Last May 14th, IQS hosted a new edition of the CWP’s “Water Talks,” organized with the Catalan WaterPartnership – CWP, the technological center Eurecat and the Catalan Institute for Water Research – ICRA. In this session, researchers and industry experts discussed PFAS contamination in the water cycle, with the aim of bridging the gap between applied research and professional practice and highlighting the urgent need to go beyond mere regulatory compliance.
WaterTalks: PFAS in the Water Cycle. Innovation and Sector Challenges
IQS recently hosted a new edition of the “Water Talks,” organized in collaboration with CWP, Eurecat and ICRA, where researchers and industry experts discussed PFAS contamination in the water cycle, with the aim of bridging the gap between applied research and professional practice, highlighting the urgent need to go beyond mere regulatory compliance.
Water Talks are an initiative of the CWP designed to promote knowledge sharing and explore synergies between research and professional practice.
With an outstanding attendance of 150 professionals, researchers, and industry representatives, the event provided an essential forum to explore the state of research and the sector’s vision regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination, one of the major environmental challenges currently facing the water sector. Their persistence in the environment and increasing regulatory requirements make it essential to advance solutions for detection, monitoring, and treatment.
The institutional welcome was led by Dr. Núria Vallmitjana, Director of IQS Tech Transfer, who emphasized that ensuring public health safety requires a comprehensive strategy to manage persistent PFAS across the entire water cycle, spanning from groundwater sources to drinking water supplies. “At IQS, we are committed to continuing to meet the needs of society and businesses, with a special focus on sustainability and caring for the planet”, said Dr. Vallmitjana.
New Regulatory Tools and Guidelines
The first session focused on “The ACA’s ‘Guide for the Removal of PFAS in Water Treatment’: A Key Tool for the Water Sector”, an essential tool for the water sector promoted by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), which was presented by Cristina Barberà, technical staff of the ACA’s Local Government Support Unit, and Dr. Wolfgang Gernjak, ICREA researcher at ICRA. The guide is scheduled for publication in June 2026. Far beyond mere regulatory compliance, the document is the result of a broad technical consensus within the sector, featuring contributions from 14 different entities. It provides a comprehensive overview of PFAS, covering current regulations, detection and prevention strategies, innovative treatment technologies, and their application in practical scenarios.
From Research to Elimination: Technological Innovation
The program featured prominent figures in applied research, offering valuable perspectives on transitioning from simple monitoring to the definitive destruction of these “eternal contaminants.” Carme Bosch, Head of Soil and Groundwater Research at Eurecat, showcased innovative technologies for water treatment, with real life examples of various projects carried out by the center. Following her, Nick Duinslaeger, CEO of the ICRA spin-off GRAPHEC, focused on the electrochemical destruction of PFAS using graphene, a patented and scalable technology capable of degrading both short- and long-chain PFAS compounds efficiently without forming toxic byproducts.
The event also explored the territorial dimension of the issue through the contributions of Dr. Cristian Gómez Canela , from the Engineering and Simulation of Environmental Processes Group – GESPA at IQS. He presented a comprehensive study on the monitoring and distribution of PFAS across the main Catalan rivers, highlighting a clear dynamic of accumulation from the river’s source to its mouth, with notable concentration peaks strongly associated with specific industrial hotspots along the rivers. He also mentioned The Forever Pollution Project, as an example of the extent of PFAS contamination across Europe, shown with an interactive map.
Corporate Solutions for Complex Challenges
In a dynamic “elevator pitch” format, several leading companies demonstrated the practical implementation of technological innovation. Montse Pallarès, Director Value Excellence Hub Kurita, introduced the Kurita 360º model, an integrated strategy that ranges from comprehensive PFAS analysis and system audits to efficient remediation technology. Subsequently, Oleg Dubov, CEO of Fidchem, presented the PAIL platform, an innovative system based on polymeric ionic liquids designed for the selective capture, efficient concentration, and controlled mineralization of PFAS in complex industrial effluents. Finally, Ricard Mora, Managing Director of ESOLVE, addressed the multifaceted challenges of managing these compounds within environmental decontamination and water purification projects.
The Round Table: Collaboration, Resilience, and Hybrid Synergies
The conference culminated in an insightful and extensive round table discussion moderated by Lucia Gusmaroli, European Projects and Internationalization Area Manager at the CWP.
During the debate, Laura Díaz, Head of the Chromatography Department at Labaqua, emphasized that the real challenge is building flexible, advanced systems capable of identifying unknown emerging contaminants and adapting proactively to future legislation. An ongoing collaborative project with IQS to design a hybrid system for mitigating PFAS contamination in drinking water was highlighted by Carmen Espinosa, Head of R&D+i at Aigües de Vic. Miquel Paraira, Director of Water Quality at Aigües de Barcelona, urged the industry to exceed upcoming regulatory standards to ensure maximum citizen safety. To complement these perspective, Rafael Torrico,Head of Production at EMATSA, stressed the need for resilient systems and source-level contamination control.
The WaterTalks event was formally concluded by Jordi Cros, President of the Catalan Water Partnership. This event was not simply an isolated conference, but a coherent and articulated project designed to position the academic and water sectors one step ahead of future challenges. The sessions made it clear that effective water resource management will require a holistic integration of rigorous analytical control, territorial prevention, and technological innovation to achieve the definitive destruction of contaminants. Initiatives like this reaffirm the IQS’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, social progress, and sustainability through shared knowledge and collaborative networks.
