Summary
- UPA and ASAJA warn desalination plants in Águilas and Torrevieja cannot replace water from the Tajo-Segura transfer.
- Government of Spain has tendered the preliminary projects for two new desalination plants.
- ASAJA emphasizes desalinated water will complement, not substitute, transfer water due to cost and quality differences.
- UPA calls for subsidies on desalinated water to ensure affordability for farmers.
- UPA stresses the need for better wastewater treatment upstream to improve river water quality.
New Desalination plants in Murcia: Complementary Solution, Not a Replacement for the Tajo-Segura Transfer
The ongoing water supply challenges in southeastern Spain have prompted the Spanish Government to advance plans for two new desalination plants in Águilas and Torrevieja. While these projects are hailed as positive developments by key agricultural organizations, both the Unión de Pequeños Agricultores (UPA) and ASAJA caution against viewing desalinated water as a full alternative to the vital Tajo-Segura water transfer.
Government Greenlights Preliminary Projects for Desalination Plants
This week, the spanish Government has announced the launch of the tender for the preliminary projects of two new desalination plants strategically located in the Murcia region. These facilities aim to enhance local water security, supporting the agricultural sector, which is heavily dependent on reliable irrigation resources.
Why Desalination can’t Replace the Tajo-Segura Transfer
ASAJA’s Secretary General Alfonso Gálvez explains that although the new desalination plants will increase water availability, they cannot replace the water sourced from the Tajo-Segura transfer due to both cost and water quality differences. Desalinated water tends to be more expensive and has different mineral compositions, factors that impact agricultural use significantly.
“These plants serve as a complement to the transfer water, not as a substitute,” says Gálvez, highlighting the importance of maintaining the transfer while building resilience through diversified water sources.
UPA: Subsidize Desalinated Water, But Maintain the Transfer
Marcos Alarcón, Secretary General of UPA in the Region of Murcia, calls the tender an encouraging step but stresses,
“Prices for desalinated water need to be subsidized similarly to existing plants to make them affordable for farmers.”
He further emphasizes that the desalination projects should not be interpreted as a reason to reduce the water volumes from the Tajo-Segura transfer, which remains indispensable for local agriculture.
Improving River Water Quality: An Urgent Task Upstream
UPA also points to the need for better wastewater treatment practices in municipalities along the Tajo River in Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid. As Alarcón notes,
“The previous minimum flows of the Tajo were already enough. The priority now should be for upstream towns to improve their wastewater treatment so the river carries good quality water.”
This approach aims to secure a enduring water source that benefits both the surroundings and the end users, primarily farmers in Murcia and Alicante.
What This Means for Murcia’s Agriculture
- Water Security: Desalination plants will bolster available water but won’t replace vital transfers from the Tajo River.
- Cost Considerations: Subsidies critical to keep desalinated water affordable for irrigation.
- Environmental Duty: Better wastewater treatment upstream essential for river health and sustainable water management.
- Complementary Strategies: Combining desalination and water transfers offers a more resilient supply system for farmers.
Looking Ahead
The addition of the Águilas and Torrevieja desalination plants represents an important stride in Spain’s multifaceted strategy to address water scarcity amid climatic and demographic pressures. Though, clear voices within the agricultural sector urge policymakers to continue prioritizing the protection of the Tajo-Segura transfer system while investing in water infrastructure diversification and environmental improvements upstream.
As the projects move forward, transparency, fair pricing, and environmental safeguards will be crucial to ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity in southeastern Spain.
| Aspect | Desalination plants | Tajo-Segura Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Water Quality | High salinity, requires treatment | Good quality, natural river water |
| Cost | Expensive, requires subsidies | Cheaper for farmers |
| Dependence | Complementary source | Main irrigation water source |
| Environmental Impact | Energy-intensive | Needs better wastewater upstream |
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