New agreements boost development stemming from the "Platform for Water Quality and Biosecurity" project

With a view to its implementation, the project development includes the search for a client to ensure the delivery of the platform to a Supervisory Board, designed for its use and administration in water quality management.

The Water Technology Consortium (COTH2O) participated in a successful meeting to reach agreements on the development of the research project "Platform for Water Quality and Biosecurity," led by Dr. Ricardo Figueroa, professor of biology at the EULA-Chile Center for Environmental Sciences at the University of Concepción and COTH2O associate researcher.

Various topics related to the project, which concluded its first phase in 2024, were discussed at the meeting. Researchers from the University of Concepción, Dr. Natalia Julio, Dr. Luciana Das Dores de Jesús da Silva, Dr. Ricardo Figueroa, and Dr. María Elisa Díaz Burgos, were also present. COTH2O General Manager Gisela Vergara and UC Davis Chile extension professional Carolina Manríquez were also present.

During the meeting, the status of the project's development and its future projections were discussed, considering its potential impact on the Oversight Boards. This is within the framework of various public instruments aimed at impacting the project's scope and expected impact as a water quality platform.

The project aimed to gather historical water quality information based on relevant environmental variables and biosecurity-related information from various public and private sources. It also aimed to identify water quality data gaps to advance monitoring networks and/or develop environmental regulations.

In a discussion about the agreements reached regarding the project led by Dr. Ricardo Figueroa, the next step was defined as drafting new development-related projects. This new stage includes the incorporation of a formal client responsible for and monitoring the platform. It was also proposed that one or two oversight boards assume this role, ensuring their care and administration of the system. At least three of these boards are aware of and approve of the project as a necessary tool for water management.

The meeting allowed for progress on the "Platform for Water Quality and Biosecurity" project, generating new agreements and establishing concrete steps for its development.