Keynote Speakers
Urban Hydrology and Sustainable Drainage: Towards Water Resilience
Presented by:
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
This presentation will showcase the research activities conducted over more than 20 years in the field of urban hydrology, in his role as a professor at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. A brief overview of his research experience in various topics related to urban hydrology will be provided, including water quality meteorology, rainwater harvesting, sediment management in runoff, and asset management in urban drainage systems. The connection between these topics and the development of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) will be highlighted, with a particular focus on their role as key multipurpose infrastructure for the efficient capture of rainwater. At the end of the presentation, his current research on SuDS in contexts of high uncertainty will be presented, with an emphasis on scenarios related to climate change, demographic shifts, and urbanization.
The CIIDAR in Oruro (Bolivia): studying the behavior of the wastewater treatments at high altitudes.
Presented by:
PhD in Chemistry from the University of Seville
The Centro Internacional de Investigación y Desarrollo en Aguas Residuales (CIIDAR) is a research and development center in Bolivia, designed to enhance the competitiveness of the sanitation sector, develop standards aligned with international guidelines, and improve social acceptance of wastewater treatment plants. Located at nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, it will feature nine treatment lines with varying capacities and include laboratories, classrooms, and a meteorological station. CIIDAR prioritizes flexible technology implementation, sludge treatment, and the reuse of treated water for agriculture. Currently under construction and expected to open in 2025, it is part of a larger program supported by the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) and the European Union to improve water and sewage access in Bolivia’s peri-urban areas.
Water is a source of energy
Presented by: Lluc Canals Casals and Beatriz Amante García
Historically, water has been used in countless energy applications: as a means of transportation via currents and canals, as a source of energy to power mills for grain grinding, and even to generate electricity by driving turbines. However, recently, significant research has been focused on separating the water molecule to produce hydrogen, the energy carrier expected to shape the future.
This presentation introduces the MESH project, which utilizes water from a wastewater effluent from the textile industry to recover hydrogen through an electrochemical treatment. It will also present the research conducted by the UPC through the Specific Hydrogen Center.
“The challenges of strategic planning and governance of water resources in Bolivia: territorial planning, contribution to emission reduction, and risk management.”
Presented by:
Isabel Melina Balderrama
Industrial Engineer with a PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and extensive experience in water management since 2010. She has served as Director of the Environmental Engineering Department and Coordinator of Special Projects at UCB. She has led international projects in collaboration with organizations such as the UNDP, funded by institutions like the EU, Germany, and Sweden. Currently, she coordinates the Bolivia WATCH program, focused on managing watersheds and water resources with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment and Water. She is also a co-author of the book on Bolivia’s energy transition (2024).
