- Almoradí City Council approves a motion to uphold current Tajo-Segura water transfer exploitation rules.
- The motion was presented by the Popular Party (PP) but rejected by PSOE and Izquierda Unida (IU).
- Proposed cuts to water volumes could reduce water availability by 40% by 2027, affecting agriculture and employment in Vega Baja.
- City leaders warn of potential losses: €61 million in agricultural production and over 1,700 direct jobs lost in Alicante province.
- Almoradí demands the Spanish Government maintain existing water transfer rules while developing a balanced National Hydrological Plan.
Almoradí pushes to Maintain Current Water Transfer Rules of Tajo-Segura
The City Council of Almoradí has taken a firm stance in defending the vital water infrastructure of the Tajo-segura Transfer, a key water conduit supporting agriculture, employment, and the economy of the Vega Baja region. The Popular Party (PP) successfully presented a motion urging the maintenance of the existing exploitation rules governing this transfer, despite opposition from the PSOE and Izquierda Unida (IU) parties.
Controversial Cuts to Water Supply Evoke Strong Reactions
The motion addresses the alarming new rules proposed by Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, which intend to reduce the transference of water volumes by up to 40% by 2027. According to city officials, these reductions lack a strong technical basis and threaten to devastate local agriculture and employment.
luciano Martínez, PP spokesperson, explained:
“These decisions have been made without consensus or solid technical support, relying instead on partial reports and political motivations. They will severely impact irrigation, water supply, and jobs throughout the comarca.”
Economic and Employment Impact Highlighted by City Leaders
María Gómez, mayor of Almoradí and president of the local PP chapter, emphasized the dire consequences of the reform:
- €61 million expected loss in agricultural output in Alicante province.
- Over 1,700 direct agricultural jobs at risk.
- Total economic contraction could exceed €198 million with more than 5,700 jobs affected across sectors.
She criticized the opposition parties’ vote as “a decision against the interests of irrigators and the residents of our locality,” underscoring the urgent need to protect the region’s water resources.
Almoradí Calls for a Balanced National Water Strategy
With this approved motion,Almoradí demands that the Spanish Government:
- Maintain the current rules of exploitation of the tajo-Segura Transfer water until a comprehensive National Hydrological Plan is developed.
- Ensure the National Hydrological Plan balances ecological needs with economic and agricultural advancement in southeastern Spain.
Background: Why the Tajo-Segura Transfer Matters
The Tajo-Segura transfer is a critical infrastructure channeling water from the Tagus River (Tajo) basin to the Segura River basin.It supports irrigated agriculture in the dry southeast of Spain,which is a major source of fruits and vegetables for the national and export markets. Any reduction in the volume of transferred water could have widespread economic and social repercussions.
| Aspect | Current Situation | Proposed Changes by 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Water volume transferred | 100% (baseline) | Reduced by up to 40% |
| Agricultural output (Alicante province) | Stable | Loss of €61 million |
| direct agricultural jobs | Steady | Loss of 1,700+ jobs |
| Overall economic impact (region) | Strong | Contraction over €198 million, 5,700+ jobs lost |
Conclusion
The recent vote in Almoradí’s City Council highlights the increasing tensions surrounding water management policies in Spain. While ecological concerns motivate some changes, local stakeholders in the Vega Baja region warn of severe economic consequences if reductions in the Tajo-Segura Transfer are implemented without adequate technical backing or consensus.
as the debate continues, the focus remains on crafting policies that adequately balance environmental sustainability with economic vitality, especially in water-dependent agricultural regions of southeastern Spain.
Source: Diario de la Vega – Almoradí approves motion to maintain current Tajo-Segura Transfer rules