DuPont Water Solutions: Safer, cleaner drinking water for communities

Today we hear from Sonia Vila, Application Development Manager at DuPont Water Solutions about how they help make drinking water safer and cleaner for homes and communities; and help industries and markets to operate more effectively, efficiently, and sustainably whilst making water-scarcity challenges more manageable.

Tell us about DuPont Water Solutions?
As a global leader in purification and speciality-separation technologies, we provide state-of-the-art membrane science and ion exchange solutions that help make drinking water safer and cleaner for homes and communities; help industries and markets operate more effectively, efficiently, and sustainably; and make water-scarcity challenges more manageable, wherever they arise. Helping to solve intractable water challenges: it’s our commitment. Following through with the broadest, proven, end-to-end portfolio of water-treatment and separation technologies so you can produce, purify, and extract some of the most commercially important products around the globe: it’s what we do best.

What inspired you to join the water/wastewater sector and tell us about your current role?
I joined the water business almost by chance, with my first job relating to water purification. Although I started in a completely different specialism than my current one, it was inspiring for me to understand the importance of the wastewater cycle and the subject of water and the critical role it plays in our lives touched deep into my heart. I took the opportunity to join a big company like Dow though for a role that had nothing to do with water….hydrocarbons. Over the years, I had several roles within different Dow businesses, but I will always remember one of my bosses who after recognising my passion for water would frequently joke that I was destined to someday go back to the water industry. And he was right…after 7 years working on hydrocarbons, I was eager to seize the chance to rejoin the water community, and here I am, 8 years later, still 100% dedicated to solving water challenges across the globe. Nowadays, I am proud to play a role in developing sustainable and innovative solutions to address water scarcity, as Application Development Manager in the Global Water Technology Center that DuPont Water Solutions has in Tarragona, Spain. It is exciting to see the positive impact my work has on family, friends and our wider communities, making water more accessible for current and future generations.

Do you feel that women are adequately represented in the water industry? If not, what are some of the ways we can make the workforce more representative?
Women are represented in the water industry and many other sectors. But, I strongly believe that the real question is if women are “equally” represented. And here is where there is still a long journey ahead in both our industry and many others… There has been a great deal of progress over the last few decades, and this is certainly encouraging. I am lucky to be in a company that is committed to enhancing diversity, inclusion and equity within its business, but unfortunately, it is not the same everywhere. In that sense, providing visibility, being more assertive, showcasing different role models, and demonstrating a balance between your professional career and personal life, is something that every one of us can and should be doing to drive further progress. Far too often we are the ones who demand too much of ourselves and want to be perfect in everything we do. Not to mention, we judge ourselves too severely, expecting far too much of ourselves. But even putting that aside, it is important to accept that each of us has our own success formula and we should not always be comparing ourselves to others or trying to be perfect in everything we do. This change in mindset will help us overcome our own biases and end the constant judgement that women face every single day. Ultimately, we need to recognize that we are all different and this is the true source of our value. We all have to learn to see our accomplishments, and these should always be celebrated.

What are the benefits of having a clear diversity, equity, and inclusion company policy and does DuPont Water Soutions have one?
Diversity, equity and inclusion equip a business to adapt to new circumstances, allowing it to rapidly implement different working methodologies while providing enhanced flexibility to acquire new skills based on market trends. It’s a ready-made strategy to make a real difference and these are simply the baseline of benefits for every business! Of course, the formula cannot be taken for granted, often requiring adjustments, significant effort to explore different options and a cultural shift across the whole organization to recognise that change is needed. But enhancing the balance between different profiles in a team can change the fortunes of a company. Another important and key point is making this diversity, equity and inclusion visible to others, encouraging others to drive forward progress in our industry and beyond.

Yes, we have a diversity, equity, and inclusion company policy. I am glad to be part of a balanced team of both men and women. I recognise the strengths and positive skills and attitudes in all of them, with everyone bringing something valuable to the table. Respect, empathy and a willingness to perform their roles with passion and pride is something that is a common factor. We are incredibly privileged to belong to the water industry where we are helping communities thrive by tackling water scarcity around the globe. That fact removes non-healthy competition and brings us together to achieve our common goals. It is not important if we are men or women, ultimately we are all human beings looking for a better world. We all need to embrace and increase the visibility of the enriched culture and immense power of diverse teams.

What steps are you taking to encourage women’s growth within DuPont Water Solutions?
As part of the DuPont Water Solutions task force, I promote STEM awareness programs to empower and encourage young women to study STEM careers, not specifically in the water industry, but in any type of environment. The idea is to show them different role models and demonstrate the wide range of professional careers they could embark on. This is an inspiring program that allows future generations to learn directly from a friendly face, providing opportunities to learn about different vocations and develop a deeper understanding of what type of jobs they could have access to in the future. The future is full of unknowns, but that is what makes it so exciting, having the opportunity to combine science, engineering and human ingenuity to overcome new challenges. This is incredibly inspiring for me, providing the motivation to continue pushing and bring the new horizon a little bit closer, ensuring I play my part in realizing our new future.

What are your hopes for the future of women in the water/wastewater sector?
As I said, none of us knows exactly what lies ahead, but we have the incredible opportunity to combine water science, engineering and the power of our minds to tackle whatever challenges await. We all have a part to play, harnessing our different abilities to create a better world, using diversity to our advantage as we strive to overcome water scarcity. We must never give up. No project or initiative is too small or undeserving of your efforts if you are passionate about it. It is through our tenacity and collective efforts that we will thrive. It is important that we remember even the smallest achievement helps you grow. For me this mindset is important and I hope you share it too.