Relations with stakeholders (G4-25; G4-26)

For Aqualia, maintaining fluid and constant contact with its stakeholders to know their expectations and requirements is a key for defining its corporate responsibility strategy.

A global company with local management

During 2016, Aqualia has especially strengthened its contact with the leading local communications media in the geographical areas in which the company carries out its work. It has held numerous meetings in which it explained the company's vision on current questions in the sector and information on the most notable aspects of each service or branch.

Reinforcing Aqualia’s positioning in local and regional communications media opens the door to new channels for communication that bring the company closer to the end consumer. Thus, Aqualia ended 2016 with an increase in its information, publishing and public awareness activity.

The company also collaborates with other institutions in its work of responsibly communicating and participates in the communication discipline working groups created by the Spanish Water Supply and Sanitation Association (AEAS) and the Andalusian Water Supply and Sanitation Association (ASA) to define clear, regular and close guidelines for explaining the value of the management of the integrated water cycle to society overall.

This communication effort by Aqualia during the year was also reflected in the ranking published annually by iAgua that positions the company as the second most influential organisation in the sector in Spain and Latin America.

Enhancing employee relationships

In the ambit of internal applications, Aqualia has continued to enhance the relationship with its employees through the Aqualia ONE intranet, information bulletins received by workers daily by e-mail, and Tu Flash, the monthly printed bulletin for personnel who do not have their own access to online information.

It has also carried out other initiatives to encourage the transverse knowledge of all areas of the company and to promote interaction between the departments. For example, in Santa Catalina, Jaén, some 30 workers from administrative posts, meter readers, technical office and customer service in Jaén visited the waste water treatment plant in the municipality, operated by Aqualia since 1997. During the visit, the attendees took part in an information talk on the supply to the city and the integral management of the water cycle as well as the functioning of the WWTP.

The purpose of these communications is to effectively provide employees, as ambassadors of the company, with structured information on the company and the sector that allows them to answer questions connected with the activity with full guarantee of proven reliability.

The family is also an important element to take into account in relations with employees. For this reason, and for seven years, Aqualia has held the Pequeartistas Digital Drawing Competition for the grandchildren and children of employees. In 2016, it should be noted, participation in the competition was also widened to the workers’ nieces and nephews.

A leader in technical matters, innovation, sustainability and communication

In 2016, Aqualia notably increased its presence in strategic events and forums, both nationally and internationally, that consolidate the company’s positioning as a leader in the sector in the developing of innovative solutions that respond to current and future challenges in water management.