The initial section of the Tajo-Segura transfer canal will operate again in a "provisional and partial" manner with the aim of diverting "at least a part" of the already authorized flows that have not yet been sent due to the closure of the canal because of repair works in two sectors. For this, only the lower part of the canal will be enabled up to a level that allows, with minimal safety conditions, to transfer this volume of water.
This decision was made this Tuesday in the meeting of the Central Commission for the Operation of the Tajo-Segura Aqueduct (ATS), which has established that this partial operation will last until December 31, giving absolute priority to supply, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO).
The chosen alternative requires temporarily interrupting the works in the first section, in La Bujeda, to restore service for a limited period both in time and in transport capacity. The works will resume from January 1, 2027. The water that can be transferred from among the already approved volumes will be stored in the reservoirs of Campos del Paraíso and Alarcón until the completion of the works in the two affected sections, scheduled for mid-February 2027, provided that weather conditions allow it.
In any case, according to the current regulations governing the transfer rules, the flows sent until December 31 will be counted as resources of the hydrological year 2026-2027.
During the session, the Tajo Hydrographic Confederation (CHT) detailed the diagnosis and extent of the two breaks detected in September in the areas of La Bujeda and Liétor, which have forced the canal to remain out of service since then.
To accurately delineate the extent of the damages, the exploitation services have used geophysical techniques, with surveys using ground-penetrating radar in the affected areas, with the aim of having a detailed map of the impacts. To carry out the repairs, the Secretary of State for the Environment declared emergency actions, with a budget of 1.2 million euros.
The reports and assessments from the technical teams confirm the initially planned timelines, which place the end of the works around mid-February 2027.
HYDROLOGICAL SITUATION
At the same time, the Commission has analyzed the hydrological situation as of October 1 and the forecasts prepared by the Hydrographic Studies Center for the next six months. On that date, the headwater reservoirs accumulated an effective volume of 1,178.9 hm3, corresponding to level 2, according to the transfer operation rules.
The semiannual application of the operation rule allows anticipating that the system will remain at level 2 throughout the semester. However, due to the uncertainty related to the repairs, the Commission has authorized a transfer of 54 hm3 for the months of October and November, at a rate of 27 hm3 each month. These flows will begin to be diverted when the channel is operational again.
Similarly, it has been decided to continue sending the volumes already approved and still pending, based on the operational availability of the channel and until December 31, 2026, prioritizing those intended for human consumption. These resources will be charged to the hydrological year 2026-2027.
On the other hand, the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation has reported that the currently flooded area in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park reaches 353 hectares. Likewise, it has emphasized the urgency of receiving a volume of 2.5 hm3 to guarantee supplies through the so-called "Tubería Manchega" during the months of October and November.
In addition, the Hydrographic Studies Center has presented the balance of the hydrological year 2025-2026, which concluded on September 30. According to what has been stated, it has been one of the hydrological years with the highest contributions and stored volumes, which has allowed authorizing a total of 522 hm3, of which, to date, 424.1 hm3 have been transferred.
Finally, the Commission has decided to call a new meeting at the beginning of December to review the progress of the repair works, the volumes effectively transferred up to that moment and those that are expected to be sent before the end of the year, as well as to authorize the flows corresponding to the next period.