La City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia has launched a broad project to improve the water efficiency of its lakesOne of the defining features of the architectural and cultural complex, the ponds and water features are undergoing a major modernization of their treatment and cleaning systems after more than two decades of operation.
With an initial investment of 3 millones de eurosThe Valencian enclave has set out to reduce water and energy consumption, while optimizing water quality and simplifying maintenance tasks. The plan combines renovated infrastructuresNew filtration technologies and a greater emphasis on renewable energy within the venue's overall sustainability strategy.
A project to modernize the lakes and reduce consumption
The general manager of the complex, Ana OrtellsThis intervention is defined as a ambitious modernization plan The project aims to adapt the lakes to the latest advances in efficient water management. The objective is to improve the daily operation of the ponds without altering their external appearance, as most of the work will be internal and technical in nature.
The investment is directed towards the infrastructure renewal that make up the filtration, pumping, and cleaning systems for the ponds and water features. This includes replacing aging equipment, improving pipes and conduits, and incorporating mechanisms that allow for detecting and eliminating leaks to make the most of every liter of water.
As explained by management, the action is due to a dual reason: on the one hand, the wear and tear of original equipment, installed during the construction phase of the complex; on the other hand, the opportunity to integrate more efficient technologies that have proven their effectiveness in other similar projects in Spain and Europe.
This first phase focuses especially on the water features of the Agora and in the lake of Museum of SciencesThese are two of the most emblematic spaces within the complex. The plan is to complete the modernization with future work on the remaining ponds of the architectural ensemble in the coming years.
Filtration technology with recycled glass to improve water efficiency
The technical core of the project is based on the implementation of recycled virgin glass particle filtersThese systems replace the traditional ones used until now. This type of filtration takes advantage of the particle size and micropolishing of the glass grains to retain a greater quantity of microorganisms and suspended particles.
This solution achieves significantly increase water transparency and improve their hygienic conditions, reducing the need for frequent draining or large-scale replacement of the lake volume. As it is a recycled material, it also reinforces the project's environmental component, aligning with the circular economy policies promoted in the European Union.
From the Technical and Maintenance Department, Paco Llopis It explains that this technology allows for virtually eliminating the organic load present in the water, resulting in clearer water with fewer contaminants. Furthermore, the new filters have a longer lifespan than previous systems, reducing the frequency of replacements and the amount of waste generated.
Another key aspect is the automation of the filtering and cleaning processThe new equipment incorporates controls that more precisely regulate filter washing cycles, recirculation, and working pressure, so that the system adapts better to the actual needs of the ponds and avoids unnecessary water and energy consumption.
Thanks to this combination of recycled glass filters and automation, the City of Arts and Sciences expects an overall improvement in the performance of the facility, both in terms of consumption and stability of water conditions throughout the year.
Triple benefit: water, energy and fewer chemical additives
The implementation of this new technology in lakes seeks to achieve a triple benefit clearly defined by those responsible for the project. The first axis is the reduction of water consumptionThis will be achieved by eliminating structural leaks and implementing more efficient processes that facilitate the recirculation and reuse of existing water.
The second axis focuses on the reduction in electricity costs associated with treatment and filtration. By requiring less operating time for pumps and equipment, and by optimizing backwash and cleaning cycles, a significant reduction in the complex's energy bill is expected, in line with the savings targets being set by many European public facilities.
The third pillar of the project is the reduction in the use of additives and chemicals necessary to maintain the water in suitable conditions. By improving the quality of the filtration and better stabilizing the water parameters, a smaller quantity of compounds is required for prevent algae growth or maintain the clarity of the water sheets.
Taken together, these three lines of action aim to ensure that the lakes are more sustainable and less dependent on external resourcesThis applies to water, energy, and chemical reagents. This approach aligns with the general trend in Europe to transform large public infrastructures into low-environmental-impact spaces.
The technicians emphasize that, despite the scale of the investment, the visual impact on visitors will be practically nil, since most of the improvements are designed to work on the internal parts of the systems and not on the aesthetics of the ponds.
Integration into a global renewable energy plan
The best of the water efficiency of lakes This is not an isolated action, but rather part of a comprehensive plan for the complex to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. Within this framework, a photovoltaic installation has already been launched on the overhangs of the Museum of Sciences, which is generating significant energy savings.
Alongside solar power generation, the site is implementing what has been defined as the largest geothermal plant in the Valencian CommunityDesigned to harness the temperature of underground aquifers, this infrastructure will provide a more stable climate control and energy backup system, with less reliance on conventional sources.
According to the technical team itself, it turns out It is essential to make progress in the use of renewables so that the City of Arts and Sciences can move closer to a more sustainable operating model. The combination of photovoltaic and geothermal energy, along with the optimization of water use in the lakes, contributes to building a more balanced energy ecosystem within the complex.
In practice, these measures translate into a progressive reduction of the energy bill and a lower volume of indirect emissions, factors that are increasingly important in public policy and European funding criteria. Although the public may not perceive major changes at first glance, the impact will be noticeable in internal management and in the venue's ability to operate with fewer resources.
Those in charge insist that the goal is to combine the preservation of architectural and landscape value of the City of Arts and Sciences with a technical update that places it at the level of current efficiency standards in Europe.
European funds and the rehabilitation of public buildings
These actions in the lakes are part of the initiatives that CACSA is being developed under the agreement signed between the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda and the Valencian Regional Government. The project is part of the Program to Promote the Rehabilitation of Public Buildings (PIREP), included within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
The set of interventions linked to this program exceeds 16 millones de euros, financed through European funds NextGeneration EUIn this context, the commitment to water and energy efficiency at the City of Arts and Sciences fits with the philosophy of sustainable rehabilitation of public facilities that the European Union is promoting after the pandemic.
Within this framework, the improvement of ponds is considered an action of high impact on resource savingsThis is significant both because of the volume of water managed by the lakes and because of the complex's importance as a cultural, tourist, and scientific landmark. The experience gained from this modernization can serve as a model for other similar projects in Spain.
The combination of European funding, regional investment, and specialized technical management allows for accelerated renewal of key infrastructure without the need to make drastic changes to the design of the venue, which maintains its recognizable image for residents and visitors.
With this set of measures, the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències takes an important step towards making its lakes more efficient, sustainable and easier to maintainBy improving water quality, reducing consumption, and relying on renewable energy, the project positions the Valencia complex alongside other major European infrastructure projects that are adapting their water and energy systems to new environmental standards, without sacrificing the visual appeal that has made them an iconic landmark of the city.
