WRITTEN QUESTION E-1354/03

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: Pollution of the Segura river (Murcia, Spain)

In the Commission's last reply (E-1852/02(1), 31 July 2002) to my many questions concerning the serious pollution of the Segura river (Murcia, Spain), it stated that, on the one hand, it was unaware of the judicial developments in this affair and did not have the power to act and, on the other, it was aware of the Spanish government's good intentions, which were reflected in the Environmental Recovery Plan for the Segura basin.

Last week (11 March 2003), the public prosecutor in the case concerning the pollution of the Segura river, condemned by the Izquierda Unida (Left Unity) party, presented the charges (see attached document) against eight people (the chairman and former chairman of the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, the Commissioner and former Commissioner for Water, the former managing director of Emuasa, the mayor of Alcantarilla and the two people in charge of the construction firm hired by Emuasa), alleged to have committed a crime against the environment and public health. Furthermore, my complaints to the Commission of the complete inefficiency of the various and successive sewage treatment plants in the Segura river basin throw into doubt the Spanish government's good intentions concerning the professed effectiveness of the aforementioned Recovery Plan.

In view of these facts, and taking into consideration both the numerous complaints made by myself and other people and organisations and the Commission's obligations in the face of circumstances with a bearing on EU directives on water quality, the dumping of sewage and public health:

Can the Commission say:

1. Does the Commission not consider that it must intervene with the relevant Spanish national, regional and municipal authorities to demand a quick solution to this worrying pollution of the Segura?

2. What steps does the Commission intend to take to deal with the situation?

3. Does the Commission not think that it takes more than the building of sewage treatment plants to guarantee the quality of water, proper treatment of all kinds of sewage, and public health?

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 239.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

As stated in its reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-1852/02, the Commission is aware of the situation of the river Segura, in the provinces of Murcia and Alicante. The Segura is polluted because it has an irregular flow rate, resulting in reduced exchange of surface and ground water and gradual salinisation of the soil. The soil is also affected by certain farming practices in the area which lead to high nitrate levels. Uncontrolled discharges into the river and the fact that not all urban waste water in the area is properly treated are also contributing to the problem.

In recent years the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Spain several times, under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, to ensure compliance with the Community water directives relevant to this case. Such action on a general level will help solve the pollution problem to which the written question refers.

It should be noted that in an action for non-compliance brought by the Commission, the Court of Justice found against Spain(1) for failing to implement programmes to reduce the pollution of water by certain dangerous substances within List II in the Annex to Council Directive 76/464/EEC of 4 May 1976 on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community(2), contrary to the provisions of Article 7 of the Directive. The Court has also found against other Member States for the same reason. The Spanish authorities have adopted various measures to resolve the problem. The Commission is now checking to see whether the Court's ruling has been complied with.

As explained in the reply to Written Question E-1852/02, the Spanish authorities have sent the Commission their Environmental Recovery Plan for the Segura basin, now being implemented in the various fields concerned. It should also be noted that major investment is planned for the area. Implementation of these measures will help improve the quality of the waters of the Segura basin.

The Commission is now examining a complaint (reference 2002/4808) on the pollution of the river Guadalentín, a tributary of the Segura, in the autonomous Community of Murcia. As part of its investigation the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities for their comments and for further information on measures being implemented to clean up the river Segura.

(1) Judgment of 25.11.1998, case C-214/96.

(2) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976.