The Port of Barcelona, MB92, and CNAB launch a pioneering project to reuse greywater

Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta (CNAB), with the support of the Barcelona City Council; MB92 Barcelona shipyard; and the Port of Barcelona are developing an innovative circular economy initiative to reuse greywater from the showers at the Municipal Sports Centre (CEM) Sant Sebastià, managed by CNAB, in several daily operations at MB92. This project, called AiguaNova, will significantly reduce potable water consumption at the shipyard. 

The initiative, unique in Europe in the field of greywater regeneration in a sports center, has the support of the Barcelona City Council, which, through the “Barcelona amb l’esport sostenible” awards, granted CNAB a budget allocation of €100,000 to co-finance this project. These awards aim to recognize best practices in water management and the implementation of new measures to reduce water use in the city’s sports facilities. 

As stated by David Escudé, Barcelona’s Sports Councillor, “The ‘Barcelona amb l’esport sostenible’ awards were created to promote projects like the one now realized at CEM Sant Sebastià—a pioneering initiative that values sustainability and innovation, ensuring and optimizing water use and savings in the city’s sports centers.” 

How it Works 

Greywater from the showers in CEM Sant Sebastià’s locker rooms will be collected. First, a preliminary filtration removes solid waste, then the water is pumped through an underground pipeline crossing Passeig Joan de Borbó to MB92. The pipeline ends in a technical room within MB92’s facilities, where an ultrafiltration treatment plant will be installed. Once treated, the water will be reused for cleaning yacht hulls and in cooling towers, significantly reducing potable water consumption at the shipyard. 

The technical development and project design were carried out by Cenpas Engineering and Architecture, based on the successful experience of recycling shower greywater for clay court irrigation at the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899. 

Environmental impact and efficiency 

CEM Sant Sebastià consumes about 33,600 m³ of water annually. Of this, 75%—over 25,000 m³ per year—comes from locker room greywater, equivalent to filling 10 Olympic swimming pools, which is the amount expected to be recovered through this project. 

MB92 consumes around 50 m³ daily for hull cleaning and cooling yachts when they are out of the water in the dry dock area. Once AiguaNova is fully operational, MB92 will eliminate nearly all potable water use for operations, except for occasional peaks during high season. 

Timeline and phases 

The technical room at CEM Sant Sebastià is complete, and work is ongoing to install pipes under Passeig Joan de Borbó and the treatment plant near MB92’s Syncrolift area. These works will be finished by next summer. The next phase, increasing water storage capacity, will begin in summer and extend the pipeline network from MB92’s 2,000-tonne Synchrolift platform to the 4,800-tonne Shiplift. 

This €1 million project reinforces the Port of Barcelona, MB92, and CNAB’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and efficient water resource management, positioning Barcelona as a leader in circular and blue economy practices. 

The Port of Barcelona is working with other concessionaires in the port area to develop similar initiatives for greywater recovery and reduced potable water consumption. Studies are underway to determine if the project at CEM Sant Sebastià and MB92 can be replicated in other areas of the port. 

Barcelona frequently faces drought episodes that threaten potable water availability. In response, the Port of Barcelona and its Port Community actively work to identify and implement measures that reduce water consumption. 

Héctor Cruz, CNAB Operations Director, comments that “For the Club, AiguaNova is a real opportunity to advance responsible water management and contribute to a more sustainable model for the city. This collaboration shows that when we look beyond the boundaries of sports facilities, solutions emerge that go far beyond sports. In times of water scarcity, initiatives like this allow us to take concrete steps toward circularity. We are proud to be part of a project that highlights collective environmental commitment.” 

Marc Hervás, MB92 Group Sustainability Manager, explains that “AiguaNova is a clear example of how cross-sector collaboration can drive real progress toward sustainability and inspire similar future initiatives. By uniting diverse industries around a common purpose and strong local community, we demonstrate the positive impact of committed alliances. Recent water shortages show that circular economy solutions are no longer optional—they are essential. This initiative responds to that urgency, and I look forward to seeing its results.” 

José Alberto Carbonell, President, Port of Barcelona, concludes that “At the Port of Barcelona, we are firmly committed to sustainability and efficient water resource management. AiguaNova exemplifies how collaboration between port, sports, and business entities can generate innovative solutions to the environmental challenges facing our city. In a context marked by water scarcity, initiatives like this help us advance toward a circular economy and position Barcelona as an international benchmark in greywater recovery and reuse. We will continue working with our Port Community to extend this model and actively contribute to preserving such an essential resource as water.” 

About MB92 Barcelona 
MB92 Barcelona provides refit, repair, and maintenance services for superyachts up to 200 meters in length at its service center in one of the world’s leading yachting destinations. Part of MB92 Group—alongside MB92 La Ciotat, MB92 Red Sea, MB92 Golfe-Juan, and GYG Ltd—MB92 Barcelona aims to deliver a superior client experience through listening, learning, and innovation. Projects are managed by a specialized team of over 190 experienced professionals, supported by a global network of leading superyacht service providers. Sustainability is a key strategic pillar, and MB92 Barcelona is committed to minimizing its environmental impact and working with clients and the industry in this direction. Its facilities and processes are certified under ISO 9001, 14001, and 50001 standards for quality, environmental, and energy management. 

About CNAB 
Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta (CNAB) is a non-profit sports organization formed by the merger of Club Natació Atlètic (founded in 1913) and Barceloneta Amateur Club (founded in 1929). CNAB promotes physical activity, swimming, and water polo, offering a wide range of sports for all ages. Its mission is to be an open and welcoming space where sports and healthy habits are accessible to all citizens. CNAB combines competitiveness and excellence with social and cultural commitment, strengthening its ties to Barceloneta and Barcelona. Its values—respect, effort, discipline, teamwork, humility, and community commitment—underpin its identity and reinforce its dedication to sustainability, coexistence, and continuous improvement.