The Government of Castilla-La Mancha, through the Water Directorate of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, has submitted around a hundred proposals to the Provisional Schemes of Important Topics (EpTIs) of the fourth hydrological planning cycle (2028-2033) of the seven hydrographic districts that cross the community: Tajo, Segura, Júcar, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, Duero, and Ebro. All of this has been developed in accordance with the principles set out in the "Common Position Agreement on Water Matters in Castilla-La Mancha".
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Mercedes Gómez, has underlined, after registering these documents this Thursday within the public information period opened by the hydrographic confederations, that "it has been a true collaborative effort by many people and groups related to water, and I believe we have managed to make a good proposal with the most important issues for Castilla-La Mancha in each district," adding that "the result is very valuable documents, both from the point of view of analysis and the proposals they incorporate."
Gómez also recalled the nearly 200 contributions made by the 71 members of the planning working groups, established specifically in each province, whose conclusions report was released last week at the Castilla-La Mancha Water Council, as indicated by the Junta in a press release.
"It is also a reflection of the work, dialogue, shared learning, and the ability of each person and entity to contribute their knowledge and experience with a common objective, which is to improve the management and water future of our region," stated the minister.
The set of proposals is distributed among the different basins with a common line of action based on the principles of the Regional Water Pact, but adjusted to the particularities and conflicts of each hydrographic area. As detailed by Gómez, the largest volume of contributions is concentrated in the Guadiana, with 30; the Tajo, with 22; and the Júcar and Segura, with 18 in each case.
Extension of the Special Plan for the Upper Guadiana and aquifer recharge
In the Guadiana Hydrographic Demarcation, the regional Executive proposes to extend the measures of the Special Plan for the Upper Guadiana, as well as the extension of the granted concessions, more adequate management of aquifers, greater environmental flexibility, and the promotion of alternative resources.
In parallel, it is suggested to increase water availability through actions such as artificial aquifer recharge, the use of reclaimed water, and the construction of new infrastructure, as opposed to an approach focused exclusively on reducing demand.
The allegations regarding the Guadiana, Gómez explained, "focus on the need to move towards a more balanced water management model adapted to the reality of the territory, with special attention to groundwater and the socioeconomic impact of the planned measures."
In this regard, the role of irrigation is highlighted as a key element for maintaining the rural fabric and combating depopulation, calling for tools that facilitate its gradual adaptation to new scenarios.
Tajo-Segura Transfer, ecological flows, and water quality
Regarding the Tajo, the head of Sustainable Development indicated that the regional Government has emphasized reviewing the management model of the Tajo-Segura transfer, reinforcing water quality, consolidating ecological flows, and adapting regulations to the needs of the rural environment. Castilla-La Mancha's allegations to the Tajo Hydrographic Demarcation demand greater technical rigor, stronger environmental protection, and the priority defense of the basin's interests against external pressures.
Firstly, he specified, the approach to water quality problems is questioned, so that "we demand that greater weight be given to major pollution sources, especially discharges from large urban areas like Madrid, as opposed to disproportionate attention to small municipalities."
Likewise, Castilla-La Mancha insists that the Tajo-Segura transfer must be analyzed transversally in all important issues, carefully evaluating its effects on flows, water quality, aquifers, and ecosystems, "and not limit it to isolated treatment, also proposing a review of its operating rules that guarantee compliance with the established ecological flow regime," Gómez stressed.
In the case of the Júcar, the allegations are aimed at strengthening the control of available resources and ensuring a fairer distribution within the basin, by reviewing transfers and correcting internal imbalances. To this end, greater transparency in water balances and a precise definition of surpluses are demanded, avoiding the commitment of transfers —particularly the Júcar-Vinalopó— without a solid technical basis to support their viability, and effectively protecting the donating territories.
Overexploitation in the Segura and adaptation to the rural environment in Guadalquivir, Ebro, and Duero
In the Segura demarcation, the contributions focus on addressing the overexploitation of groundwater as a priority and the notable socioeconomic impact that the planned measures may have in inland areas, especially in the southeast of the province of Albacete.
At this point, it is questioned that the Scheme of Important Issues identifies this problem as one of the most serious in the basin without accompanying it with concrete solutions, and the need for a more balanced distribution of resources is defended, so that inland areas, without access to desalination plants or large investments, do not bear the restrictions alone. Compensation mechanisms and priority in access to new generated resources are proposed. In relation to transfers, it is rejected to automatically consider certain volumes as available, as is the case with the Júcar-Vinalopó, without a real annual evaluation of surpluses.
For the Guadalquivir, the allegations seek to adapt hydrological planning to the reality of the rural environment, strengthen supply security, and improve water quality with a more pragmatic and balanced approach. Among the proposals is the establishment of differentiated purification requirements for small municipalities, avoiding the uniform application of standards that are economically unfeasible for towns with limited resources, as well as the activation of pending strategic regulation works.
In the Ebro basin, the proposals are oriented towards resource management, water quality improvement, and attention to the specific needs of the territories involved. In the Duero Demarcation, for its part, it is specifically proposed to promote hydrological-forest restoration actions as an essential instrument for more effective management of the hydrological cycle.