FCM Santander case
Implementation of the PoMM Module in the Pilot Sites – Santander (ES)
Project: D4Runoff – Implementation of the Policy Making Module in the Pilot Sites – Santander (ES) Work Package: WP5 – Testing and validation in case studies Task: T5.4 – Implementation of the AI-assisted platform Authors: A. Rodeghiero, P. Santinello, R. Pizzuti (KLINK Srl) Generated report session: 4LXAyHSiKh Date: 2025-12-03 17:49
Project context
The Policy Making Module (PoMM) platform, developed by D4Runoff partner KLINK Srl, is an exploratory decision-analysis and simulation system designed to support policymaking through web-based tools and simulations.
It is part of the AI-Assisted urban runoff management platform of the D4Runoff project.
- Project website: d4runoff.eu
- PoMM user documentation: Main Page
- PoMM walkthrough video: Video tutorial
This page documents the user experiment settings, context modelling, intervention design, and simulation outcomes for the Santander pilot case.
Challenge definition
The experiment session reflects the Santander pilot case for policy development towards compliance with the recast Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD).
The challenge set by the key stakeholders — the Municipality of Santander and the concessionaire of water and wastewater management services, FCC Aqualia — was:
What intervention in the current policy-making and decision-making process would encourage and facilitate the development of a minimalist (“do the minimum” / current conditions) emerging pollutants management plan for urban runoff that includes NBS, inspired by compliance with the EU Directive on urban wastewater treatment, and plausible given the current state of affairs?
Unity of analysis, NBS and CEC
Selected Region
- Name: Cantabria
- ID: ES130
Selected LAU
- Name: Santander
- Code: 39075
Selected Natural Based Solution
- ID: Not applicable
- Name: Not applicable
- Description: No NBS selected for this analysis.
Selected Contaminant of Emerging Concern
- Compound Name: Not applicable
- Family: Not applicable
- Compound: Not applicable
- CAS: Not applicable
Intermediate notes
Unity of analysis
The unit of analysis corresponds to the municipality of Santander. All decision-making and operational processes considered in the experiment take place within this perimeter.
Even in the case of the treatment plant, which falls under regional jurisdiction, the operational field considered is that of the city of Santander.
In this experiment, neither target contaminants nor corresponding NBS mitigation solutions were selected, because the objective is to define and explore the experimental process and path towards compliance with the new directive on urban wastewater treatment.
Decision process flow
The process examined is described according to the BPMN standard.
In the Santander context, compliance with the new UWWTD requires the design of a provisional and experimental regulatory hypothesis for developing approximation policies. Therefore, the decision process flow outlined is itself an intervention design.
Due to its project nature, the current initial values of the variables were not available and were therefore assigned a minimum value (different from zero for technical reasons).
The process is structured in three phases:
- Politico-legal verification
- Technical-political project
- Experimentation and evaluation
The Ayuntamiento de Santander (Concejalía de Medio Ambiente) takes the political and technical lead and drives the process through the following steps:
- Define strategic framework governance
- Agenda setting
- Creation of a scientific-technical committee
- Definition of objectives
- Request for verifications
- Design pilot plan and normative framework
- Consultation with managers
- Definition of monitoring directives
- Pilot guidelines
- Pilot execution and monitoring
- Public call
- Implementation
- Testing period
- Monitoring
- Final evaluation and policy update
- Political evaluation
- Implementation evaluation
- Policy adaptation
The Expert Group is called to propose priority CECs and an NBS abacus.
Operational stakeholders — Gestor EDAR, Gestor Servicio Idrico, and Gestor de viabilidad/parques — are involved in impact analysis and cost-benefit evaluation.
