issues international symposium on groundwater ... · international symposium on groundwater...

International Symposium onGroundwater Sustainability(ISGWAS)

University of Alicante, Spain, January 24-27, 2006

The Spanish Royal Academyof Sciences

on behalf of

TheInteracademyPanelon International

Issues

“Water Management in Alicante: Hydrogeology, Economics,Environment, and Main Institutions in the Vinalopó Basin and

Campo de Alicante”

Organized by

MINISTERIODE MEDIO AMBIENTE

MINISTERIODE EDUCACIÓN Y CIENCIA

Instituto Geológicoy Minero de España

Technical Field Trip - January 27

1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.1. Objectives and overview of the technical field trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.2. Location, hydrological and socioeconomic characteristics of the area under study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.3. Groundwaters in the Alicante province . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.4. The complex control against overexploitation and current status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91.5. Bibliography and sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2. WATER SUPPLY IN THE CITY OF ALICANTE: AMAEM (ALICANTE MUNICIPAL WATER COMPANY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122.1. Introduction and brief history of water supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122.2. Description of the supply system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132.3. Water management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.3.1. Management of groundwater resources .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152.3.2. Management of water resources in extreme situations .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.4 Bibliography and sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3. THE CANAL DE ALICANTE DESALINATION PLANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.1. Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.2. Objective of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.3. Description of the facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3.3.1. Seawater intake point .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.3.2. Desalination plant .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.3.3. Desalinated water impulsion .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.3.4. Regulatory deposit .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.3.5. Reject water discharge .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.4. Bibliography and sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4. THE CREVILLENTE RESERVOIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.1. Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.2. Objective of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.3. The Tajo-Segura water transfer and the Crevillente reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.4. The Automatic Hydrological Information System (SAIH) of the Segura River basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264.5. Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274.6. Civil works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274.7. Bibliography and sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

5. GALERÍA DE LOS SUIZOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295.1. Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295.2. Objective of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295.3. Description of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

5.3.1. The Crevillente aquifer and the Galería de los Suizos .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295.3.2. Main features of the Galería .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295.3.3. Exploitation of water from the Galería .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325.3.4. Characteristics of the water in the Galería .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33


6. VISIT TO BARRANCO AND POZOS DEL TOLOMÓ AND THE FEDERAL RESERVOIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.1. Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.2. Objective of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.3. Description of the visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

6.3.1. The exploitation of Barranco del Tolomó ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.3.2. The consequences of intensive exploitation in Barranco del Tolomó ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.3.3. Management initiatives .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39


7. LIST OF COLLABORATORS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

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1. INTRODUCTION

Within the context of the InternationalSymposium on Groundwater Sustainability(ISGWAS) of the Interacademy Panel (IAP), webelieve that the international experts of differentscientific fields attending the said Symposiumwould benefit from learning about and analysing inperson a practical case of groundwater use andmanagement development. With that purpose inmind, the organisers have selected the VinalopóRiver basin and exploitation system. Theexploitation of the water resources found in thisregion has yielded countless social and economicbenefits. To a large extent, the exploitation effortshave been done on the initiative of farmers, privateinstitutions and town councils, who have searchedfor water resources based on public support.

Nevertheless, the harsh climatic andhydrogeological conditions of this region,coupled with intense and reckless urbandevelopment, can have a negative impact on theenvironment, the economy, and the community.Groundwater is an essential element of theVinalopó River water management system. Thissystem has supplied water to other neighbouringareas, such as the city of Alicante and severalstretches of the Costa Blanca littoral. Thesegroundwater is indispensable for humanconsumption, irrigation, and industrial purposes.Also, groundwater provides multiple ecologicalservices in lacustrine and lagoon-like areascomprised in and influenced by this basin andmeet several social and recreational needs in theregion. Groundwater become particularlyimportant in the Vinalopó basin, a semi-aridregion with a long tradition in the use andmanagement of its scarce surface andunderground resources. To meet its needs, thepopulation of this region has historicallydepended on these resources, which todayremain virtually the only available resources forhuman consumption.

The negative effects of the current level ofoverexploitation have alerted stakeholders to theunsustainability of these exploitation levels in theshort term. The organisers have included thistechnical field trip in the Symposium to analyse thisparadigmatic case, discuss the challenges arisingfrom it, and come up with solutions that willcontribute to a sustainable use of groundwaters.

1.1. Objectives and Overview of theTechnical Field Trip

The technical field trip, following thetheoretical sessions of the Symposium, aims to 1)provide participants with an in-depth knowledgeof the harsh climatic and hydrogeologicalconditions of the Vinalopó River basin; and 2)analyse the topics of technology, management,and efficacy in the use of water resources.

In order to gain a global understanding of theexploitation system at hand, one first needs toanalyse the acute water scarcity conditions of thecity of Alicante (which is not located in theVinalopó hydrogeological system). This city, sincethe late 19th century, has obtained waterresources from several external systems -including the Vinalopó system.

Three main phases can be distinguished in thecomplex development process of Alicante’sdrinking water supply system: planning,technological development, and exploitation/management of hydraulic infrastructures. In linewith that general development process, theauthorities have invested funds in hiring, training,and empowering the specialist personnel andhuman resources of the Aguas de AlicanteCompany. In this field trip, the participants willanalyse the origins of the water resources that areavailable to AMAEM (Aguas Municipalizadas deAlicante-“Alicante Municipal Water Company”).Those resources come from the waters that aremanaged and produced by the state-runMancomunidad de Canales del Taibilla (“TaibillaBasin Water Association”), which is dependantupon the Spanish Ministry of the Environment,and also from underground resources (aquiferslocated in the Higher and Middle Vinalopócounties) extracted by AMAEM. To conclude,participants will analyse the resourcemanagement and control systems in place.

Firstly, participants will visit the Canal deAlicante Desalination Plant and become familiarwith the importance of this site, which isincluded in a larger programme promoted by theMinistry of the Environment. Its goal is toguarantee the current and future water supplyneeds of the population of this coastal region.Traditionally, such needs were met by exploitingthe meagre groundwater resources (needed formultiple uses) and surface water resources (some

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are local and some are transfers from otherbasins, namely the Tajo, Segura, and Júcarbasins).

Our next stop will be the Crevillente reservoir.Multiple reasons explain its relevance for thepurposes of the Symposium. To begin with,participants will become familiar with anothersystem of water regulation and supply found inthe region. Secondly, this reservoir is part of aninter-basin water transfer system (i.e. Tajo-Segura). Finally, participants will see the seasideand lower basin of the Vinalopo River valley(Fig. 1), thus getting a full picture of thehydrological complexity of this region and of thelocal environmental/socioeconomic units thatcompete for the water resources.

We might add that this reservoir is one ofseveral sites and facilities controlled by theMinistry of the Environment through theAutomatic Hydrological Information System

(SAIH, abbreviation in Spanish) of the SeguraRiver basin, which will be briefly analysed duringthe visit.

The third stop will be the Galería de los Suizos,which is a paradigm of the groundwatercatchment systems of the Vinalopó basin. It is themajor site in the exploitation of the CrevillenteMountain Range aquifer and an importantreservoir of carbonated formations from thePrebetic period. It has undergone an intenseextraction activity which has led to a dramaticdrop in its resources. It has been declaredoverexploited and terminal. As a result, the basinauthorities have implemented withdrawalmonitoring and control processes.

The fourth stop will be the Tolomó wells,another key site in the exploitation of theCrevillente aquifer. The main impact of theintensive exploitation activity in this part of theaquifer will be analysed briefly. Reference will be

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Fig. 1. Town and salt marsh of Santa Pola – Lower Vinalopó.

made to the Federal regulatory reservoir, anexample of a groundwater storage andmanagement mechanism and a key componentof the integrated administration of the resourcesof this exploitation system.

