History

1867

In 1867, Compagnie des Eaux de Barcelone was created in Liège. This company supplied drinking water to towns close to Barcelona, now integrated in the city through the Aqueduct of Dos Rius. In the same way, in 1871, S.A. Empresa Concesionaria de Aguas Subterráneas del Río Llobregat was created.

1881

In 1881, Compagnie des Eaux de Barcelone was purchased by French capital, which constituted in Paris the Société Générale des Eaux de Barcelone.

1919

In 1919, Catalan investors purchased the French society, which was named Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona from then on.

1961

In 1961, S.A. Empresa Concesionaria de Aguas Subterráneas del Río Llobregat changed its name into Compañía Industrial del Llobregat.

The Centro de Estudios e Investigación del Medio Ambiente was created to contribute to the knowledge, research and dissemination of issues related to the complete water cycle.

1975

In 1975 Compañía Industrial del Llobregat registered another change of name and also changed its articles of association in order to adapt the company to its functions. It became Corporación Financiera Agbar until 1983. At this date, its name remained fixed as Corporación Agbar. It included varying economic sectors as far apart from each other as drinking water supply, sewerage or construction. That was the beginning of what was further on known as Agbar Group.

1985

In 1985, Aguas de Barcelona constituted the Holding Aplicaciones del Agua S.A.

1992

In 1992, Agbar absorbed Corporación Agbar and Aplicaciones del Agua. All the companies came to be a managing group of public services. The Agbar Group extended its services in new sectors such as health care, technical inspection of vehicles and tax collection.

1997

In 1997 Agbar was awarded the management of Hospital de Alzira and pioneered the first experience of private management of public health.

1999

In 1999 the Agbar Group entered the complete water cycle market in Chile led by Emos, which became in 2001 Aguas Andinas and which renders service to more than 5 million inhabitants.

2000

Started in the business of environmental control of vehicles in the USA.

2001

Expanded its activities in the business of vehicle services in China.

2002

In 2002 Applus+ was created, a global certification company of the Group which has developed as a certification body from the business of automobiles and inspection to other sectors.

2003

In 2003 the Agbar Group, through an agreement with Emte, consolidated its position amongst the five leading Spanish groups in the areas of installations, technology, automation systems and industrial maintenance.

2004

In 2004 the Agbar Museum was opened, following an initiative of the Agbar Foundation, with the objective of offering a very special industrial heritage from which to project the values associated to the water culture and encourage favourable attitudes towards water and the knowledge of it.

2005

The agreement reached between the Agbar Group and Unión Fenosa for the absorption of Soluziona Quality and Environment by Applus+ led to the creation of the greatest group of inspection, certification and technological services in Spain.