2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

SPAIN PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Spain
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$17,040
GDP per capita (PPP) US$22,150
Agriculture 3%
Industry 30%
Services 67%
Water quality and resources
Survey information is relatively poor at present. The first national survey was carried out in 1990 and
was based on informal data. It found 40% of rivers to be of Class I – II/III (good to fair) and 60% to be
of Class III – IV (fair to bad) quality. A 1999 survey of rivers, using 489 data points found 222 to be of
good to excellent quality (45%), 207 of fair to poor quality (42%) and 60 to be of bad quality (13%).
Water shortages are a widespread concern. These occur in the Eastern Pyrenees, Guadalquivir,
Segura, Southern Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands. In Andalusia and Extramadura, there are
regular supply limitations during the summer. Water is both unevenly distributed and rainfall is
markedly seasonal. Overall, there is an ‘excess’ of 27 billion m³ of water per annum, 92% of which is
found in Northern Spain in the Duero, Tagus and Ebro basins. This means that more than 50% of
current water resources are not being exploited. However, other areas have a minimum shortfall of
2.6 billion m³ per annum. Overall, 18.5 million people live in areas of water stress.
Distribution losses have exacerbated these regional problems. Supply efficiency for irrigation projects
is in the region of 40%, while the urban water network has distribution losses of 25% in 2000, against
losses of 325 in 1990.
Management and politics
The main problem for those seeking to modernise the management of Spain's water resources is that
the great disparities in water availability and need means that regional interests will continue to block
plans to integrate its water management. What are known as the nine hydrographic confederations
(river basin agencies) are seen as impotent, especially when it comes to monitoring water quality.
There have been plans for an overall increase in water availability of 20 billion m³ per annum by 2010,
of which 3.2 billion m³ per annum (16%) would come via groundwater. The shortfall for the Balearic
and Canary Islands is to be tackled via new desalination plants. Demand for urban and industrial
water by 2010 is expected to be 15 billion m³ per annum, or 850L/day per capita. But the long term
problem areas, with a projected deficit of 6.7 billion m³ per annum will remain, especially along the
Mediterranean coast, Andalusia, Eastern Pyrenees, Guadalquivir, Segura and Jucar.
The National Hydrological Plan proposed in 2000 was abandoned following the Socialist Party winning
the 2004 elections. Plans for 17 desalination plants at a cost of €3.8 billion as an alternative water
source for the Southern areas of Spain are under consideration.
Population
Total (2003, million) 41.1
Total (2015, million) 41.5
In urban areas (2003) 78%
In urban areas (2015) 81%
In urban agglomerations (2015) 18%
Development of sewerage infrastructure
In comparison to most of the major western economies, Spain’s sewerage and sewage treatment
infrastructure remains at an undeveloped stage. The table below highlights that, given the
undeveloped state of the system prior to the end of the Franco regime in 1976; the country has in fact
made appreciable strides towards modernisation.
186 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006