Comprehensive restoration of the Filipinas-Remolar marsh in Viladecans, Barcelona
Client:
ACA
Location:
Barcelona
Period:
2025-2026
Type of service:
Sorigué is helping to improve water quality in the Filipinas-Remolar marsh, a protected and strategic wetland for biodiversity in the Baix Llobregat, province of Barcelona.
The solution includes an adaptive flooding system across various spaces, a new groundwater extraction well, and surface pumping equipment to encourage the inflow of water from the Vidala canal.
Furthermore, a network of piezometers has been installed at key points, alongside a set of measurement sensors that facilitate the monitoring and control of the new systems.
With this comprehensive restoration, the marsh remains flooded whenever necessary, ensuring that the entire body of water (317,000 m²) is completely renewed every 40 days. In this way, the species inhabiting the area can enjoy optimal conditions for survival and reproduction.
The Filipinas-Remolar marsh covers 188 hectares and is one of the most iconic natural areas of the Llobregat delta due to its rich flora and fauna, especially waterfowl.
According to the Management Plan for the River Basin District of Catalonia, this wetland was suffering from severe deterioration due to a lack of flood management and uncontrolled eutrophic waters (rich in phosphorus and nitrogen), leading to uncontrolled algae growth and a subsequent critical depletion of oxygen.
For years, its poor water quality had seriously damaged the ecosystem, but with Sorigué’s intervention, not only are floods managed, but the aquifers are also protected from saltwater intrusion.
The intervention was divided into two phases:
- Drilling and construction of a groundwater extraction well supplying high-quality water to various areas of the wetland.
- Construction and installation of a pumping station that extracts water from the Vidala river branch and supplies 1,896.03 m³/day to the Balsa de los Chopos pond.
Among the standout works is the creation of deeper water points for wildlife, removing a total volume of 3,600 m³ of earth, alongside the installation of gates to improve water flow and outlet points towards the Vidala canal.
Another measure implemented is the restoration of perimeter berms or containment dykes and the levelling of paths to prevent contaminated water from the Vidala canal and the Remolar pond from entering the marsh.
The following have also been incorporated: management and control tools such as piezometers in the shallow aquifer and sensors at the various water inlet and outlet points.
Both the well and the new pumping station are powered by electricity supplied by photovoltaic panels installed on non-floodable surfaces. Both are equipped with batteries that can operate for three consecutive days without solar charging.
DETAILS
Technical data
Pumping well
- 70 m deep
- 1,200 m³/day
Pumping station
- 1,896.03 m³/day from the Vidala branch to the Balsa de los Chopos pond
Electricity
- Two photovoltaic panel installations: 156 m² and 26 m²
Gates
- For water passages
- For outlet points to the Vidala
Restoration of the path section between zones 2 and 3
Restoration of the southern perimeter protection berm up to elevation +1.30.
Elimination of water inflow from irrigation canals, north of zone 1.
Removal of 3,600 m³ of earth to create deep water points.
Network of piezometers.
Sensors at various water inlet and outlet points.
Gallery
