Hidra is committed to the enrichment of value chains in the water service sector, with special references to water resources and environment, in conjunction with its suppliers, partners and clients. Established in 1992, Hidra had as one of the founding partners José Saldanha Matos. The main activities or business areas of the company focused on the development of studies and the design of water supply and distribution, wastewater collection and drainage systems wastewater treatment plants. Other activities, less central but associated with these, were the development of environmental impact assessment studies and hydrology and water resource planning.
In this first decade of the 21st century, the company has extended its repertoire of skills to include environmental audits, economical and financial feasibility studies, environmental evaluation studies and operation and maintenance planning of infrastructures. The company has developed its own “know-how” and has been a pioneer, in Portugal, in the development and divulgation of low cost sustainable sanitation, non-conventional drainage solutions and in the application and divulgation of dynamic simulation models to support the advance management of sanitation systems in urban areas.

José Saldanha Matos
José Saldanha Matos, managing partner of the company, is a specialist with relevant professional experience in sanitation, water resources and environment.
He has been working for more than 30 years, being responsible for more than 200 studies and projects. He is the editor of four books and more than 120 technical and scientific articles. In the last 10 years he has given technical and consulting support to the Central and Regional Administration and to the State business sector in some of the largest investments made in water supply and sanitation sector in Portugal.
Founder of the Sewer Systems & Processes Working Group of JCUD of IWA/IAHR, he wah its Vice-President and President between 2002 and 2005 and between 2005 and 2008. He has been a Fellow of the International Water Association (IWA) since 2010 and President of the European Water Association (EWA) between 2017 and 2019. He has been a full professor at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) since March 2008.
MISSION
Hidra’s main mission is to contribute, in articulation with providers, partners and clients, to the sustainable development of society, in the water, waste and environment domains. The company provides integrated solutions, from the economical, social and environmental perspective.
CONTACTS
Address: Av. Defensores Chaves, nº 31, 1º Esq.
1000-111 Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone: +351 213 521 366
Email: geral@hidra.pt