The final stop will be the city of Villena (UpperVinalopó). A round table will analyse “WaterManagement in the Vinalopó Basin” from a cross-sectorial and multidisciplinary perspective.

To sum up, the main goal of this technical fieldtrip is to contribute to the sustainable use of waterresources in general and groundwaters inparticular by offering specific proposals on thebasis of an analysis of the Vinalopó basin, inharmony with the general spirit of thisSymposium.

1.2. Location, hydrological andsocioeconomic characteristics ofthe area under study

The Vinalopó River is in the east of Spain andflows into the Mediterranean (Fig. 2). Itshydrographic basin is one of the southernmostones in the province of Alicante. It is locatedsoutheast of the Júcar basin and towards thesouth of the Autonomous Community ofValencia. The Vinalopó River basin drains aterritory of 1,979km2. The regional population,farmers, and industries compete intensively forthe use of the scarce water resources.

The river runs through three counties (Upper,Middle, and Lower Vinalopó), including twenty-one municipalities that represent 31% of the totalpopulation of the Alicante province, whoselandmark physiographic basis is precisely thisriver basin. This fluvial system belongs to thehydraulic divisory and hydrological managementcontrol of the Júcar River basin.

To better understand the complexity of theterritory under study during this technical fieldtrip, one should know that this area is alsointegrated in the Vinalopó-Alacantí ExploitationSystem. This system, located in the south of theAlicante province, covers the basins of theVinalopó River, the Monnegre River, the Rambladel Rambuchar, and the littoral subbasins that arecomprised between the northern border of ElCampello municipality and the divide line with

another basin located south, managed by theSegura River Water Authority, whoseadministrative territorial division intersects withthe Vinalopó River. One further feature thatshows the complexity of this region and its waterresource exploitation system is the frequent andnumerous water transfers between the differentbasins.

Today, this territory, with a population of441,956 inhabitants, covers 30% of its needswith resources from the Upper and MiddleVinalopó, at the expense of the water reservesfound in its aquifers, which are exploited for thebenefit of the Lower Vinalopó and the adjacentbasin (which includes the city of Alicante andneighbouring towns, adding another 341,000inhabitants).

The acute scarcity of surface hydric resourceshas triggered a long history of water resourcesexploitation, under the pressure of theconsiderable number of urban settlements and ahigh population density, and favoured by thelocal conditions as regards communications andecological and topographical accessibility. Thesefactors have brought about a solid agriculturaland urban-industrial development, which can beseen particularly well in some sites of theVinalopó River. The need for regulations,resulting from the lack of surface water and theuneven distribution of groundwater resources,goes back to the times of Roman and Arabicdomination of Spain. Initially, such regulationshad the mark of customs and traditions and werelater turned into formal, comprehensive, anddetailed codes and regulations. There is proof ofsuch exploitation activity through records ofconstant disputes and litigation among waterusers. However, such litigation failed to preventthe abusive extraction of groundwaters and theoverexploitation of aquifer systems.

Such overexploitation went on until the late20th century under the legal protection of theWater Act (“Ley de Aguas”), enacted on 13th June1879, and binding for over a century. Aremarkable feature of that act was the unnaturaldistinction between groundwaters and surfacewaters, which remained over a time of intenseconstruction and industrial revolution in the areaunder study. It should be stated that, other thanthat flaw, the old Water Act had countless positivefeatures in terms of formalising and legally

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Fig. 2. Location of the area under study.

regulating water uses. Nonetheless, it stayed inforce with the said flaw until the new Water Actwas passed in 1995.

The Vinalopó River, in spite of being the mostdeveloped water artery in the province (with89.5km in length and a basin of 1,979km2) is anintermittent stream, a rainfed watercourse, withno relevant tributaries and whose original sourcesare just a few meagre springs. The river runs dryin the Benejama area (Fig. 3). As a matter of fact,the river flows do not reach the sea – they dry upin the alluvial cone which the river forms in theLower Vinalopó. In other words, other than in thehigher stretch of the basin, the water sources thatfeed the Vinalopó River are sporadic. Thepermanent flows found in the river bed are wastewaters and industrial spills from the towns it goesthrough, thus being highly polluted.

The basin inflows are estimated at 48Mm3, ofwhich about 50% flow epigeally, particularly inits higher stretch. However, according to a longhydrological gauging series performed in the late

1980s (before the overexploitation of the basin),the mean value at that time was 12Mm3.Nevertheless, at that time, and today even moreso, the Elda reservoir (17th century) and the Elchereservoir (17th-19th century) were and are siltedup. The current balance of regulated surfaceresources for this basin is zero. For those reasons,groundwaters constitute the main and virtuallyonly source of water resources in the Vinalopóbasin and other adjacent areas.

1.3. Groundwaters in the Alicanteprovince

The Alicante province has numerous geologicalformations with aquiferous characteristics, most ofthem of a carbonated nature (Table 1). Nevertheless,its great tectonic complexity has generated a stronghydrogeological compartmentalization, the resultof which is the existence of a high number ofaquifers, usually of a small size.

The biggest systems are located in the northernpart of the province. Their larger dimensions,along with their high degree of karstification anda much wetter climatic pattern than that of thesouth, allow these northern systems to own ahigher level of resources. It is therefore in thisnorthern part of the province where we find thelargest number of springs and the biggest andmost spectacular ones in terms of hydrodynamicfunctioning. From a hydrogeochemical point ofview, the aquifers located in this part of theprovince tend to have waters with a weakmineralisation and calcic bicarbonated facies,suitable for human consumption.

The aquifers located in the southern part of theprovince are usually smaller and have a lowerlevel of resources, because they are located in adrier area. A large part of them, particularly thosewith good-quality waters located in the VinalopóValley, have undergone intensive exploitation.This intensive use of groundwaters is due toseveral factors. On the one hand, the goodclimate that characterises this area makes itattractive for intensive farming (tomato, vines,fruit trees, etc.). This made the expanses of farmedland grow a lot since the 1960s, which in turnmeant a demand for large volumes of water fortheir irrigation. On the other hand, we must alsohighlight the absence of surface watercourses and

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Fig. 3. The Vinalopó River as it flows through the cityof Elche.

the very poor rainfall levels, with average valuesbelow 400mm/year.

The intensive exploitation of aquifers has had anumber of technical, environmental, social,economic, administrative and legal consequences.Among these are the decrease of piezometric levels,with the subsequent increase of the total head andthe growth of exploitation costs; the impact on free-water areas like brooks, rivers, lagoons or wetlands;the salinisation of aquifers, both inland ones (as aresult of pollution processes due to the dissolution ofevaporitic salts) and coastal ones (as a result ofmarine intrusion); as well as the legal problemsrelated to water affections and properties. However,a large part of the agricultural and economicdevelopment of the Alicante province has takenplace thanks to the water from the aquifers. In thisrespect, many pieces of land have been exploitedwith intensive farming using exclusivelygroundwaters and, similarly, we have only beenable to meet the ever increasing demand for water

derived from population growth during the summermonths through more groundwater extractions.

Groundwater quality is one further problem, asit varies greatly from reservoir to reservoir.Although dolomitic calcareous outcrops tend tohave higher qualities, the presence of triassicformations, the high overexploitation levels of theaquifer, farming pollution, and industrial/urbanspills occasionally cause quality alterations.