Most important entities
The following variables were selected for the experiment:
- Competencia de los expertos (Amplitud y especialización de los conocimientos)
- Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía
- Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD
- Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII
- Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua
- Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion
- Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN
- Impacto de los proyectos apruebados
- Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios
- Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs
- Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios
- Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura
- Beneficios-costos para el municipio
- Importancia del tema escorrentía urbana CEs-SbN y UWWTD en la agenda política
- Incremento de capacidad del sistema
- Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida
- Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional
- Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD
- Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII
- Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo
- Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas
- Calidad del monitoreo CEs
- Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR
- Indice de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de riesgo
- Nivel de consenso político
- Impacto positivo sobre CSO
- Beneficios-costes total Otros Servicios
- Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil
- Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion
Cognitive Map Information
This section lists the main concepts included in the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM).
| Concept | Notes |
|---|---|
| Competencia de los expertos (Amplitud y especialización de los conocimientos) | The level of specialized technical knowledge and breadth of expertise possessed by the scientists and professionals engaged in the Group of experts. |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía | The quantity and significance of initiatives promoted through the provisional regulation that actively involve local residents in their planning or implementation phases. |
| Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | The knowledge, guidelines and strategic directions required to bring the system into compliance with the European Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | The financial impact on the capital and operational expenditures borne by the manager of the Integrated Sewerage System. |
| Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | The general improvement in the ecological and chemical status of the receiving water bodies resulting from the interventions. |
| Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | The overall economic efficiency ratio comparing benefits gained versus costs incurred by the wastewater treatment plant. |
| Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | The speed and efficiency of the administrative procedures required to approve and license Nature-based Solutions under the provisional regulations. |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | The tangible benefits and outcomes realized from projects that have successfully passed the approval stage. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | The financial repercussions on the budgets of other municipal departments or services caused by water management activities and approved projects. |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | Metrics that evaluate how well green infrastructure performs across multiple goals simultaneously, such as flood control, drought mitigation, and contaminant removal. |
| Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | The day-to-day functional effects or disruptions that water management operations and approved projects have on other city services. |
| Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | The degree to which the proposed water-management strategy aligns with current laws and anticipated future regulations. |
| Beneficios-costos para el municipio | The net economic value or return on investment derived by the local government from the implemented initiatives. |
| Importancia del tema escorrentía urbana CEs-SbN y UWWTD en la agenda política | The priority level that policymakers assign to issues regarding urban runoff, emerging contaminants, and wastewater directive constraints. |
| Incremento de capacidad del sistema | The net gain in the total volume of water or pollutant load that the infrastructure can successfully handle. |
| Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | The specific improvement in the purity of the treated effluent released from the treatment plant into the environment. |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | The effectiveness of communication and cooperation between different government agencies and institutions involved in water governance. |
| Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD | The extent to which the proposed provisional regulation adheres to broader environmental protection and public health standards set by regional and national authorities. |
| Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | The economic performance specifically for the entity responsible for managing the sewer network. |
| Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | The accuracy with which Nature-based Solutions are located in areas identified as high-risk for flooding or contamination. |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | The volume and effect of privately funded green infrastructure projects officially authorized by the municipality. |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | The precision and reliability of the monitoring systems used to detect and track emerging contaminants in the water. |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | The reduction in strain on the treatment plant, reducing also the size of improvements needed to upgrade treatment technologies. |
| Nivel de consenso político | The degree of agreement and unity among different political factions regarding the proposed runoff-water management strategies. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | The effectiveness of the system in reducing combined sewer overflows during storms. |
| Beneficios-costes total Otros Servicios | The economic balance for other auxiliary municipal services indirectly affected by runoff-water management decisions and projects. |
| Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | The level of public understanding and active support from residents and NGOs for runoff-water management plans and projects. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | The direct influence of runoff-management decisions and projects on the construction and running costs of the wastewater treatment plant. |
Cognitive map design
This image represents the cognitive map designed for the experiment.
