The Andalusian regional channel Tierra y Mar and the program Espacio Protegido on the South Channel TV profile a study that was part of a broader set of 60 journalistic works in a notable issue of the magazine. The initiative was linked to a national congress on Urban Water Supply, Sanitation and Treatment held in Córdoba in September 2022. The study highlights the pivotal role water management companies play in delivering water to homes and ensuring it is returned safely to the environment. In this new climate context, where changes are accelerating, the creators argue that water deserves greater value because our wellbeing and nature’s balance depend on it.
The jury praised the first prize for its informative approach and the quality of the report, noting how it raised awareness about water challenges through a channel that reaches a broad local audience and non-specialist viewers alike.
The award was announced at a ceremony at the Madrid Press Association headquarters. Santiago Lafuente, Spain Director for Aqualia, underscored the importance of journalists as public stewards who inform citizens about how the water cycle is managed. The ceremony was hosted by Juan Pablo Merino, Aqualia’s Director of Communications and Corporate Sustainability, who guided the event with a straightforward emphasis on public accountability.
In addition to the main prize, a notable discussion surrounded articles published in the national press debating whether the price of water should rise to combat drought, and a feature on how 16 percent of Spain’s water is lost to leaks. The journalist Miguel Ángel Noceda, as president of the Federation of Spanish Associations of Journalists (FAPE), received the award for a compelling piece. Another journalist, Roberto Zamarbide, earned a second runner-up honor for an article in Salamanca Newspaper titled From the Collector to the River, with Arturo Larena, EFEnoticias and EFE Agency EFEverde, credited for their role in the reporting chain.
Special mentions went to Pilar Fernandez and Cristina Aguinaga for a seven-part series on water supply in Pamplona and its surrounding region, published in Diario de Navarra. Erika Fontalvo was recognized for a piece titled Is Colombia a Water-Rich Country? published in Colombian media as part of a broader reporting initiative. The jury also highlighted Jose Ignacio Martinez for a Country feature on a Tanzanian engineer who made drinking water accessible to thousands, a story described as a powerful reminder of how water access can transform communities.
Juan Pablo Merino, who oversees Communications and Corporate Sustainability, encouraged journalists from across Spain and Colombia to participate in the eighth edition of the competition, with rules to be announced in due course. The Aqualia Journalism Award aims to underline the everyday importance of managing the integrated water cycle for citizens and to recognize journalists who contribute to a broader water culture. The prize pool totals 8,000 euros, distributed with 3,000 euros for the winner, 1,500 for a runner-up, and 1,000 for special mentions, with the remaining share allocated as described in the official guidelines.
Second place in participation
Over seven years, the award has seen 340 journalism works submitted by 235 authors from 141 media outlets. This year alone featured 60 applications, setting a new record and surpassing the 65 articles received during the fifth edition. The data signals a growing interest in the water cycle and its management across news media. Approximately 40 percent of nominations appeared in regional media, about 40 percent in national Spanish media, and roughly 15 percent in Colombian outlets. The award’s scope expanded in a recent edition, coinciding with Aqualia’s rapid growth in Colombia since its entry into the market in 2020.
Looking back at the award’s first edition in 2016, the jury named Tomás Díaz as the winner for a piece published in Economist newspaper. In the second edition, Francisco Jiménez was honored for coverage in South American outlets. The 2018 prize went to Jorge García Badía of Murcian Truth. A year later, Paco Rego from World earned recognition, followed by Rosa María Domínguez from Salamanca Newspaper in the fifth edition. In the most recent edition, Raquel Montenegro from Southern Europe received the prize, marking a continued trend of impactful reporting across diverse regions.
Altogether, the prize program demonstrates a sustained commitment to elevating water-related journalism, encouraging responsible reporting, and supporting journalists who illuminate the daily realities of water management. It remains a central platform for discussing water affordability, infrastructure, and conservation, while inspiring audiences to recognize water as a critical shared resource with a broad societal impact.