The water balance for the basin (see Table 1) isas follows: the mean groundwater exploitation is150m3, of which a high percentage (between40% and 63%) are extractions from the reserves,since the rainfall water recharge is minimal (54.2-94.8Mm3) if compared to the pumped amounts.There are imbalances in the Yecla-Villena-Benejama, Carche-Salinas, and Argueña-Maigmóaquifers. A partial recovery of their reserveswould be possible by limiting the extraction rateand by implementing recharge systems and othersystems to stop the hydric deficit. The aquifers of

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Table 1. Water balance and characterisation of the aquifer systems in the Vinalopó basin. Source: HydrologicalPlanning Office for the Júcar Basin.

the Crevillente Range, Quibas, and Cid Range arein a state of overexploitation and depletion (thewater authorities have declared them terminal).According to technical reports from 1989 fromthe Júcar River Water Authority, the waterresources of those aquifers have been underexploitation for mining purposes since the late1980s.

Considering the depths at which water isextracted in some sites of the basin (e.g. 650 m inthe Crevillente Range) and water salinity, one cansee there is an added cost involved in the use ofthese groundwaters. The energetic cost that isinvolved and the low water quality haverepercussions in the economy of farmers and thequality of produce. There is an astonishingparadox in that the Vinalopó basin, particularlyits upper and middle reaches, not only supplywater to its region, (which covers about 30,000irrigated hectares, a population of 209,430inhabitants, and large number of industries) theyalso, satisfy 30% of the water demand in thelower Vinalopó (239,335 inhabitants and 21,746

irrigated hectares) and the Greater Alicante area(341,000 inhabitants and 18,892 irrigatedhectares).

1.4. The complex control againstoverexploitation and current status

The overexploitation of the Vinalopó aquifers(see Table 2), with a deficit of 84.78Mm3/year, isa clear handicap that hinders the sustainability ofintensive farming, which is the main agriculturalactivity in the area. This makes it necessary to usewater with a salinity that is higher than 2,000mg/lin some fields. That, in turn, has a negativeimpact in crop quality and productivity. Twentypercent of the pumping is carried out at depths ofmore than 475m. As a result, water withdrawal isnot cost-efficient, given the energetic costinvolved.

The scarcity of resources and the water deficitare longstanding realities in the Vinalopó, as arethe demands for water transfers from other basins,

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Table 2. Basic characteristics of the hydrogeological units related to the Vinalopó exploitation system. Year:1989. Source: Inventory of hydraulic resources of the Vinalopó exploitation system. Júcar River WaterAuthority. 1993. Note: The data for the overexploited Crevillente Range and Jumilla-Villena aquifers weretaken from their Extraction Control Plans and were current as of 1987.

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Fig. 4. Water infrastructures in the Vinalopó Valley.

which date back to the 14th century (there isdocumented proof of it). However, the issues ofwater scarcity and groundwater overexploitationbecame more acute since the early 1980s, inconnection with frequent droughts and a numberof structural problems arising from the prevailingeconomic system and the inexistent land useregulation and planning. This has strongly revivedprojects of water transfer from other basins,included in the Hydrological Plan for the JúcarBasin (1997) and the National Hydrological Plan,passed in 2002.

The agricultural tradition of the Vinalopó areais a positive factor for this basin, which, far fromwasting water resources, has managed toeconomise its resources through multiplesolutions. Its authorities have spared no efforts toface the water costs well over and above thestandards and tariffs applied in other basins(particularly in the Júcar basin, considered assource basin in the National Hydrological Plan).Undoubtedly, however, a rigorous managementof the urban, industrial, and environmentaldemands is absolutely required, particularly inview of European-level regulations that haveestablished specific goals and deadlines.

The shortage in water supply has severely hitthe irrigated intensive crops in the Vinalopóbasin. Arable land has been abandoned as aresult of the water shortage and several structuralfactors related to costlier production processes,new market conditions and increasedcompetition in the aftermath of the CommonAgricultural Policy.

The Vinalopó farmers have made considerableefforts to meet the need for a highly efficientmanagement of both current and futureresources. They created Water User Associations(Juntas de Usuarios), whose role was to take thenecessary steps to finance and buildinfrastructures (catchment, regulation, transfers,implementation of new irrigation techniques).The associations’ general objective was to adaptto new technologies and to conform to bothnational hydrological planning regulations andthe European Framework Directive, whichinvolve and require a strict control of the uses,management, and efficient administration ofconventional and non-conventional resources.

In the Region of Valencia, the Vinalopóexploitation system is currently right in the centre

of heated political debate around themanagement of water resources. The area understudy has been caught up in a social and politicalcontroversy that involves particular andconflicting interests. Unfortunately, the debate isfar from carrying out a rational, technical-scientific analysis guided by a principle ofconsistency with the hydric and environmentalreality that defines this territory in the 21stcentury, nor does it approach the matter from thelong-term hydrological planning perspective thatis required.

While some present the transfer policy as theright solution that will guarantee thesustainability of the regional economy, othersconceive of water transfers as a solution for theoverexploitation of the aquifers in this system thatshould meet farmers’ needs. In the meantime, thewater demands for urban and residential uses,which are soaring in the whole area butparticularly in the littoral (to which the waterresources have traditionally been channelledsince the late 19th century) are inevitably metwith waters from desalination plants.

Recent developments include the passing ofthe new Water Act and derived regulations, theapproval of the Plan for the Júcar Basin, theamendment to the Water Act, the recentamendment to the National Hydrological Plan,and the EU Framework Directive requirements. Inspite of all that, the solutions needed in thisterritory are taking long to come. The veryimplementation of such solutions is onlybeginning, as a consequence of the lack ofconsensus between the conflicting stakeholders.Overall, this remains a major handicap for thefuture sustainability of the basin.

The policy of the Ministry of the Environment,on the basis of a land use planning and regulationpolicy, offers comprehensive solutions that reston the following ideas: modernisation andenhancement of water catchment systems,regulation, supply and irrigation, desalination,wastewater use, control and reduction ofenvironmental impacts, resource sparing, andalso recouping the investment and environmentalcosts. All these proposals are in conflict with thesolutions that are advocated by specific groups ofstakeholders who are after quick solutions,guaranteeing water flows (primarily for urbansupply and development), and who are less

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environmentally committed to this territory andto the future generations.

1.5. Bibliography and sources

Bru Ronda, C. (1992) LOS CAMINOS DEL AGUA: ELVINALOPO. Confederación Hidrográfica delJúcar-Secretaría de Estado para las Políticas de Aguay Medio Ambiente, MOPT. Valencia. 267 pp.

Bru Ronda, C. (1993) LOS RECURSOS DE AGUA: SUAPROVECHAMIENTO Y ECONOMÍA EN LAPROVINCIA DE ALICANTE. Editado por laFundación Cultural C. A. M. Alicante. 484 pp.

Bru Ronda C. & Rico Amorós, M.A. (1996): “RecursosHídricos y Usos del Agua” en ORDENACIÓN DELTERRITORIO Y PLANIFICACIÓN ESTRATÉGICA ENEL EJE DE DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO DELVINALOPÓ (Alicante). Dpto de Análisis GeográficoRegional. Departamento de análisis EconómicoAplicado. Universidad de Alicante, Alicante.192 pp.

Bru Ronda C. & Cabrera Román C. (1999) AGUAS DEALICANTE. Empresa AMA-Excmo. Ayto. deAlicante, Alicante. 265 pp.

Bru Ronda C. (2002): “LOS REGADÍOS INTENSIVOSDEL VINALOPÓ, ALICANTE”. En Agua, regadío ysostenibilidad en el Sureste peninsular.Coordinación: Julia Martínez Fernández y MiguelAngel Esteve Selma. Colección NUEVA CULTURADEL AGUA. Editorial BAKEAZ. Noviembre de 2002.242 pp.

