1. Purpose and scope
This Cookie Policy explains clearly and precisely how cookies and similar technologies are used on the website www.waterbenchmarks.ai (the “Website”), in accordance with:
- Article 22.2 of Spanish Law 34/2002 on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce (LSSI-CE).
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018 (LOPDGDD).
- The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) Cookie Guide, July 2023.
2. Controller
Blumind Technologies, S.L. (“Blumind”) is responsible for the use of cookies and similar technologies on the Website, operated under the “Water Benchmarks” brand. Blumind ensures that information is collected and processed in line with the principles of lawfulness, fairness and transparency set out in Article 5 of the GDPR.
3. What are cookies and similar technologies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on a user’s device (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) when they visit. They help remember preferences or maintain essential functionality during browsing.
In addition to cookies, the Website uses other local browser storage technologies (localStorage and sessionStorage) for strictly functional purposes. For transparency, this policy describes them as well, in line with the AEPD guidance on cookies and similar storage devices.
4. Types of cookies
Under the AEPD Guide (July 2023), cookies are classified by purpose as follows:
- Strictly necessary / technical: enable navigation and use of the Website’s features and services.
- Preference / personalisation: remember user choices (for example, language or appearance).
- Analytics: measure traffic and analyse how the Website is used.
- Advertising / marketing: store information about user behaviour for advertising purposes.
As of the date of this policy, the Website does not use analytics, advertising or profiling cookies, nor third-party audience measurement tools (such as Google Analytics, Plausible, Hotjar or similar).
5. Cookies in use
Following an audit of the Website, the following cookie has been identified:
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NEXT_LOCALE |
Water Benchmarks (Blumind Technologies, S.L.) | Remember the language selected by the user (English or Spanish) to keep navigation consistent and display localised content. | 1 year | Technical / exempt |
This cookie is strictly necessary to provide the service explicitly requested by the user (language selection) under Article 22.2 LSSI-CE and therefore does not require prior consent.
6. Local browser storage
The Website also uses local storage on the user’s device. This data is not automatically sent to the server and is limited to functional purposes:
6.1. Persistent storage (localStorage)
| Key | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
theme |
Water Benchmarks | Remember the Website appearance preference (light, dark or system default). | Persistent until manually deleted by the user | Preference / exempt |
wb_cookie_consent |
Water Benchmarks | Remember that the user has dismissed the informational notice about cookies and similar technologies. | Persistent until manually deleted by the user | Technical / exempt |
6.2. Session storage (sessionStorage)
| Key | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
wb_download_gate_* |
Water Benchmarks | During the browsing session, remember that the user has already completed the download form for a specific resource (for example, a PDF report), so it is not shown again on the same visit. | Session (deleted when the tab or browser is closed) | Technical / exempt |
None of these keys store personally identifiable data on their own. Personal data submitted through forms (sign-up, downloads, model submissions, etc.) is processed under the Privacy Policy.
7. Third-party cookies or technologies
As of the date of this policy, the Website does not install third-party cookies for advertising, analytics or tracking.
The Website may be hosted on cloud infrastructure providers that process technical connection data (IP addresses, server logs, security measures) as processors or, where applicable, independent controllers for hosting services. Such processing is limited to operating, securing and delivering the Website.
8. Legal basis
The use of the cookies and technologies described is based on:
- Article 22.2 LSSI-CE: strictly necessary technical cookies for the service requested by the user.
- Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest): ensuring the functionality, accessibility and security of the Website, including language and appearance preferences.
- Transparency principle (Articles 12 and 13 GDPR): information made available through this policy, the first-visit notice and the permanent link in the footer.
9. User information and consent
Because all cookies and similar technologies used as of the date of this policy are exempt from consent, the Website does not display an accept/reject banner for non-exempt cookies.
Instead, in application of the transparency principle, an informational notice is shown on the first visit, with links to this Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy. Dismissing the notice does not install any additional cookies beyond those described here.
If non-exempt cookies are introduced in the future (for example, analytics or third-party tools), Blumind will update this policy and deploy a consent mechanism in line with the AEPD Cookie Guide (July 2023) and EDPB Guidelines 5/2020 on consent.
10. Management and deletion
Users can allow, block or delete cookies installed on their device through their browser settings. Local storage (localStorage and sessionStorage) can also be cleared via browser privacy settings or developer tools.
Links to cookie settings in common browsers:
Blocking or deleting certain cookies or local storage may affect Website functionality (for example, language, visual theme or the download experience).
11. Relationship with the Privacy Policy
Personal data submitted through Website forms is governed by the Privacy Policy, independently of the cookies and similar technologies described in this document.
12. Updates to this Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy will be reviewed annually or promptly when changes occur to the cookies or technologies used, third-party integrations or applicable law. Any update will be published on the Website and replace the previous version.
Last updated: 20 June 2026