The University of Cádiz, under the coordination of Juana María Arellano, held the launch meeting of the European AQUACARE project on 16 and 17 September 2025. This initiative, part of the Interreg Sudoe programme, aims to preserve natural capital and strengthen climate change adaptation in southwestern Europe.
During the opening session, Carlos Alberto Aragón Cruz, representative of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, highlighted the importance of the new European Directive on urban wastewater, which sets stricter standards to protect health and the environment. AQUACARE will be essential for adapting this regulation to the Spanish context.
The project includes pilot actions in five rivers, the development of advanced water treatment technologies, and a communication plan to raise public awareness. The next consortium meeting will take place in Perpignan in January 2026.