Ferrovial and Construcciones Rubau have commenced work on the expansion and modernization of the Ter Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP), Catalonia’s largest facility of its kind. This project, commissioned by Ens d’Abastament d’Aigua Ter-Llobregat (ATL), represents a substantial investment in regional water infrastructure.
The upgrade, valued at €102 million, will be undertaken by Ferrovial’s water infrastructure subsidiary, Cadagua, in partnership with Rubau’s water division, Arema. The project is expected to take 48 months to complete and includes comprehensive improvements to the plant’s capabilities.
The project involves upgrading the existing sand filters and installing new granular activated carbon filters, along with advanced water disinfection facilities. Additional infrastructure to be built includes a filtered water tank, an ozonation building, and a structure to house the activated carbon filters.
A challenge for the project is maintaining uninterrupted operation of the plant during the upgrade. To address this, connections to existing facilities will be carefully managed to avoid disrupting the water supply. Once completed, the modernization of the Ter DWTP will strengthen its infrastructure and ensure a reliable and high-quality water supply for the Barcelona metropolitan area.
Inaugurated in 1966, the Ter DWTP is a cornerstone of the water supply system for the greater Barcelona area. With a treatment capacity of 8 cubic meters per second (8 m³/s) and four reservoirs offering a combined storage capacity of 557,664 m³, the facility currently provides approximately two-thirds of the water supply for the region under normal conditions.
This project is designed to secure both the quantity and quality of water provided by the plant, aligning with the stringent standards set forth by Directive 2020/2184.
The contract solidifies Ferrovial and Cadagua’s presence in Catalonia, where they have contributed to the construction and management of several wastewater treatment facilities, including the Baix Llobregat, Besòs, Sant Joan Despí, and Gavà Viladecans plants.
For Rubau and Arema, the agreement expands their portfolio of water management projects in the region. Notable contributions include the Salmorres sewer main, the expansion of the Tossa de Mar WWTP, and the construction of the Sant Gregori WWTP, noted for its key ecological role.