Upwater® offers wastewater treatment plant managers and operators real-time monitoring of performance indicators, accurate predictions, and optimized operational instructions. Built on proprietary models that simulate the biological, chemical, and physical processes of wastewater and organic waste treatment, this platform delivers significant improvements in pollutant removal, reduction of operational costs, and generation of new revenue streams, such as green energy production and waste valorization. Key benefits include preventive diagnostics and maintenance, centralized asset management and optimization, strategic planning, and technical capacity building of operational teams.
AquaInSilico Lda is a Portugal-based biotechnology company and spin-off from NOVA University Lisbon. The company specializes in digitalizing wastewater treatment through its proprietary platform, Upwater®. This solution utilizes sophisticated mathematical models, artificial intelligence, and deep expertise in bioengineering to monitor and predict microbial performance in real-time. By simulating various operational scenarios, the software enables municipal and industrial wastewater facilities to optimize aeration, chemical dosage, and energy consumption. The platform also assists in identifying root causes of process disturbances before they escalate, providing actionable, data-driven strategies for improved efficiency and environmental sustainability.
For industrial and municipal clients, AquaInSilico addresses challenges related to rising operational costs and environmental regulatory compliance. By facilitating more precise control of biological and chemical processes, the technology helps reduce expenses—such as aeration energy and chemical precipitants—while supporting circular economy initiatives, including the valorization and recovery of nutrients, biogas, and other bio-based products from waste. The company has demonstrated the effectiveness of its digital tools through collaborative pilot projects with entities such as Bondalti Water and ETSA, proving its adaptability across complex industrial settings, from food processing to animal by-product transformation.