Quiport Corporation receives EPMAPS award for its commitment to water sustainability
Corporación Quiport has been awarded the It’s in Your Hands award by the Metropolitan Public Company for Potable Water and Sanitation of Quito (EPMAPS) in the Sustainable Infrastructure category. This recognition highlights the responsible management of water and wastewater treatment carried out by Quiport, which contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
The winning project presented by Quiport called Blue Governance includes the protection of two key water management areas for the airport: the Ponce Paluguillo Water Protection Reserve, where Quiport replenishes its water footprint in agreement with the Water Protection Fund (FONAG) and the airport’s rainwater reservoir, a 17-hectare infrastructure that prevents flooding and is home to 150 species of birds.
- Ponce Paluguillo Water Protection Reserve: Between 2022 and 2023, Quiport conducted a water risk analysis in the Ponce Paluguillo reserve, which supplies drinking water to Quito airport through the Paluguillo plant, located in the Papallacta integrated system. In 2023, Mariscal Sucre became the first airport in the country to offset its water footprint, through an agreement with FONAG. This agreement allows FONAG to invest in the protection of the Cerro Puntas-Itulcachi ecological corridor and in the sustainable development of the Iguiñaro community, where 20 families participate in agroecological initiatives that diversify their income and improve their quality of life.
The agreement also includes constant monitoring of the reserve, allowing the identification of threats and the observation of fauna species. This effort not only favors Quito’s water sustainability, but also contributes to mitigating climate change by capturing carbon in the moorland ecosystems.
- Airport rainwater reservoir: With an area of 17 hectares, the airport rainwater reservoir is a key infrastructure for adaptation to climate change. Capable of managing the volume of rainfall from storms with a return periodicity of 100 years, this work prevents flooding at the airport and facilitates coexistence with fauna. The reservoir is home to some 140 species of birds, both local and migratory, and strengthens the harmony between airport operations and nature, helping to mitigate operational risks.
Quiport reaffirms its commitment to preserving the environment and building a more sustainable airport. Responsible management of natural resources is a fundamental pillar in its strategy, promoting projects that promote the well-being of the community and care for the environment.