Organizing world-class events and at the same time making them environmentally responsible is not only possible, but it is a reality, as demonstrated by the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, the most relevant sailing competition in the world, which Barcelona hosts between August and October. Aigües de Barcelona contributes to the sustainability of this competition by reducing its water footprint thanks to the supply of regenerated water for cleaning boats. In the same vein, the company has installed multiple water points to facilitate attendees' access to drinking water and reduce waste generation. In addition, the company has made the Besòs wastewater treatment plant available to the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup as a location for a climate installation whose objective is to provide both the organization and the general public with real-time meteorological information during the development of the competition.
Regenerated water, the key to the sustainability of the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona
More than 50 boats, including those of the Emirates Team New Zealand, the youth and women's competition boats, and also the organization's fleet, use regenerated water, supplied by Aigües de Barcelona, for cleaning and maintaining the boats; a measure of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Strategic Sustainability Plan that will allow for a nearly 100% reduction in the water footprint of these boats.
Regenerated water is treated wastewater that undergoes additional treatment that allows its reuse for multiple purposes such as, for example, cleaning streets or irrigation, thus following a circular economy model. Regenerated water is produced and used where there is demand and has a low energy cost, lower in any case than water from other alternative sources, such as desalination plants.
This reuse of a scarce resource such as water in our country allows for a reduction in dependence on rain, as well as a decrease in water extraction from rivers and aquifers. Last year, Aigües de Barcelona regenerated almost 58 cubic hectometers of treated wastewater, a figure equivalent to the annual consumption of one and a half million people.
Water points and calculation of the water and carbon footprint
Another objective of the competition is waste reduction. In accordance with this commitment, Aigües de Barcelona has installed more than 30 water fountains in different areas of the tournament such as the Race Village, Plaça del Mar, and Bogatell beach.
The company will also contribute to the 37th America's Cup Strategic Sustainability Plan through the calculation of the event's carbon footprint and water footprint.
This close collaboration between Aigües de Barcelona and the America's Cup is another example of its commitment to the sustainability of major events in Barcelona and in all its activities, thus contributing to achieving a more sustainable future.