FUNDACION IMDEA AGUA

Their core work

IMDEA Water is a Madrid-based research institute specializing in water treatment, aquatic ecosystem protection, and microbial electrochemical technologies. Their core work spans developing decentralized wastewater treatment systems, assessing chemical pollutant risks in freshwater and coastal environments, and studying the impact of plastics and contaminants on agricultural and aquatic systems. They bridge environmental science with engineering solutions — from bioelectrochemical wetlands to desalination technologies — making them a practical partner for both environmental monitoring and water technology development.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015-2018), IMDEA Water focused on aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem management, and developing bioelectrochemical treatment technologies — combining ecological science with engineering (AQUACROSS, iMETland, TAPAS). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward contaminant risk: chemical pollutants, pharmaceuticals, and especially plastic contamination in agriculture and water systems (ECORISK2050, PAPILLONS). This evolution shows a clear move from "understanding water ecosystems" to "protecting them from emerging pollutants."

They are moving toward contaminant fate and agricultural plastics research — expect future work on microplastics, PFAS, or chemical risk assessment under climate change.

How they like to work

IMDEA Water operates primarily as a specialist partner (5 of 6 projects as participant), contributing deep water science expertise to larger consortia. They coordinated once (iMETland), showing they can lead but prefer the contributor role. With 74 unique partners across 28 countries, they are well-networked and comfortable in diverse international teams — a reliable partner who brings focused technical knowledge rather than project management overhead.

Extensive European network with 74 unique partners across 28 countries, indicating broad geographic reach and acceptance across diverse consortium configurations. No single-country clustering — they collaborate pan-European.

What sets them apart

IMDEA Water sits at a rare intersection: they combine microbial electrochemistry engineering (building water treatment systems) with environmental risk science (assessing what pollutants do to ecosystems). Most water research centers do one or the other. This dual capability means they can both diagnose contamination problems and develop bio-based treatment solutions, making them especially valuable for projects that need the full chain from risk assessment to remediation technology.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MIDES
  Their largest-funded project (EUR 965K) on microbial desalination for low-energy drinking water — a high-impact technology with direct commercial applications.
• iMETland
  Their only coordinated project, developing a next-generation bioelectrochemical wetland for decentralized wastewater treatment — demonstrates leadership capability and core institutional expertise.
• PAPILLONS
  Most recent project (2021-2025) on agricultural plastics, signaling their strategic pivot toward one of Europe's top emerging environmental concerns.