the advent of AI applied to environmental analysis, and the importance of complementarity between digital solutions and laboratory analyses.
Participants stressed the essential role of public research centres in providing reliable, high-quality data, as well as the need to understand and adapt to end-user requirements to ensure that digitalisation is truly useful. They also discussed current challenges such as detecting pollutants at very low concentrations, linking data on macro- and micropollutants, and advancing continuous monitoring of compounds like PFAS.
Finally, regarding the role of AI, speakers agreed that it is a complementary tool that should never replace expert knowledge or informed decision-making.
With over 70 attendees, this new edition of WaterTalks has helped strengthen ties between research and industry, fostering knowledge transfer in an emerging field such as technologies applied to pollutant detection.
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