Vallès Occidental has established itself as the pioneering region in preventing the pollution of aquatic ecosystems. The implementation of TecnoGrabber technology, a state-of-the-art system designed to capture solids washed away by rain, has successfully retained up to 5,000 tons of waste across Catalonia, Spain, and Andorra. This initiative has significantly reduced the presence of debris in sanitation networks and watercourses.
Currently, 65 Catalan municipalities are utilizing this system, developed by the Bages-based engineering firm TecnoConverting. More than half of these installations are concentrated in Vallès Occidental, with a total of 33 retention points spread across towns such as Terrassa, Castellbisbal, Rubí, Sabadell, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Ripollet, and Palau-Solità.
Specifically, 923 tons of waste have been collected in Vallès Occidental, positioning it as the "cleanest" region. In Terrassa, a retention point located in the Can Farcan industrial estate, district 3, features four retention meshes installed in 2021 on the municipality's own initiative, predating legal requirements.
TecnoConverting emphasizes that the meshes are only part of the solution. After each intense rainfall event, it is crucial to inspect and replace full meshes to ensure the system's optimal functioning. To this end, the maintenance service has been enhanced to assist municipalities.
The TecnoGrabber operates as a barrier within the sanitation network. It retains wet wipes, plastics, and other solid waste carried by rainwater, preventing them from reaching the natural environment while allowing water to pass. Periodic maintenance ensures its continued effectiveness.