Oficina de Planificación Hidrológica de la CuencaHidrológica del Júcar. Balance hidráulico ycaracterización de los sistemas acuíferos de lacuenca del Vinalopó. Inventario de recursoshidráulicos del sistema de explotación delVinalopó. Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar,1993

2. WATER SUPPLY IN THE CITYOF ALICANTE: AMAEM(ALICANTE MUNICIPALWATER COMPANY)

2.1. Introduction and brief history ofwater supply

The city of Alicante is located towards theSoutheast of the Iberian peninsula, where rainfallis scant and irregular; moreover, its effectivenessis reduced by the considerable intensity whenrainfall does occur and by high levels of potentialevapotranspiration. Furthermore, there are noallochthonous rivers with a regular, permanentwater flow, as the watercourses that do exist,comprising streams and ramblas (dry courses),only channel water intermittently. Finally, thereare few permeable formations, and their storagecapacity is adversely affected by their geologicalstructure.

In short, the fact is that our city suffers achronic water shortage, which makes it necessaryto obtain resources from beyond our boundariesand to make the best use possible of what isavailable from various systems. In all cases, it isnecessary to perform a fairly complex exercise ofplanning, development, exploitation andmanagement of water infrastructures.

In this latter respect, the basic development ofAlicante’s system for the supply of potable watercan be considered to consist of three stages,which evolved in parallel to the continuousgrowth in the human population of the area:– Hypogene water, based on the first public

supply system established for the city, and theonly one existent until the first half of the 20thcentury. The original system, which dates backat least to the times of the Muslim dominationof Spain, seems to have consisted ofelementary procedures for lifting water fromrelatively shallow depths. During the 17th and18th centuries, technological advances made itpossible to dig mines, wells and galleries, andthus watermills constituted an essentialelement of the water economy, and some ofthese remained in use until the early years ofthe 20th century.

– The growing demand for resources, together withthe recurrent periods of drought, meant that from

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the late 19th and early 20th century, importantwater-management projects were undertaken.The first of these was to bring water in from LaAlcoraya, a project that was inaugurated in 1881.Household distribution was performed by meansof water delivery-men, who went around the citybearing pitchers of water filled at the fivefountains installed within the city boundaries.This first installation was followed by anotherproject that was even more ambitious andinnovative, the Alicante Canal, which was 48Kmlong and brought water from the artesian wells atSax, in the Alto Vinalopó area in 1898. Thevolume of water channelled through the canalamounted to 10 l/s, which according to censusrecords of the time corresponded to a supply of21.6 l/inhabitant/day, a much higher supply thanwas then available in other major cities.In the mid-1930s, the Barcelona General WaterCompany, which had been responsible forsupplying the city since 1911, undertook large-scale investments that led to an increase in itswater-channelling capacity, an extension of theurban supply network, the further deepening ofthe wells and the tapping of new groundwatersupplies, although this latter developmentactually took place in the 1970s. Thus, urbanwater supply was consolidated and expanded,and the service was taken into municipalownership via the Alicante Municipal WaterCompany (AMAEM).

– The new sources of water were soon found to beinsufficient for the growing demand, particularlyin coastal regions, and so the City Council ofAlicante was obliged to enter theMancomunidad (inter-municipal partnership)de Canales del Taibilla (“Taibilla Basin WaterAssociation”), which obtained water from theTaibilla River, located in the neighbouring SeguraRiver basin. Nevertheless, before long (by the1960s), this latter Mancomunidad found itselfunable to meet the water demands of itsmembers, whose numbers had grown from 2 to26 in a single decade.In this context, the Tajo-Segura water transfer

scheme was proposed in 1967; its conclusioncoincided with that of new infrastructures providedby AMAEM, based upon two main areas of activity:on the one hand, improving the transportation of thewater obtained from Higher Vinalopó, by twin-channelling and completely renovating the old El

Cid Canal along its whole constructed, lined length(parts of these works are still in use and bear volumesexceeding 2000 l/s); and, on the other, diversifyingand directing extractions of groundwater to aquifersof better water quality and with larger reserves.

However, these measures have proved to beinsufficient, and water necessities will continueto increase, according to present forecasts, and sothe current approach is to consider new sourcesof water supply in the form of desalination plants,such as that of the Canal de Alicante which hasa nominal output of 50,000 m3/day of water forhuman consumption.

2.2. Description of the supply system

As noted above, the water made available bythe Alicante Municipal Water Company(AMAEM) for the supply of potable water to thetowns it services is derived from two well-differentiated sources: the water received fromthe Taibilla Basin Water Association, and thatextracted from the aquifers located in the areas ofHigher Vinalopó and Middle Vinalopó.

The first of these water supplies is distributedto the municipalities of Alicante and San Vicentedel Raspeig, while the second is transported, aswell as to these towns, to Petrer, Monforte delCid, part of Novelda, San Juan and El Campello.

The water available to the Taibilla WaterAssociation is obtained from the following sources:– Taibilla River.– Tajo-Segura water transfer.– Sea-water desalination plants.

AMAEM’s rights to exploit the aquifers located inHigher Vinalopó and Middle Vinalopó amount to anannual volume of 31,044,300 m3. This water isextracted by means of 20 boreholes drilled into thefollowing hydrogeological units:– U.H.G. 08.41 Peñarrubia.– U.H.G. 08.36 Villena-Benejama.– U.H.G. 08.43 Argueña-Maigmo.– U.H.G. 08.50 Sierra del Cid.– U.H.G. 08.99 Aquifer of local interest.

2.3. Water Management

The management of water resources in aridand semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean, as is

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Fig. 5. Origin of the water supplied by AMAEM.

the case of Alicante, is a complex task involvingmany hydrological, environmental andmanagement factors that must be taken intoconsideration in order to maintain a supply ofwater sufficient to ensure basic standards of livingand environmental protection. Periods ofdrought, which are so frequent in theMediterranean area, make the above task yetmore demanding. As these phenomena areunpredictable, both in occurrence and induration, forward thinking and preparation arekey elements in reducing their impact.

In this respect, the supply model currentlyused by AMAEM efficiently combines two typesof resources (Fig. 6):– Surface water: this is obtained from the Taibilla

Water Association and therefore AMAEM hasno control over its exploitation. The role ofAMAEM is limited to that of distribution. Abasic characteristic of this type of resource isthe predominance of current extractionvolumes over reserves.

– Groundwater: this is managed by administrativeconcessions for the exploitation of groundwaterlocated in AMAEM’s operating area, extractedfrom wells owned by AMAEM or otherwise.Thus, the company is able to control the wholemanagement cycle, including water extraction,transportation and distribution. For this type ofwater resource, contrary to the previous case,reserves are more abundant than currentextraction levels.This system of combining the use of surface

and groundwater has made it possible toestablish a means of reliably supplying water.Such reliability is essential for the presentsituation, in which demand is constantlyincreasing in Alicante and nearby towns andvillages. Uninterrupted supplies of potable watercan be guaranteed, even in particularly difficultperiods such as the present, by the use of bothsurface water and reserves of groundwater, builtup during periods of lower demand.

This guaranteed supply is based uponappropriate, effective management for thesimultaneous use of the two types of waterresource and on their integration with otherwater-management techniques such as the use ofalternative sources of water for non-potableapplications, the implementation of watermarkets, demand management, recycling

technologies, etc. Also crucial is correct planningfor the effects of changes that may occur in thefuture concerning water demand and availability.

2.3.1. Management of groundwater resources

The high degree of effectiveness achieved byAMAEM in the management of undergroundresources is based on its extensive understandingof the medium in which it operates. The followingaspects, therefore, are fundamental in theassessment of groundwater resources:

Exhaustive knowledge of the aquifers that aretapped, obtained by:– developing accurate methods and techniques

for calculating recharge and its variability intime and space, under the varying conditionsencountered in the aquifers exploited.Precipitation levels are recorded at thecompany’s own meteorological stations, inaddition to those run by other public bodies.

