80 |2020 Sustainability Report |Global challenge Public-private collaboration for the early detection of COVID-19 During the pandemic Aqualia demonstrated the capacity of WWTPs as safe installations and "lookouts" for the control of Public Health. During the pandemic, different studies revealed the including Salamanca, Ávila, Medina, Aranda, Guijuelo, existence of genetic material (RNA) corresponding to the Lleida, Dénia, Novelda, Villena, Morón de la Frontera, SARS-CoV-2 virus, in wastewater. This occurs because it Chipiona, Ronda, Algeciras (Emalgesa), Almería and has its origin in biological fluids and faeces from people El Puerto de Santa Maria (Apemsa). infected with the virus. In this regard, early identification in wastewater can serve as a warning of a reappearance At an international level there should be special mention of COVID-19 in the population. for the performance of Caltaqua (Aqualia's Italian subsidiary) in the analysis of wastewater jointly with This is why Aqualia, in collaboration with Hispano- the University of Palermo, to follow the development Luso Agrarian Research Centre (CIALE in Spanish) and of the coronavirus in Sicily. The agreement, signed by the Technological Research and Development Centre both parties, contemplated taking water samples at for Water (CIDTA in Spanish) launched a study at the the entrance to the treatment plants managed by the Salamanca WWTP where the best conditions for taking company and their subsequent analysis and establishing samples and analysis were defined (points and times for the viral load in the educational centre's laboratory. sampling, preservation of samples, method calibration). The initiative was included in the SARI programme The company also participated in a Spanish Government (Monitoring of Environmental Waste in Italy) implemented project promoted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition on a national scale by the Instituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), and the Demographic Challenge and the Ministry ofin collaboration with a number of regional governments, Health, to monitor the COVID-19 alert in wastewater. research centres and 50 water service operators. This project was developed in different towns and cities, Aqualia's awareness-raising role Closely linked to its daily activities, Aqualia implemented In this regard, the presence of Aqualiaas a significant a number of awareness-raising initiatives on the agent in the sector was demonstrated by its participation responsible use of water and caring for the environment. in events like the "Corporate Water Leaders Panel" As an example, on World Sanitation Day, Aqualia joined conference, held by Global Water Intelligence in order the call by the European Union to establish access to water to address the crisis generated by the new coronavirus and sanitation as a basic human right in EU legislation. and its repercussions on global water management. This digital event addressed strategic issues relating to the Also with the aim of raising awareness on the care of the pandemic, such as the contingency plans implemented sanitation network, a campaign was undertaken under by the utilities, the changes generated in the corporate the slogan #nolotires (#dontthrowitaway) to inform culture by COVID-19 and the formulas for success to the population and make people aware of the correct guarantee the sustainability of the sector after the crisis. way to dispose of masks and other single-use health The event was remotely attended by almost 1,000 viewers products whose consumption increased considerablyand there was also participation by important companies due to the pandemic. in the sector, such as Suez, Acciona and Dupont.