GOservicios and Canal Isabel II: A pioneering contract.

At GOservicios, we firmly believe that innovation and adaptation to new environmental challenges are key to moving towards more sustainable water management. An example of this is the project we are carrying out together with Canal Isabel II in Madrid, an innovation contract that began at the end of 2023 and has represented both a technical and human challenge for our team.

 

The main objective is to monitor discharges at overflow structures, both in terms of quantity and quality, in order to characterise overflow events and generate a methodology that allows them to be anticipated based on the catchment area and rainfall conditions.

 

“The contract consists of installing measurement equipment in 75 overflow structures. We have already completed 27, and the goal is to be able to anticipate discharges based on the data collected, so that corrective measures can be proposed,” explains Jordi Fuentes, sewer network modeller at GOservicios.

 

 
 

A new regulation, a new challenge

The project arises as a result of Royal Decree 665/2023, which amends the regulations governing the Public Hydraulic Domain and requires entities responsible for discharges to monitor, record and control them. Canal Isabel II, a pioneer in this type of initiative, entrusted GOservicios with implementing a system that not only measures but also transforms data into useful knowledge for decision-making.

 

“It is not just about measuring flows and water quality. What is innovative is that, based on all this data, we will be able to characterise discharges and anticipate their behaviour depending on the type of catchment and rainfall,” Jordi points out.

 

Technology and on-site learning

One of the project’s challenges has been the installation of intrusive flow meters and automatic sampling systems in sewer networks, a field with limited prior experience.

 

“There is not a large number of specialists in installing this type of equipment, and it is also an activity with significant risks due to the extreme conditions of the working environment. We have learned as we went along, relying on the work of the discharge control team and on field experience,” Jordi explains.

 

 
 

In addition to installation, the contract involves constant maintenance, as the sensors operate under difficult conditions: confined spaces, presence of solids such as wipes, gases, and reliance on batteries for operation.

 

“The installed flow meters are sensors that measure level and flow velocity; from these data, the flow rate is calculated. It is important to highlight that, as they are in direct contact with water, these devices require special care in order to avoid blockages and ensure reliable data,” Jordi notes.

 

At GOservicios, this project reinforces our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, demonstrating that every step towards digitalization and intelligent monitoring is also a step towards sustainability and environmental protection.