– using newly-developed geophysical techniquesfor surface and depth exploration, tocharacterise the water-bearing properties of thesoil, the boundaries of the aquifer and thearrangement of the different aquifer horizons;thus, it is possible to extend our knowledge ofthe reality of the aquifers, their area, volume,available reserves and potential for exploitation.Optimising the exploitation and distribution of

groundwater, by the following means:– using the latest technology for the design,

drilling, construction, development and

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Fig. 6. Hydrogeological Control System.

disinfection of wells, together with theinstallation of machinery and otherinfrastructures. Using specialist techniques forthe renovation of wells under variousforeseeable circumstances, in order tomaximise the useful life of the wells exploitedfor potable water supply. Moreover,sophisticated techniques are used to protect thedrilling installations, with real-time remotecontrol of the main operational parameters,such as phase consumption, F cosine,temperature and amperage, thus providing allpossible guarantees of production continuity,limiting as far as possible the consequences ofpossible technical problems with regard to theavailability of the water supplied.

– using an “Integral Extraction Control System”,consisting of automated software that makes useof exploitation data – static and dynamic levels,extraction rates, volumes, electricityconsumption, etc. – obtained by thecorresponding sensors and transmitted via theremote control system (Fig. 7), to evaluate thestate of the impeller pumps. Different states ofalarm have been established to reflectcorresponding operating deficiencies. Thiswhole system is integrated into ahydrogeological GIS system, which includes, inaddition to data concerning exploitationsystems, hydrochemical data, pumping tests,lithological columns and construction schemes,characteristics of the pipelines and their controlmechanisms (troughs, vents, discharge, etc.).

– using a battery of tests, both to obtain the realcharacteristic curves of the hydraulic component

of the impeller pumps (which are subsequentlyemployed by the Integral Extraction ControlSystem) and to check that repairs have beencarried out correctly by the workshopscontracted for this purpose, thus ensuringoptimum effectiveness of the machinery that isrepaired and the selection of the most efficientworkshops to perform such repairs.

– using the most up-to-date techniques andmethodologies to detect leaks and to repairand renovate distribution conduits, by thesemeans obtaining the maximum possible outputand minimising the exploitation volumesrequired to satisfy the demand for potablewater by the population to be supplied. Lossrates are minimised by means of exhaustivecontrols both of inputs to and outputs fromwater conduits, backed up by differentialcapacity techniques.Appropriate management of the various

aquifer systems involved in the production ofpotable water is ensured by the following:– the use of aquifer management systems,

controlling both the evolution of currentsupplies and reserves, for normal use and foremergency situations, taking into accountpossible consequences of the exploitation onthe quantity and quality of water resources.

– the evaluation of the consequences of intensiveexploitation of aquifers, including severe falls inpiezometric levels, changes in water qualityarising both naturally and as a result of humanaction, the preparation of emergency plans forperiods of drought, and other extremesituations. The development of modellingtechniques for the sustainable exploitation ofthese aquifers, with special emphasis on themeasures required to protect them, such asprotection of the immediate surroundings of theinstallation, the creation of inventories ofpotentially dangerous activities in the vicinity,proposals for a protection perimeter , etc.

– the use of automation models for productionselection criteria. By examination of the manyvariables that may influence the choice of theorigin of the water to be exploited, among thevarious boreholes that are available, theselection process is automatised, taking intoconsideration the demand requirements and theparticular conditions affecting each borehole,such as the piezometric level, the chemical

16

Fig. 7. Remote Control System.

quality of the water, the maximum extractionvolume, the interaction with other boreholesbeing exploited, etc. Thus, at all times, theproduction system adopted is the most rationalone and, at the same time, the one enablinggreatest energy savings.

– the use of alternative sources for the supply ofpotable water, including shallow groundwaterderived from small local aquifers beneath urbanareas and surface water proceeding from localwater-treatment plants, to satisfy water demandsfor secondary applications such as the irrigationof green spaces, street cleaning and other usesthat do not require adherence to such high levelsof chemical quality as is the case with waterintended for human consumption.

2.3.2. Management of water resources inextreme situations

Special attention should be paid to the water-supply measures that are utilised in managingavailable resources under extraordinarycircumstances of drought, of severe over-exploitation of aquifers or similar situations ofspecial need, urgency or the coincidence ofanomalous or exceptional situations. Suchmeasures should make it possible to minimise theeffects of any water shortage, particularly thenegative consequences on the populationreceiving the supply. The above extremeparameters are listed in the Emergency Plan forDrought Situations drawn up by AMAEM incompliance with the 10/2001 Act, whichregulates the National Hydrological Plan. Article27 of this law sets out the fundamental aspects ofthe management plan for droughts, comprisingtwo basic pillars:– DEMAND MANAGEMENT: aimed at saving

water by the application of voluntarymeasures, fundamentally consisting of publicinformation and education and awarenesscampaigns, together with client management,rationalisation of uses, information campaignsand school campaigns. Also considered areobligatory measures, involving prohibitionsand sanctions, including the possiblemodification of tariffs.

– SUPPLY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES: under Article56 of the consolidated text of the 2001 Water

Act, and mainly intended to improveguarantees of supply, by means of thefollowing: – increasing available volumes of water in

existing wells, by applying techniques for therenovation and stimulation of boreholes. Inthis respect, stimulation programmes will beintensified and boreholes will be developed inorder to obtain a constant supply of water withthe lowest possible fall in levels, thus enablingan appropriate equilibrium betweenelectricity consumption and production.Moreover, and what is more important, therate of descent of piezometric levels should bemoderated, tin order to enable the bestpossible guarantees of supply.

– the incorporation of alternative water flows,by the bringing onto stream of reserveboreholes, by increasing the use of recycledwater and by extracting non-potable waterfor secondary uses. Additionally, thenegotiation of temporary rights of water use,the utilisation of a centre for the exchangeof such rights, and the start up of the Júcar-Vinalopó transfer scheme, when it becomesavailable.

– the temporary increase in exploitationvolumes established in the assignmentsdetermined by the corresponding WaterCatchment Area body. Using new sources ofgroundwater to be incorporated into thesupply system and used, on specificoccasions, to increase the volume of watersupplied and the total water availabilityassigned to the concession, to be applied onlyin extraordinary circumstances of drought.Such measures would not, in practice,constitute a permanent increase in the waterresources intended for supplying thepopulation.

– the increase in the efficiency of waterdistribution, intensifying measures tocontrol leaks, which is a factor of vitalimportance in improving the performanceof the potable water distribution network .


1- Aguas de Alicante Empresa Mixta - 2005

17

3. THE CANAL DE ALICANTEDESALINATION PLANT

3.1. Location

The facility is located at a place calledAguamarga, within the town limits of Alicante,close to the N-332 road and is part of theVinalopó-Alacantí Exploitation System.

3.2. Objective of the visit

The Canal de Alicante Desalination Plantforms part of a joint execution programme for theconstruction of four Desalination Plants whichwill provide ca. 80Mm3 of desalinated water tothe hydraulic system of the Taibilla WaterAssociation, an autonomous body within theSpanish Ministry of the Environment that isresponsible for delivering the essential publicservice of drinking water supply to a populationof about 2 million inhabitants (nearly 3 millionduring the summer) of 77 municipalities, 32 ofwhich are located in the Alicante province (over50% of the population), while another 43 belongto the Region of Murcia (all except Yecla andJumilla) and 2 (Férez and Socovos) to the Castilla-La Mancha Autonomous Community.

The objective sought by the Ministry of theEnvironment with this programme is to guarantee,complementarily with the potential resourcescoming from other transfers between basins (Júcar-Vinalopó transfer), the present and future supply forthe corresponding population nuclei.

