A Welsh technology company, Hydro Industries, has successfully tackled a major environmental challenge in Ecuador, providing groundbreaking solutions to treat toxic wastewater from the country’s largest landfill site.
The Carmarthenshire-based firm was selected by the Municipality of Quito to clean 192,000 tonnes of contaminated water from the El Inga landfill site, a facility serving a population comparable to the entire region of South Wales.
This high-profile project has set a global record, as the highest altitude treatment facility of its kind, standing nearly 9,000 feet above sea level. Hydro’s innovative, patented technology, designed and developed in Wales, will treat over 800 tonnes of highly toxic leachate water per day, preventing harmful contaminants from entering the local water system. With pollutants such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium present in the landfill runoff, the firm’s intervention is critical in safeguarding the nearby El Inga River, which flows through UNESCO World Heritage sites in Quito.
Santiago Andrade, General Manager of EMGIRS-EP, the waste management authority in Quito, praised the Welsh company for delivering a world-class solution at speed.
“We searched globally for the best technology to address this urgent issue, and Hydro Industries was selected due to its rapid response and advanced water treatment capabilities. The system they’ve installed will protect our environment and set a new standard for landfill leachate treatment worldwide.”
The project is seen as a major win for British and Welsh expertise, with the UK Government and the British Embassy in Quito playing a key role in securing the contract. Chris Campbell, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ecuador, highlighted the importance of the project, noting that it showcases British innovation in science and technology on the global stage.
“Hydro Industries has shown exceptional leadership and drive in securing this deal, which will benefit the people of Quito and highlight the cutting-edge environmental solutions that Wales and the UK can offer.”
Hydro Industries CEO, Wayne Preece, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement.
“This project represents the best of Welsh engineering and innovation, and we are delighted to see our technology making a positive impact in Ecuador. It’s a testament to our ability to solve complex environmental challenges swiftly, and we look forward to continuing our work in other regions.”
The successful installation is not only a victory for the people of Quito but also places Wales on the map as a global leader in environmental solutions. Hydro Industries, already operating in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, hopes to bring similar solutions back home to tackle water pollution challenges in Wales, particularly from the country’s legacy mining sites.
As the new plant in Ecuador begins operations, it marks a new chapter in Welsh technological innovation, proving that Wales is a key player in solving the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