Relationships between entities
| Source | Target | Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Competencia de los expertos (Amplitud y especialización de los conocimientos) | Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | 1 |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía | Nivel de consenso político | 0.5 |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía | Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | 0.67 |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía | Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | 0.53 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | 0.4 |
| Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | 0.62 |
| Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.6 |
| Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | 1 |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 0.45 |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.2 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.57 |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.47 |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | 0.43 |
| Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | 0.58 |
| Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 1 |
| Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 1 |
| Importancia del tema escorrentía urbana CEs-SbN y UWWTD en la agenda política | Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | 1 |
| Incremento de capacidad del sistema | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.68 |
| Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | 0.68 |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD | 1 |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 1 |
| Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD | Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | 1 |
| Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.7 |
| Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | 1 |
| Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | 0.88 |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 0.6 |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | 0.62 |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | 0.57 |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | 0.6 |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | 0.63 |
| Nivel de consenso político | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | 1 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | 1 |
| Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | Nivel de consenso político | 0.37 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | 0.81 |
Motivation of relationships
| Source Concept | Target Concept | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | The economic efficiency of the WWTP directly contributes to the overall economic benefit of the municipality. |
| Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | The efficiency of the sewer infrastructure manager contributes strongly to the municipality's economic balance. |
| Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | A positive economic balance is a prerequisite for defining valid adjustments to comply with the directive. |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD | Strong cooperation between institutions helps ensure compliance with environmental and health policies. |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | High-quality collaboration is essential to agree on how to implement UWWTD adjustments. |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | Better monitoring allows better treatment management, improving effluent quality. |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | General water quality improves when monitoring systems are robust. |
| Competencia de los expertos | Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | Knowledgeable experts ensure that NBS are located correctly according to risk zones. |
| Concienciación ciudadana | Nivel de consenso político | Public support helps build political consensus. |
| Cumplimiento con las políticas | Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión | Adhering to high-level policies ensures that the management plan aligns with present and future regulations. |
| Eficacia del proceso de permisos SbN | Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN | Efficient permits help unlock private investments in NBS. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | Managing operational and capital costs is the main driver of WWTP cost-benefit performance. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | Operational costs influence the manager's cost-benefit balance. |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Costs in other services also contribute to the municipality's economic equation. |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Approved projects provide a direct economic benefit to the municipality. |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | Approved projects moderately increase system capacity. |
| Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | Operational impacts on other services drive associated financial costs. |
| Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | Cleaner discharged water helps the management plan meet regulatory targets. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | Reducing sewer overflows strongly improves WWTP cost-benefit. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | Reducing overflows has a maximum impact on optimizing WWTP expenses. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | Reducing overflows also optimizes the sewer manager's expenses. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | Preventing overflows is highly effective in improving discharged water quality. |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | Preventing overflows frees significant treatment-plant capacity. |
| Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | Better water quality improves the perceived value and economics of the sewer manager. |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | More available capacity improves plant economic efficiency. |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | Freeing up plant load directly increases system capacity. |
| Importancia del tema en la agenda política | Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | When the issue becomes a political priority, institutions are pushed to collaborate more effectively. |
| Incremento de capacidad del sistema | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Higher capacity yields better economic returns for the city. |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN | Beneficios-costos para el municipio | Multi-purpose green solutions create economic value. |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN | Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | Well-defined functionality metrics make the permitting process smoother. |
| Nivel de consenso político | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | Political agreement is a requirement for finalizing UWWTD guidelines. |
| Nivel de correspondencia SbN con mapas | Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | Projects aligned with risk maps are more easily permitted. |
| Nivel de correspondencia SbN con mapas | Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | Proper siting of SbN affects interactions with other city services. |
| Nivel de cumplimiento del plan | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | A compliant plan is the basis for final UWWTD adjustment indications. |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN | Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | More private investments increase the impact of approved projects. |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | These investments also contribute significantly to system capacity. |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación ciudadana | Concienciación ciudadana | Participatory projects significantly raise citizen awareness and commitment. |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación ciudadana | Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | Citizen participation adds value to projects. |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación ciudadana | Nivel de consenso político | Successful participatory projects help build political consensus. |
Initial states
Initial States Configuration #1
| Entity | Initial Value |
|---|---|
| Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | 0.10 |
| Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | 0.10 |
| Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 0.00 |
| Calidad de la colaboracion interistitucional | 0.70 |
| Calidad del monitoreo CEs | 0.10 |
| Competencia de los expertos (Amplitud y especialización de los conocimientos) | 0.70 |
| Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | 0.10 |
| Cumplimiento con las políticas regionales y nacionales de MEDIO AMBIENTE y SALUD | 0.70 |
| Eficacia del proceso de concesión de permisos para SbN | 0.10 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | 0.10 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | 0.10 |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | 0.10 |
| Impacto de los proyectos apruebados | 0.10 |
| Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | 0.10 |
| Impacto positivo en la calidad del agua vertida | 0.10 |
| Impacto positivo sobre CSO | 0.10 |
| Impacto positivo sobre la calidad del agua | 0.10 |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | 0.10 |
| Importancia del tema escorrentía urbana CEs-SbN y UWWTD en la agenda política | 0.10 |
| Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 0.10 |
| Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 0.10 |
| Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | 0.10 |
| Nivel de consenso político | 0.10 |
| Nivel de correspondencia de las SbN con los mapas de zonas de riesgo | 0.10 |
| Nivel de cumplimiento del plan de gestión propuesto con la normativa vigente y futura | 0.10 |
| Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | 0.10 |
| Numero y impacto de proyectos con participación directa de la ciudadanía | 0.10 |
Simulation results
Do-nothing scenario
Because of the artificial initial condition, the chart comparing the initial and final states of the observable variables in a do-nothing scenario was not considered significant and is therefore not reported.
