Summary
- The Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (MCT) has granted final technical approval to Project 03/25, involving construction of a new 65,000 m3 reservoir near the desalination plant in Torrevieja.
- The reservoir aims to improve regulation and distribution of desalinated water at Vistabella (Ac/Jacarilla).
- Project budget: €19,544,162.75 (including VAT).
- Environmental assessments confirm no impact on protected Natura 2000 areas or important species.
- Public details process completed; objections from landowners were studied and largely dismissed.
- The project complies with Spanish public contracts and environmental laws, and expropriation for the affected lands is declared necessary.
- Work includes new concrete reservoir, pipe connections, control facilities, electrical systems, and landscaping.
Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla Approves Major New Reservoir to Optimize Water Supply from Torrevieja Desalination
The Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (MCT) has officially approved the construction of a new large-scale water regulation reservoir designed to enhance distribution of water from the Torrevieja desalination plant. this significant infrastructure project, known as project 03/25, is set to be built at the Vistabella site near Ac/Jacarilla, with a total investment exceeding €19.5 million.
Project Overview: What the New Reservoir Entails
The primary goal of this initiative is to increase the water regulation capacity at the existing Vistabella Water Distribution Center, guaranteeing a more reliable and stable flow from the desalination plant.
- New reservoir size: 65,000 cubic meters.
- Structure: Semi-buried, reinforced concrete construction in two compartments, measuring approximately 126 x 95.7 meters with variable water depth between 5 and 5.5 meters.
- Water connectivity: Four large-diameter steel pipes (1,200 mm) connect the new reservoir to the existing intake pipelines.
- Outflow system: A 209-meter long 1,400 mm diameter pipeline linking output flows to existing conduits.
- Control facilities: Building enclosures for valvular operation on both the intake and outlet sides, plus a calibrated electromagnetic flow meter system.
- Overflow management: An 830-meter long reinforced concrete collector pipeline to manage excess water flows, discharging into the Estrecho ravine.
- electrical works: Connection to existing transformer,lighting,and automation for valves and measurement instruments.
- urbanization: Site landscaping includes the formation of a terraced earth storage area and revegetation to create new green space.
- Environmental adaptation: Measures to mitigate environmental impact have been incorporated.
Environmental and Legal Compliance
Complete environmental reviews conducted by the Valencian Community authorities confirm that the project site is free from any protected Natura 2000 zones or critical species habitats. furthermore, under the Law 21/2013 on Environmental Assessment, the project is exempt from mandatory environmental evaluation procedures after detailed analysis showed no significant impacts.
Additionally, the project satisfies the stringent requirements of the Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts and follows current regulations regarding construction safety, waste management, and public clarity.
Public Participation and Landowner Responses
The MCT carried out a public information phase in mid-2025, inviting affected landowners and stakeholders to express concerns or objections regarding the project’s impact on their properties.
| Property Owner | Alegation Summary | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Urbanizadora Villa Martín, S.A. | Questioned environmental process validity, information completeness, and project technical valuation. | Objections rejected after thorough examination; identification data corrected. |
| josé roch Vegara | Requested full expropriation citing land degradation; contested classification and proposed compensation. | Partial acceptance only regarding property identification; othre demands dismissed citing cadastral data. |
The MCT’s official response clarified that procedures strictly followed legal mandates, that no environmental process was overlooked, and that land expropriation is justified by the project’s public interest and hydraulic infrastructure priorities.
Next Steps: Execution and Tender Process
The final approval directs the initiation of tendering under open competitive procedures, with specific qualifications required for engineering contractors.
- Budget: €19,544,162.75 (including VAT).
- Tender: open procedure with weighted criteria according to applicable public contracting laws.
- Project Director: Engineer Andrés Martínez Francés designated for project oversight.
- Financing: Funded entirely by MCT’s own resources.
- Coordination: Notifications sent to local municipalities including Jacarilla and Orihuela to align urban planning adaptations with new hydraulic infrastructure.
Significance for the Region
This reservoir represents a major step forward in boosting water storage and supply stability in southeastern Spain, supporting sustainable resource management amid increasing water demand and climate variability.the enhanced regulatory capacity will optimize the use of high-quality desalinated water from Torrevieja’s plant – a critical asset for irrigation, consumption, and environmental protection in the region.
Moreover, the detailed environmental safeguards and public consultation demonstrate a transparent and law-abiding approach to critical water infrastructure growth.
References and Sources
- Official Announcement, Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla, September 10, 2025 – derecho.com