Spain's Water Resource Management and Usage
Water Use and Management in Spain
The use of water resources has a long tradition in Spain. From Roman constructions (water supply, introduction of irrigation, etc.) to the Arabs who implemented a water culture in the service of agriculture. This line of thought culminated with the National Public Works Plan of 1933, which included the construction of dams, reservoirs, and water transfers, continuing into the 1960s.
Currently, water demand in Spain exceeds 30,000 hm3, distributed across the following applications:
Urban and Industrial Supplies
In countries like ours, consumption exceeds 300 liters/inhabitant/day, representing 14% of the total.
Agricultural Uses
The uneven distribution of rainfall necessitates irrigation for many crops. This requires diversion works, pipes, and the construction of canals and ditches. This sector accounts for a very high percentage (79%) of the total.
Water is also used for energy generation (hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power), as well as recreational purposes.
Water shortages, excessive consumption, rising demand, misuse, and pollution highlight the fragility of the traditional model of water use and management in Spain, causing social, territorial, and political tensions. Consequently, several key legislative measures were enacted:
- The Water Act in 1985.
- The National Water Plan (amended in 2005) presented in 1993.
- The White Paper on Water in 1998.
These initiatives aim to establish a comprehensive water policy, planning at the state and river basin levels for the rational and balanced use of water resources. Considering water as a scarce commodity, water management is an increasing problem projected to affect different communities through transfers or urban pressures that degrade water resources, which is more alarming in some areas than others.
Water and Environment
The quality of our river resources is worrying due to discharges with low oxygen levels. Dumping harms the quality of river water and many springs, rendering them unfit for consumption. The problem is acute in areas with low rainfall.
Environmental Degradation
In many reservoirs, this has led to the development of algae that consume oxygen in the water, affecting water quality and fauna. The optical conditions and smell of many channels are repellent. Fish populations are declining, and many lakes have disappeared or been reduced.
Nitrate pollution from excess agricultural fertilizers has affected some aquifers. Water pollution is one of the biggest future challenges.