WRITTEN QUESTION E-1714/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Extraction of water from the River Segura

The River Segura flows through the province of Alicante for around 31 km before it reaches the Mediterranean. The Autonomous Communities of Andalucia, Castilla la Mancha, Valencia and the Murcia region are all located in the Segura river basin. The residents of the province of Alicante make up around 17 % of the population of the whole river basin.

The total water resources of the river basin are estimated at 1500 hm per year, derived from groundwater as well as water channelled from the River Tagus. The annual average rate of flow at the river's headwaters is more than 30 cu m per second.

According to my information, one of the objectives of the river basin's administrators is to ensure a minimum flow of 4 cu m per second between Contraparada (Murcia) and the Guardamar dam at the river's outlet in the province of Alicante.

The River Segura's rate of flow does not reach this level where it passes through Oriola (Orihuela) in the province of Alicante, and this could be a result of the fact that excessive quantities of water, both surface and underground, have been extracted for years along certain parts of the river's course. These circumstances mean that its flow has been reduced to minimal levels by the time the river enters the province of Alicante, with all the consequent pollution and health risks that this implies.

Is the Commission aware of the state of the Segura River? Is it considering asking the Spanish government and the autonomous governments of Murcia and the Community of Valencia to explain how they are guaranteeing compliance with Community directives on the environment? On the same point, are checks required on the legal status of all extractions of water from the river?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

The status of the River Segura, especially the non-compliance of the minimum flow needed in order to maintain the river's ecological status and the amount of over-exploitation that occurs all along the river basin, indeed raises the consequence of sanitation problems for the ecosystems and neighbouring communities.

The Commission is aware of the ecological and hydrological status of the River Segura and the related problems in the surrounding area, and would refer to its reply to Written Question E-1354/03 by Mr Marset Campus(1) concerning this matter. As stated in that reply, it has to be underlined that the current state of the river is caused mainly by the absence of a regular flow, which gives rise to poor interconnection between ground and surface waters and progressive salinisation of the soil. In addition, uncontrolled waste water discharges, industrial pollution and agricultural run-off all add to the pressures on the river. As described in the previous reply, the Commission has initiated several general actions and infringement proceedings against Spain in order to ensure compliance with water-related European legislation. It should also be noted that the Spanish authorities are taking measures in order to solve the situation.

Furthermore, Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy(2) establishes a framework for water policy at Community level. In addition, it promotes sustainable use of water and enhances protection and improvement of the aquatic environment with the aim of achieving good status for all waters by 2015. With regard to the situation of over-exploitation of the aquifers and the effects on underground water quality, quantity, and overall management of groundwater resources, it can be said that this represents improper and unsustainable management of groundwater resources.

With regard to the authorisation of abstractions for surface water and groundwater, these are decided at national, regional and local level. Article 11 of Directive 2000/60/EC requires Member States to control the abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, including a register of water abstractions and a requirement for prior authorisation for abstraction and impoundment, as a basic measure to be implemented at river basin level. However, the programme of measures, including the basic ones, must be established by 22 December 2009 at the latest.

Finally, the Commission considers, as required in Directive 2000/60/EC, that integrated water management within the river basin is the appropriate model for the sustainable use of water resources. Accordingly, several actions have financially contributed to the improvement of the aquatic environment. Almost EUR 150 million is earmarked for cleaning up the waters of the Segura, of which EUR 120 million will come from the European Union's Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. This infrastructure should support the Spanish authorities' efforts to maintain an ecological flow in the river. A list of the infrastructure is being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

(1) See page 80.

(2) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.