Madrid/Seville, (EFE) groundwater and wells that supply the coastal area of Matalascañas with surface water.
The Council of Ministers has approved a royal decree-law with measures to deal with the drought in Spain and increase the availability of water resources. Among which is raising the use of reused water in populations to 20% and that the central government assume hydraulic works in Catalonia, Andalusia and Levante.
“We assume works that correspond to other autonomous administrations and that have not been put into practice and for which the autonomous administrations in territories especially affected by the drought, such as Catalonia and Andalusia, have asked us for help”, stressed the Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, at the press conference after the council.
Thus, declared of general interest, the central State will assume the construction of desalination plants in Catalonia –a plant in Tordera, at a cost of 220 million–, in Malaga and Almería –200 million–, as well as the intensification of reuse in Alicante, with an investment of 224 million.
It is “obvious” that these infrastructures will not be operational this summer. But it is also “obvious” that the episodes of drought are going to be increasingly intense and serious due to climate change. And a special commitment is required “that goes beyond the reading that we can make of the powers of the State and the autonomous communities”, said the third vice president of the Government.
Reduce the pressure on Doñana
“It is key that we can accompany those who have asked us for support,” according to Ribera. That he has explained that they have also approved interventions to reduce the pressure on the aquifers that feed Doñana.
Thus, the groundwater pumps that supply the Matalascañas conurbation will be replaced by surface water from the Palos water treatment plant –Cuenca del Tinto, Odiel and Piedras–. And the transfer of 3 cubic hectometres (Hm3) per year has been approved.
Both the works necessary to carry out this transfer and to supply the municipality will be assumed by the central State, according to Ribera. He has added that they are maintaining a bilateral technical framework with the Water Directorate of the Junta de Andalucía. With fortnightly meetings, in which the effect of the drought and the planning of the actions are addressed.
“Together with these investments, we wanted to anticipate very significant works that were included in the Segura, Júcar and Tagus hydrological plans.” The direct management entrustment will be entrusted to the State Water Society of the Mediterranean Basins (Acuamed).
This company has also received the green light to tender for the construction of new desalination plants powered by photovoltaic solar parks. Within the framework of its second Direct Management Agreement, endowed with 600 million euros.
Support to irrigators
In support of irrigators and to prevent them from suffering a reduction in their water supply in 2023, an exemption will be applied to the regulation fee. And to the rate of use of water.
This exemption will be 50% if the endowment decrease is from 40% to 60%, and 100% if it exceeds that 60%.
The indirect beneficiaries of the regulation works of the Guadalquivir basin are directly exempt from 50% of said quotas.
Increase the volume of reused water by 150%
In line with community regulations, the royal decree modifies the Water Law to promote the reuse of urban water. So that these go from 10 to 20% of the volume of water resources destined to supply populations.
Thus, the objective is to go from the current 400 Hm3 per year to close to 1,000 Hm3 per year in 2027. This will imply an increase of 150%.
According to the Executive, the measures contemplated in the royal decree-law represent an investment of 2,190 million euros. To face drought and increase the availability of water resources. Of which 1,400 million will be contributed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. EFE