Simulation Run #1 – Interpretation
The simulation shows that, even in the baseline scenario, the system converges toward a structure in which:
- Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD becomes one of the strongest observables
- Beneficios-costos para el municipio grows substantially
- Incremento de capacidad del sistema stabilizes at a relevant level
- Several governance variables remain weak unless explicitly activated through interventions
Intervention results
Intervention details
| Intervention | Target Entity | Impact Value | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proyecto de ciencia ciudadana para el monitoreo de CEs | Calidad del monitoreo CEs | 0.81 | 0.73 |
| Proyecto de ciencia ciudadana para el monitoreo de CEs | Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | 0.36 | 0.73 |
| Proyecto de ciencia ciudadana para el monitoreo de CEs | Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 0.37 | 0.73 |
| Proyecto de ciencia ciudadana para el monitoreo de CEs | Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | 0.32 | 0.73 |
| Proyecto de ciencia ciudadana para el monitoreo de CEs | Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 0.35 | 0.73 |
| Incentivos para la construcción privada que adopta SbN en zonas críticas | Numero y impacto de inversiones SbN particulares autorizadas | 0.41 | 0.70 |
| Incentivos para la construcción privada que adopta SbN en zonas críticas | Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | 0.54 | 0.70 |
| Incentivos para la construcción privada que adopta SbN en zonas críticas | Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | 0.35 | 0.70 |
| Incentivos para la construcción privada que adopta SbN en zonas críticas | Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | 0.37 | 0.70 |
| Transformación de una zona verde pública en SnB asignada a los ciudadanos para su mantenimiento | Concienciación, compromiso y apoyo de los ciudadanos y las organizaciones de la sociedad civil | 0.41 | 0.69 |
| Transformación de una zona verde pública en SnB asignada a los ciudadanos para su mantenimiento | Impacto operativo sobre Otros servicios | 0.22 | 0.69 |
| Transformación de una zona verde pública en SnB asignada a los ciudadanos para su mantenimiento | Indices de multifuncionalidad SbN inundaciones, sequías, CEs | 0.23 | 0.69 |
| Transformación de una zona verde pública en SnB asignada a los ciudadanos para su mantenimiento | Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | 0.37 | 0.69 |
Comparison of interventions on key observables
| Observable | Citizen science monitoring | Private construction incentives with NBS | Public green area transformed into citizen-maintained NBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficios-costos para el municipio | 19.65% | 24.10% | 17.03% |
| Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD | 18.90% | 7.06% | 8.88% |
| Nivel de consenso político | 109.43% | 0.00% | 131.43% |
| Incremento de capacidad del sistema | 35.67% | 43.59% | 31.22% |
Main findings on interventions
1. Citizen science project for monitoring emerging contaminants
This intervention emerges as the most balanced and holistic scenario.
- Strong increase in political consensus (+109.43%)
- Relevant increase in system capacity (+35.67%)
- Improvement in municipal cost-benefit (+19.65%)
- Best contribution to UWWTD adjustment indications (+18.90%)
It appears especially effective in bridging technical data collection and social acceptance.
2. Incentives for private construction adopting NBS in critical zones
This is the strongest scenario in terms of hard infrastructure and economic performance.