3.3. Description of the facility

The Canal de Alicante Desalination Plant (Fig. 8)produces 18Mm3 of desalinated water every yearand has worked on a concession contract basisduring a 15-year period, just the same as the NuevoCanal de Cartagena Desalination Plant (24Mm3 peryear), located in the coast of Murcia. Theprogramme is completed with two newdesalination actions identified as ‘Enlargements ofthe Desalination Plants of the Taibilla WaterAssociation in Alicante and Murcia’ in theInvestment Annex of the Spanish National WaterPlan.

The Ministry of the Environment’s Waters andCoasts Department gave the concession of theCanal de Alicante seawater desalination plant tothe Temporary Enterprise Consortium formed byFERROVIAL-AGROMAN S.A., NECSO ENTRE-CANALES CUBIERTAS S.A., INFILCO S.A. andCADAGUA S.A. Technical assistance for workmanagement was provided by PROINTEC S.A.

The Canal de Alicante seawater desalinationplant produces 50,000 m3 of drinking water daily(Table 3) which are incorporated into the Canalde Alicante of the Taibilla Basin WaterAssociation upstream from the Elche supplyintake point. The facility is located at a placecalled Aguamarga, within the town limits ofAlicante, close to the N-332 road. The waterdischarges are consumed directly in the Elche,Santa Pola, Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeigmunicipalities.

The Desalination Plant consists of thefollowing units:– Seawater intake point– Desalination Plant– Desalinated water impulsion unit – Regulatory deposit and connection to the

Canal de Alicante– Reject water spill unit

3.3.1. Seawater intake point

The seawater intake point is located near thedesalination facility, in the maritime-terrestrialpublic domain protection area. Water catchmentis carried out through a battery of 18 wells, ineach one of which a waterproof pump with an upto 360m3/h at 28 mwc pumping capacity hasbeen installed. The water is sent to the plantthrough a 1,100-mm in diameter, 677-meter longGFRP duct.

The 2,500-kVA power installed is suppliedfrom a transformation centre (20,000/380 volt)located near the battery of wells, where theintake point local control systems are placed.

3.3.2. Desalination plant

Pre-treatment:– Seawater pre-treatment guarantees the

optimum (physical and chemical) condition of

18

19

Fig. 8. Stop 1: Canal de Alicante Desalination Plant. Location.

the water fed to the desalination process. At theCanal de Alicante Desalination Plant (Figs. 9and 10), the high quality of the intake waterrequires minimum pre-treatment. Nevertheless,the following stages are fulfilled in order toguarantee the good functioning of the process:

– Dosification of a disinfectant (sodiumhypochlorite).

– Dosification of a coagulant (ferric chloride).– Filtration on a stone-free-layer siliceous sand

bed.10 6.60 by 10.95-m filters on a plant with a1.00-m filtrating bed and a 6m3/h/m2 surfacefiltration speed.

– Filtrated seawater intermediate pumping.6 split chamber centrifugal pumps with a1,150m3/h at 30 mwc speed variator.

– Dosification of an acidificant (sulphuric acid).– Dosification of a dispersant (sodium hexa-

metaphosphate).– Security filtration.

6 pressure filters with 5 um. passage sectionpolypropilene cartridges

– Free residual chlorine reduction prior to themembrane (sodium bisulphite).

Desalination:Desalination was carried out using the reverse

osmosis process. Seven membrane frames withthe following characteristics were installed to thatend:

20

Fig. 9. Panoramic view of the plant

Fig. 10. Processing facilities.

– Frame unitary production: 7,200m3/day.– No. of modules: 100– No. of membranes per module: 7– Conversion: 42%– Permeate salinity < 400mg/l

The basic characteristics of the membranesused are:– Type of membrane: spiral rolling-up– Material: crossed tissue aromatic polyamide– Standard productivity: 19m3/day– Salts reject: 99.75%– Maximum operation pressure: 700 mwc.

Associated to each frame are arranged 7 high-pressure trains for system energy supply andrecovery. They include the followingcomponents:– Centrifugal split chamber high pressure pump

(760 m3/h at 700 mwc, 1,709 kW)– Electric engine (engine power 1,120 kW, 6,000

volt)– Pelton-type recovery turbine (440m3/h at 640

mwc, 732 kW)The total power installed for the supply to

high-pressure trains amounts to 13,500 kVa.

Post-treatment:Seawater post-treatment makes it possible to

guarantee compliance with the criteriaestablished for human consumption waters by theregulations in force. In the Canal de AlicanteDesalination Plant, post-treatment consists of aremineralisation to increase the pH through thedosification of calcium hydroxide, and thedosification of sodium hypochlorite to ensureadequate residual disinfectant levels.

The said post-treatment is carried out in asmall reinforced concrete deposit with a 2,200m3

capacity located in the plot of land occupied bythe Desalination Plant.

3.3.3. Desalinated water impulsion

The desalinated water produced is pumped byfour 680m3/h at 195 mwc groups toward theElche regulatory deposit (Fig. 11). Transport iscarried out through a two-stretch duct with thefollowing characteristics:– Stretch I. From the Desalination Plant to the Canal

de Alicante, near the Santa Pola branch lineintake point. Executed with a 1,100mm in

diameter and 8,300m-long helico-welded steelpipe.

– Stretch II. Attached to the Canal de Alicante upto the Elche regulatory deposit. Executed witha 700mm in diameter and 13,625m ductilecast iron pipe.

3.3.4. Regulatory deposit

Located in the vicinity of Elche and close tothe Canal de Alicante, it is executed in reinforcedconcrete and has two chambers with a totalcapacity of 50,000m3. It takes up an area of10,000m2 and the maximum layer height is5.50m.

3.3.5. Reject water discharge

Seeking to reduce the environmental impact ofreject water as much as possible, various studieshave been carried out by the Centro de Estudiosy Experimentación de Obras Públicas (CEDEX),with the participation of the University ofAlicante. Those studies materialised in the directspill, through a 1,800mm in diameter GFRP pipeat a coastal spot located 1 km away from theDesalination Plant -direction Alicante- (Cala delas Borrachos). This has no environmental impactdue to the characteristics of the sea bottom andthe distance to the beginning of the PosidoniaOceanica prairie (over 1,600m.). The greatrespect for the environment which prevails in theactions of the public administrations will lead tothe strict compliance with all the preventive andcorrective measures imposed by the competentenvironmental bodies.

21

Fig. 11. Filtrated water pumping.


1- Spanish Ministry of the Environment. Secretaría deEstado de Aguas y Costas (“National Secretariat forWater and Coastline Administration”). DirecciónGeneral de Obras Hidráulicas y Calidad de lasAguas (“General Directorate for Hydraulic Worksand Water Quality”), 2005.

22

Table 3. Basic facility characteristics. Canal de Alicante Desalination Plant.

4. THE CREVILLENTE RESERVOIR

4.1. Location

The Crevillente Reservoir is located in theGarganta gully, at a place called Castell Vell. Itlies about 2km away from the town ofCrevillente, on route N-330 (left-hand side),which connects the towns of Crevillente andAspe (Fig. 12).


Visiting this reservoir is interesting for anumber of reasons: Firstly, participants willbecome familiar with another water regulationand supply system of the region under study.Secondly, this reservoir is part of the inter-basinTajo-Segura water transfer system (Fig. 13).Finally, participants will see the seaside andlower Vinalopó valley, thus gaining a full pictureof the hydrological complexity of this region andof the local environmental/socioeconomic unitsthat compete for the water resources.

4.3. The Tajo-Segura water transfer andthe Crevillente reservoir

The Crevillente reservoir is comprised withinthe Segura River basin, an “artery” that drains anarea of 19,000km2. That basin includes otherminor basins, all of which flow into theMediterranean Sea.

Given the mild climate of this basin, locatedby the Mediterranean coast, and its highpopulation density from ancient times, the needto stop the hydrological deficit of South-EastSpain became clear already in the first half of the20th century. That called for the construction ofinfrastructures that regulate water uses and bringwater supplies from other regions.

