WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2683/97 by María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ , Pedro MARSET CAMPOS to the Commission. Deterioration of the river Segura
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MARSET CAMPOS, SORNOSA MARTINEZ
Subjects: Community of Valencia, EU programme, Region of Murcia, aid system, environmental protection, protected area, public health, stagnant water, watercourse, wildlife

C 117/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

› 

the Commission is also required to organise an exchange of information on the best available techniques for
each  sector  covered  by  the  Directive,  and  to  publish  the  results  every  three  years.  The  published  results
should  contain  information  on  all  techniques  relevant  for  the  protection  of  the  environment  as  a  whole,
including for example on-site effluent treatment plants.

(1)  OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(98/C 117/55)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2683/97

by Mar(cid:14)·a Sornosa Mart(cid:14)·nez (GUE/NGL)
and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Deterioration of the river Segura

The grave deterioration of the river Segura as it passes through Orihuela, the Vega Baja, Murcia and its mouth at
Guardamar in Alicante is causing serious environmental and health problems. The stagnant water and putrefying
mud produce insalubrious smells, and cause respiratory and gastro-intestinal problems amongst the population.

For  several  years,  various  political  parties  and  citizens(cid:146)  organizations  have  been  denouncing  this  situation,
without the relevant authorities producing a comprehensive solution to the problem, although a purifying plant is
going to be constructed for one of the stretches of river in question.

A quality report on the state of the river Segura as it passes through the city of Orihuela produced a general
quality index of less than 70, which was stated to be (cid:145)inadmissible(cid:146). This report highlights the total absence of
aquatic life.

The state of neglect of the river could presumably constitute an ecological crime.

In view of the situation, does the Commission not believe that Directive 92/43/EEC (1) on the conservation
1.
of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna requires the implementation of a comprehensive programme for
collecting and treating the stagnant water of these stretches of the river with a view to restoring natural life and
making  it  possible  to  use  the  water  for  irrigation  purposes,  once  it  has  been  purified,  without  its  indirect
consumption posing any threat to human health?

To  what  extent  would  the  Commission  be  prepared  to  consider  the  possibility  of  co-funding  a  plan  for

2.
reclaiming these stretches of the river, in conjunction with the local authorities?

(1)  OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 1997)

The site concerned is neither a special protection area under the terms of Directive 79/409/EEC (1) on the
1.
conservation  of  wild  birds,  nor  a  proposed  site  of  Community  importance  under  the  terms  of  Directive
92/43/EEC (2)  on  the  conservation  of  natural  habitats  and  of  wild  fauna  and  flora.  The  Commission  has  no
information  about  the  presence  of  any  species  or  habitat  types  of  Community  interest  in  the  area.  For  these
reasons Directive 92/43/EEC is not applicable.

2.
It  is  up  to  the  national  authorities  to  submit  projects  for  Community  financing  within  the  existing
Community support framework for Spain. Should this occur, the Commission would carefully assess all aspects
before taking any decision with respect to financing.

(1)  OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(2)  OJ L 206, 22.07.92, p. 7.