- Highest increase in system capacity (+43.59%)
- Highest increase in municipal cost-benefit (+24.10%)
- Strong operational gains across the infrastructure chain
- No impact on political consensus
It is therefore the most technically efficient option, but weaker as a governance and policy-alignment lever.
3. Transformation of a public green zone into citizen-maintained NBS
This intervention performs best in terms of social and political cohesion.
- Highest increase in political consensus (+131.43%)
- Good contribution to municipal cost-benefit (+17.03%)
- Good increase in system capacity (+31.22%)
- Strong relief on treatment-plant load
This option is especially relevant for building community ownership and overcoming political gridlock.
Other observable impacts
| Observable | Citizen science monitoring | Private construction incentives | Citizen-maintained public green NBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficios-costes total EDAR Depuracion | 0.00% | 55.09% | 57.52% |
| Beneficios-costes total Gestor SII | 190.09% | 178.77% | 0.00% |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx EDAR Depuracion | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Gestor SII | 0.00% | 343.95% | 0.00% |
| Impacto CapEx OpEx Otros Servicios | 0.00% | 32.35% | 20.50% |
| Impacto positivo sobre la capacidad de carga EDAR | 0.00% | 231.48% | 242.20% |
Interpretation
- The citizen science intervention acts mainly on knowledge, monitoring, and governance, with strong benefits for the sewer-network manager but limited direct effects on plant capacity.
- The private NBS incentive intervention is the most comprehensive infrastructure booster, producing major improvements from the sewer network to final treatment.
- The public green-area transformation scenario provides the strongest direct relief on the treatment plant, even if it does not improve the intermediate sewer-network management metrics.
Final notes
Cognitive map
Overall, the model was constructed with compliance with the UWWTD and economic efficiency as ultimate goals, driven by technical performance and political-social factors.
The main political observable is Indicaciones para el ajuste UWWTD, which is influenced by:
- political consensus
- institutional collaboration
- regulatory compliance
- economic benefits for the municipality
Key drivers
The model highlights four main root drivers:
- Political driver: Importance of runoff/UWWTD in the political agenda
- Social driver: Projects with direct citizen participation
- Technical driver: Quality of monitoring of emerging contaminants
- Infrastructure driver: Positive impact on CSO
Nature of relationships
All weights in the matrix are positive, so the relationships are reinforcing.
This means that improvements in one area tend to generate improvements in connected areas.
Feedback loops
The model was intentionally designed without feedback loops at this stage, in order to facilitate maximum clarity in the initial co-modelling process.
As a result:
- The system does not contain vicious or virtuous cycles
- Effects flow in one direction only
- The model behaves as a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)
- The system is intended as a diagnostic / decision-support model rather than as a dynamic self-sustaining simulation
Backbone of the model
The longest causal chain in the model is the NBS Implementation chain:
Competence of Experts → Correspondence of NBS with Risk Maps → Efficacy of Permitting Process → Number and Impact of Authorized NBS Investments → Impact of Approved Projects → Increase in System Capacity → Cost-Benefit for Municipality → Indications for UWWTD Adjustment
This chain shows how technical expertise can ultimately translate into regulatory compliance.
Conclusions
The Santander pilot experiment suggests that different intervention types support different policy objectives:
- Citizen science monitoring is the most balanced intervention and the strongest in governance support.
- Private incentives for NBS are the most effective in infrastructure and economic performance.
- Citizen-managed public green NBS are the strongest in social legitimacy and political consensus.
Taken together, the results show that compliance-oriented policy design for urban runoff management can benefit from combining:
- technical evidence generation,
- private-sector activation,
- and citizen-centred stewardship models.
Disclaimer
This report has been automatically generated to track the experiment and contains only the information provided by the experimenter and its processing by the PoMM according to the rules defined in the User’s Manual.
The authors’ final editing and formatting did not alter the content of the notes and simulation.
PoMM and its authors are not responsible for how these notes are used.
However, documenting experiments is essential to ensure that all relevant information is available for sharing results with stakeholders.
This page is based on the automatically generated PoMM report for the Santander pilot case.
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