The project of building a water transfer ductfrom the Tajo River basin to the Segura basinbegan to take shape in 1966. The project wasapproved on August 2, 1968. The governmentthen granted authorisation for all the requiredconstruction work, which effectively started in1978 based on the 52/1980 Act, which set the

financial and exploitation conditions for the Tajo-Segura aqueduct.

In the first phase of the Tajo-Segura transferscheme, a number of infrastructures wereconstructed in order to channel an estimatedvolume of 600hm3 per year. The infrastructuresare divided in four parts.

The first part involves the impulsion of waterfrom the Bolarque reservoir to the La Bujedaregulatory deposit (overcoming a landunevenness of 270m.) In part 2, a 92km canalcarries the water from the La Bujeda deposit tothe Alarcón reservoir.

The waters flow until the Alarcón afterbayreservoir, where the waters are channelled to ElPicazo waterfall. Part three of the aqueductbegins in the loading chamber of the saidwaterfall, namely yet another canal 97km inlength. This is an uncovered canal which linksdirectly to the Talave tunnel (part 4), whichcrosses the divide line between the Júcar andSegura basins.

Once in the Segura basin, the waters flowalong the Mundo River (Talave and Camarillasreservoirs) and the Segura River, on to the Ojósweir. This is the key site in the Segura basin for thedistribution of water coming from the Tajo River.The Ojós weir forks into two canals (one in eachbank). The canal on the right-hand sidedistributes the water to the southern part ofMurcia and Andalusia. The left canal has acapacity of 30m3 per second. It carries the waterfor 27km until it reaches a distributor that forksinto two canals. One of them continues on to LaPedrera reservoir. The other one, called theCrevillente Canal (Fig. 14), connects with theCrevillente regulatory deposit. That deposit is the“tail” reservoir of the said canal and also thesource for Riegos de Levante (“MediterraneanIrrigation Service”) on the left bank.

This is a high-capacity canal, as it begins in theleft-hand side of the distributor accepting17m3/second. After several tributes, it feeds theCrevillente reservoir with 10m3 of water persecond. This means that, at full capacity, thecanal can supply the Crevillente reservoir withapproximately 300Mm3 per year. Its unusedtransport capacity is no less than 200hm3/year.

The Crevillente reservoir constitutes one of themain regulatory components of the entireinfrastructure connecting with the Tajo-Segura

23

24

Fig. 12. Stop 2 - Crevillente Reservoir. Location.

25

Fig. 13. The Inter Basin Link - Tajo - Segura.

Fig. 14. The Crevillente Canal

aqueduct. It has a capacity of 13.5Mm3. Its damis 55m high. The wall is 360m wide at the top. Itwas built as a rubblemound breakwater. It floodsa vast area of orthoclinal passages, rockfaces andbackslopes located in the foothills of theCrevillente range. Ever since it started to operate(in 1985) and to accept water through the Tajo-Segura transfer, the semi-arid surroundings havegained in value as a recreational area. Secondresidential areas have been built.

According to the original project, the reservoirwas meant to administer an estimated 125Mm3 ofwater received from the large Tajo-Segura transferso as to meet the water needs of the LowerVinalopó and Greater Alicante areas.

The Crevillente Canal has been repaired in thepast few years. Emergency repair works orderedby the Segura River Water Authority willpresumably be completed by the end of 2005.The objectives of such repairs were: 1) to put anend to the water losses caused by the presence ofcracks due to recent canal filling and emptyingactivities given the unsteady water supply for

irrigation purposes; and 2) to fix the sections thatrisked collapsing. In addition, the access of waterto the reservoir has been improved with fourpumps in order to provide the supply networkthat serves the population nuclei with the highestpossible volume of water. Recent works by Riegosde Levante have enhanced the accesses to thedam and also the pressure irrigation intakes andsystems.

4.4. The Automatic HydrologicalInformation System (SAIH) of theSegura River basin

The General Directorate for Hydraulic Worksof the Ministry of Public Works andTransportation is carrying out, through the Segura(Fig. 16), the construction and bringing on line ofan Automatic Hydrological Information System(S.A.I.H) in the 18,900km2 region served by theSegura Water Authority.

26

Fig. 15. Panoramic view of the Crevillente Reservoir.

The system permits:– data collection, by sensors installed at various

control points located throughout the basin.– the transmission of these data from the control

points to data concentration points, by way of aradio based communication network.

– the storage, processing and computermonitoring of these local data at theconcentration points.

– the transmission of these data from theconcentration points to the final receptioncentre.

– the storage, processing and numeric and graphicmonitoring of all the data from the river basin atthe Murcia data processing centre, where theheadquarters are located.

– the complete process of data collection,transmission, reception and storage in thecomputer at the Murcia headquarters isautomatically updated every five minutes, andthe central operator can change this period forevery point.A system of these characteristics will be of

great aid for the decision making both in day-to-day operation and under flood conditions, whenthe availability of real-time hydrological data canbe critical (Tables 4 and 5).

Moreover, it will permit an efficient way for thestorage of hydrological databases in the basin,and the maintenance of hydrological records.

REPEATER STATIONSMurcia – Hurchillo – Serratilla – AtalayaRicote – Selva – Puentes – CarrascoyTaibilla – Santiago de la EspadaElche de la Sierra – La LosaSanta Ana – CenajoCollado del Carril – Caravaca – El Ardal

DATA CONCENTRATION POINTS01 Murcia02 Ojós03 Camarillas04 Cenajo05 Puentes06 Cartagena07 La Pedrera

At present, this SAIH is being implemented bymeans of configuring a comprehensivehydrological information system that will coverboth conventional and unconventional resourcesand allow real-time information retrieval. Thegoal is not only to improve the planning andmanagement tasks that are carried out by thewater authorities, but also such tasks performedby water users, in line with the objectives set bythe Water Framework Directive.

4.5. Power supply

The network’s electronic systems are poweredby batteries capable of functioning autonomouslyand without recharging for 10 days.

These batteries are recharged by photovoltaicpanels where commercial power line is notavailable. In other zones, they are hooked up tothe electrical power supply network.

4.6. Civil works

Besides the installation of electronic andcomputer equipment, many civil works havebeen carried out throughout the basin both tohouse/support equipment and to create structureswhere hydraulic flow measurements can betaken.

The electromechanic equipment as well asdata receivers and transmitters have been housedin prefabricated sheds designed especially for theproject.

27

Table 4. Checkpoints

Table 5. SENSOR TYPES

These sheds are equipped with a security doorwith intruder alarm, and the entire installation issurrounded by a metal fence. Where necessary,the sheds have been elevated above potentialextraordinary flood levels.

Concrete frames, adapted to the topographyand characteristics of the area, have been builtalong certain sections of rivers, gullies andcanals. These, along with periodical updating ofrating curves with flowmeters, permit theobtention of sufficiently accurate, reliable flowand water level data.

Already existing hydraulic installations,modified to meet the system’s objectives, havebeen used in some cases.

Likewise, service roads have been built oralready-existing roads improved to permit accessto outlying, isolated areas.

4.7 Bibliography and sources

1 Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (Segura RiverWater Authority). Dirección General de ObrasHidráulicas (“General Directorate for HydraulicWorks”). Ministry of the Environment. 2005.

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Fig. 16. SAIH in the Crevillente Canal & Reservoir.

5. GALERÍA DE LOS SUIZOS

5.1. Location

The Galería de los Suizos (Fig. 17) is located inthe Algueda ravine, at the Southwest extremity ofthe Crevillente Mountain Range (UTMCoordinates: X=683.500; Y=4235.700). Access isvia a path towards the east starting shortly beforeKm. 9 of the CV-873 local road that links thevillages of Albatera and Hondón de los Frailes .


