Regulatory framework
The National Hydrological Plan shall contain:
a) The measures necessary for the coordination of the different river basin hydrological plans.
b) The solution for the possible alternatives offered by those plans.
c) The forecast and conditions for the transfer of water resources between territorial areas covered by different river basin hydrological plans.
d) Any modifications envisaged in the planning of resource use that affect existing uses for supplying populations or irrigation.
In addition, it shall contain the delimitation and characterization of groundwater bodies shared between two or more districts, including the allocation of resources to each of them.
Finally, it must also include the declaration as waterworks of general interest of the infrastructure necessary for the transfer of resources, referred to in Article 67.1.c of this regulation, which may only be carried out by the legal regulation that approves or modifies the National Hydrological Plan.
The third cycle of the Water Framework Directive (2022-2027) water plans are in force for 23 of Spain's 25 river basin districts. The plans for Fuerteventura (scheduled for September 2024) and La Palma are pending approval by the Canary Islands Government, the latter being somewhat delayed due to the volcanic eruption at the end of 2021, which caused physical, hydrological, and other types of alterations, making it advisable to restart the review of the plan.
Its purpose is to ensure compliance with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and facilitate the decarbonization of the Spanish economy and its transition to a circular model, so as to guarantee the rational and equitable use of resources; and to promote adaptation to the impacts of climate change and the implementation of a sustainable development model that generates decent employment and contributes to the reduction of inequalities.
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the quality of inland waters in Spain and how it has changed based on a series of indicators that provide information for the development of general water monitoring programs (surveillance and operational networks). The report contains information updated to 2023, broken down for each river basin district according to the corresponding basin management body, as well as historical trends at the national level for the period 2010-2023.
In collaboration with ICEX and the most representative business associations, the Directorate General for Water has made an effort to produce fact sheets on the water-related services provided by Spanish companies. This is a living document that aims to show the international community the potential of Spanish companies to provide effective and efficient solutions to the challenges that the future holds for us in the field of water.
The National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC) 2021-2030 is the basic planning instrument for promoting coordinated action against the effects of climate change in Spain. Its main objective is to prevent or reduce present and future damage caused by climate change and to build a more resilient economy and society.
The PNACC 2021-2030 is the result of a collective process of analysis, reflection, and public participation.
Institutional Framework
The Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS) is the leading professional association in the urban water sector in Spain. It brings together management entities—municipal services and public, private, and mixed entities—that provide water supply and sanitation services to 80% of the Spanish population, as well as technology companies related to the water sector, public bodies, and individual experts. It also collaborates with prestigious international organizations on issues related to the water cycle, such as EurEau, IWA, OECD, WssTP, and ISO. AEAS currently has nearly 300 members, and the operating entities within the association provide services to more than 35 million people in around 1,700 Spanish municipalities.
ADECAGUA has established itself as the leading Spanish association dedicated to water quality management, with more than 200 committed members. ADECAGUA has worked closely with regulatory bodies and promoted alignment with the European Union's Water Framework Directive. As an advocate for good water quality, the association strives to promote and disseminate the principles established in this key directive, which seeks to ensure sustainable management of water resources and the achievement of good status for all water bodies in Europe.
The Association operates through the following areas of focus:
– Defending public water management.
– Creating indicators for sustainable water management.
– Creating public regulatory bodies to oversee the entire urban water cycle.
– Defending the human right to water and sanitation.
The Spanish Association of Water Services Companies (AGA) was founded in 1995 to promote and defend the common interests of companies providing services related to the entire water cycle.
Currently, the associated companies and entities provide urban water services to around 75% of the Spanish population, have an annual turnover of more than €3.8 billion, and employ more than 17,000 people.
The Directorate General for Water is a beneficiary of the PO FEDER Sustainable Growth (POCS) program, which aims to contribute to a more sustainable development model for the Spanish economy that makes more efficient use of resources, produces lower carbon emissions, and improves the quality of the environment and society through improved energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, water resource management, and the promotion of sustainable tourism.
This ministry is responsible for the following functions:
Proposing and implementing government policy on combating climate change, preventing pollution, protecting natural heritage, biodiversity, forests, the sea, water, and energy for the transition to a more environmentally friendly production and social model.
Drafting state legislation on water and coastlines, climate change, biodiversity protection, the environment, forests, meteorology, and climatology.
Direct management of public water resources in inter-community river basins and public maritime-terrestrial resources.
The drafting of state legislation on energy, the development of national energy policy, together with measures to ensure energy supply.
The drafting and development of the government's strategy and policy to address the demographic challenge, as well as the proposal and implementation of the policy to combat depopulation.
The basin organizations, known as Hydrographic Confederations, were created in 1926 by Royal Decree Law and defined in the Water Law as public law entities with their own legal personality distinct from that of the State, assigned for administrative purposes to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Directorate General for Water, as an autonomous body with full functional autonomy.
The Hydrographic Confederations have been operating continuously since their inception, playing an important role in water planning, resource management and use, protection of public water resources, granting of exclusive water use rights, water quality control, design and implementation of new water infrastructure, dam safety programs, data banks, etc.
The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) was created in response to the need to harmonize water management actions in the European Union.
Given that water in the European Community is subject to increasing pressure due to the continuous growth in demand for good quality water in sufficient quantities for all uses, there is a need to take measures to protect water in terms of both quality and quantity and thus ensure its sustainability. This is the challenge addressed by this Directive.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for proposing and implementing government policy on agricultural, livestock and fishery resources, the agri-food industry and food. This Ministry has, as its highest authority, the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food.
Spain is experiencing a complex water situation characterized by a structural shortage of water resources, which has been exacerbated in recent years by prolonged droughts and changes in precipitation patterns associated with climate change. According to official data, the volume of water stored in reservoirs in Spain has historically been around 58-65% of total capacity, but in recent years it has fallen below 50% on several occasions, especially in the southern and eastern basins of the peninsula. The regions most affected are usually Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Murcia, and the Levante, where rainfall has been particularly irregular and aquifers show clear signs of overexploitation. Added to this is the rise in temperatures, which increases evapotranspiration and reduces the net availability of water. The agricultural sector is the largest consumer of water in Spain, with approximately 80% of total water resources being used for irrigation. Crops such as fruit trees, olive trees, citrus fruits, and almond trees require large volumes of water.
Spain
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO)
Links of interest:
Spain has adopted various strategies to address its growing water problems, combining management measures, investment in infrastructure, and climate change adaptation policies. On the one hand, numerous irrigation systems have been modernized, promoting efficient irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation and telemetry to reduce losses and optimize water use. At the same time, investment in infrastructure such as desalination plants—especially in the Mediterranean basin—and the reuse of treated wastewater has increased, already representing a key alternative source in some regions. At the regulatory level, River Basin Management Plans have been revised to integrate water management into a more sustainable and adaptive framework, prioritizing the balance between resources and demands and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. In addition, awareness campaigns are being promoted to encourage more rational consumption, and cooperation between administrations and affected sectors is being encouraged to anticipate future episodes of severe drought.