A report from a journalist highlights the impact of clean water initiatives on the Algeciras coastline, focusing on wastewater treatment and the broader transformation for the city. The ceremony at the Madrid Press Association headquarters honored the latest Aqualia Journalism Award winners, with the company’s chief executive emphasizing journalism’s vital role in communicating water issues to citizens. He noted that Aqualia supports efforts that give the water sector a voice and promote informed public discourse.
The jury praised Montenegro’s piece for its clarity, usefulness, and accessible approach. It was commended for explaining a technically complex project in straightforward terms, remaining impartial while ensuring it was understandable by a broad audience.
The event also recognized Vanessa de la Cruz for the article Water: increasingly scarce and less renewable published in El Colombiano. The award was presented by the International Director of Aqualia, Luis de Lope, with a separate commendation going to Eve Gonzalez for a Confidencial piece that urged attention to water management. Miguel Ángel Noceda, president of the Federation of Spanish Press Associations, participated in presenting second honors.
Two special mentions carried a 1000 euro donation each. Rubén Ortega, Hugo Kukla, and David Pajuelo received recognition for Tank fighting the storm, a piece aired by RTVE, while Eva Rodriguez was honored for her SINC report on the ditches of the 21st century that contribute to climate adaptation through water management.
The overall prize pool for the Aqualia Journalism Award totals 8000 euros, with 3000 euros awarded to the winner, 1500 euros to the second prize, and 1000 euros distributed as honorable mentions to selected journalists.
The Aqualia Journalism Award seeks to emphasize the role of integrated water cycle management in everyday life. It also recognizes journalists who have contributed to spreading water culture as a scarce and valuable resource. In its sixth edition, 49 works across print and digital media in Spanish, including Colombian outlets for the first time, were submitted for consideration.
The award ceremony, organized by the Communications and CSR division, took place again at the Madrid Press Association. The newly elected president of the Spanish Federation of Journalist Associations, Miguel Ángel Noceda, spoke about journalism’s evolving role in relation to water issues. He stressed that sustainability must be put into practice to achieve tangible results, and that journalism plays a fundamental role in this process.
Following the ceremony, organizers invited journalists to participate in the seventh edition as plans for expansion were announced.
Water management as a journalistic asset
Over six editions, the Aqualia journalism competition has established itself as a benchmark for coverage of water management. The growing number of submissions reflects the rising importance of environmental topics, particularly those concerning water, in the media landscape.
In the competition’s inaugural year, Tomás Díaz received recognition for The cleaning fee will increase by 50% and the bill will become more expensive, a piece published in El Economista. The second edition saw Francisco Jiménez from Diario Sur win first prize for A constant trickle in the midst of drought. In 2018, Jorge García Badía of La Verdad de Murcia earned the award for The municipal water service loses 300,000 Euros a year due to fraud in the network. In 2019, Paco Rego won with In the eco-friendly and odorless car walking with Chiclana’s poop published in El Mundo. The fifth and final edition highlighted Rosa María Domínguez’s The hunt for coronavirus resurgence in Salamanca’s wastewater in La Gaceta de Salamanca, during a global health crisis.