2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

SPAIN PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Freshwater
Total (1998, km³) 110.3
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 2,775
Withdrawals (1992, km³) 35.5
For domestic use (1987) 12%
For industry (1987) 26%
For agriculture (1987) 62%
Privatisation and the private sector
The private sector is making steady progress in Spain. This has been compounded by the generally
held belief amongst the municipally held sewerage companies that until EU laws are impending, they
need not be considered. The €18.8 billion 2001-08 Plan Hidrologicio Nacional Capex included €2.82
billion for urban water supply, €2.72 billion for water transport, €2.61 billion for wastewater treatment
and €1.26 billion for water quality improvements.
Structure of market – contracts in 2000
Population Private Public
Up to 10,000 2,510 5,224
10,000-50,000 288 208
50,000+ 59 56
Private sector involvement dates back to Aguas de Barcelona’s original water provision contract in
1911. Private sector progress was limited during the Franco era, but since 1976, it has made steady
inroads. FCC and Aguas de Barcelona (part of Suez Lyonnaise via direct and indirect stakes) were
the only private sector players until 1985. Effective competition has only emerged since 1991, after
which Aguas de Barcelona has gained some 50% of all contracts. Aguas de Valencia (30% held by
Bouygues) has been gaining a number of small contracts in recent years. Dragados entered the water
and sewerage market in 1991, having been responsible for approximately 30% of Spain’s water and
sewerage construction work since 1951. Ferrovial and Iberdrola are also building up portfolios of
contracts, the latter having acquired Obrascom’s water activities in order to gain economies of scale.
The private sector is gaining contracts for serving 650,000–900,000 people per annum. By 2010, it is
expected that 75% of the Spanish water provision and sewerage market will be privately held,
including the anticipated award for Madrid's Canal Isabella II's sewerage services. The higher figure
depends upon the fate of Madrid’s Canal Isabella II. Many water and sewerage services are currently
being run at a loss by municipalities. Agbar believes that it has 55% of the private sector.
Groundwater
Total recharge (1998, km³) 20.7
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 521
Withdrawals (1990km³) 6.0
For domestic/industry (