We will take advantage of this stop to visit theouter part of Galería de los Suizos. This is aunique installation for the extraction ofgroundwater, and one of the main extractionpoints from the Crevillente aquifer.

5.3. Description of the visit

5.3.1. The Crevillente aquifer and the Galeríade los Suizos

The Crevillente aquifer, in the Southwest of theprovince of Alicante, occupies a surface area ofalmost 140km2. The main areas of high land inthis region are the mountain ranges ofCrevillente, Algayat-Rollo and Reclot (Fig. 18). Itis a carbonate aquifer constituted of a sequenceof over 500m of limestones, dolomitic limestonesand Jurassic dolomites belonging to the sub-BeticDomain, arranged tectonically in the Prebeticdomain of the Betic Mountain Range. In the intra-mountain basins left by the carbonate rocks thereoutcrop sub-Betic Cretaceous marls that form animpermeable top. The impermeable layer at thebase is made up of the clays associated withTriassic evaporitic rocks (Pulido-Bosch andFernández Rubio, 1981; Murcia and Mira, 1981)or by a non-transmissive strip of silt-clay matter ofa limestone-dolomitic type that resulted from thecrushing of aquiferous rock in the area of sub-Betic overthrusting (Andreu, 1997).

The intensive exploitation of this aquifer beganin the 1960s, when water was extracted fromboth ends of the Crevillente Range. One of themain extraction sectors was in the vicinity of

Hondón de los Frailes; the most noteworthyaspect of this was the fact that most of the waterpumped out was done so via a gallery branchingout from the southern face of Crevillente Rangewithin the town limits of Albatera (Fig. 18). Thisgallery is called Riesgos de la Salud, though it isbetter known as Galería de los Suizos, due to theintervention of Swiss nationals in its design andconstruction (Fig. 19).

The realisation of this project resulted from amodification of the initial project proposed by theRiesgos de la Salud company to extract 5 m3/sfrom the aquifer, through a vertical well drillednear the village of Hondón de los Frailes, as largevolumes of water were believed to lie in thisregion (Andreu et al., 2005). This belief wasfounded on the hypothesis that the Jurassiccarbonate materials of this aquifer werehydraulically connected to other carbonatestructures further north, extending as far as theregion of La Mancha. Thus, one of the main exitflows of the aquifer in the latter zone would bethrough the Hondón basin towards theimpermeable Triassic formation of the AlbateraRange and Crevillente Range (Fig. 19).

The most singular aspect of this gallery is that itdoes not drain water in the normal way; on thecontrary, it contains vertical shafts through whichwater flows and is released to the soil, thus flowingfreely by gravity towards the mouth (Fig. 20).

5.3.2. Main features of the Galería

The gallery entrance is at an altitude of about250m a.s.l. and it extends some 2,360m withinthe rock formations, such that it completelypenetrates the Crevillente Mountain Range andreaches the valley of Hondón de los Frailes. Thefirst 700m of the tunnel are lined with concrete,after which there is just bare rock except for acement floor. The tunnel is 2.5-3m wide andabout 3.5m high, and its average gradient is 1 perthousand.

From a hydrogeological standpoint, the shaftbegins in Tertiary white marls, of an impermeabletype (Fig. 20). After this stage, it passes through asection made up basically of calcarenites andconglomerates that also belong to the Tertiary era.When it was drilled, the water-filled sectionswere emptied of liquid. After these detritic

29

30

Fig. 17. Stop 3: Galería de los Suizos. Location.

31

Fig.18. Location of the Crevillente aquifer, the pumping sectors and Galería de los Suizos.

Fig. 19. Entrance to Galería de los Suizos.

materials, the tunnel passes through an area ofTriassic gypsum (Keuper), on the southern slopesof the Crevillente Range, which comprises thesouthern boundary of the Crevillente aquifer.None of these materials can be observed withinthe gallery, because they lie within the sector ofcoffer outcropping).

Beyond the zone that is covered over, we cansee the cutting of the grey Liassic dolomites(Andreu et al., 2002) that make up the Crevillenteaquifer s. str. The main characteristic of theserocks is their high degree of tectonisation andformation of breccia. Fractures and diaclases canbe observed throughout the gallery, some of thesebeing open and karstified. According to availablehistorical records, during the drilling of this sectorvarious points of water springs were seen (Andreuet al., 2005).

At the end of the gallery, the dolomites comeinto contact with limestones, via a fault that lowersthe northernmost block. The limestones, too, arestrongly tectonised and brecciated, giving rise to a

significant amount of secondary porosity. Alsonotable are the very many fractures filled withcalcite precipitates, as well as the greaterproportion of open fractures (in comparison withthe dolomite sector), some of which exceed 50cmin width. Some of these open fractures are filledwith rock fragments that constitute genuineconglomerates. The different rock faces bear acalcite film that joins them and provides evidenceof the passage of carbonate-saturated water.

5.3.3. Exploitation of water from the Galería

When the construction of the gallery ended in1964, water ceased to emerge naturally and itwas necessary to create vertical passages to pumpout water to the surface. This means of exploitingthe water remains in use today.

In total, 12 extraction points were drilled.These were initially quite shallow and produceda considerable volume of water. However, the

32

Fig. 20. Hydrogeological scheme of the Galería. The numbered boreholes correspond to the present-dayextraction points.

lowering of water levels that has occurred overthe years has given rise to the loss of output fromsome of the drillings within the gallery. Althoughthey were further deepened, in some cases tomore than 300m, not all of them have regainedthe initial flow volumes, which is why today onlyfour pumps remain in use, the others having beenabandoned. The current pumping capacity is350l/s (Fig. 21). The water extracted is mainlyused to irrigate various areas within theboundaries of Albatera, Crevillente, Elche,Hondón de los Frailes and Orihuela.

For several decades, this was the only pointwhere the aquifer was exploited at its westernend. The volume of water extracted varied overtime, with the greatest amount being producedbetween 1970 and 1985, when pumping ratesexceeded 10Mm3/year, with 18.1Mm3 beingextracted in 1980 (Pulido-Bosch, 1985); in recentyears, however, rates have not exceeded4hm3/year.

The large volumes of water extracted from thegallery, together with those from the rest of theaquifer, produced a fall in water levels of over200m in this part of the aquifer.

5.3.4. Characteristics of the water in theGalería

With respect to the physico-chemicalcharacteristics that are currently present in thewater pumped from the gallery, it is notable thatthe electrical conductivity ranges from 2600 to2900sµS/cm, and that the facies is sodiumchloride (Table 6). This latter feature, which ischaracteristic of the water throughout theCrevillente aquifer, has been interpreted asresulting from the dissolution of the Keuperevaporites (Pulido-Bosch et al., 1995; Andreu,1997). However, the water in the gallery isdifferent from that in other sectors of the aquifer,

33

Fig. 21. Water extraction via boreholes within the Galería.

in that its sulphate content exceeds 450mg/l,while in the other sectors the correspondingvalue is usually below 350mg/l. These differencescould be due to lithological variations of thevarious Keuper facies, these being more gypsum-rich in the vicinity of the gallery.

Finally, note that the high degree ofmineralisation of the water seems to have existedsince the start of its exploitation, as the water thatwas drained during the drilling of the gallerypresented chloride values of 410mg/l (Andreu etal., 2002). On the basis of this initial value, andas a result of the desaturation of the aquifer in thissector, there would have occurred an increase inthe mineralisation to values of over 600 mg/L, ascurrently recorded. However, this increase in thesaline concentration would have taken placebefore the 1990s, because there have been nosignificant variations in the chemicalcharacteristics of the water since then.


Andreu. J. M. (1997). Contribución de lasobreexplotación al conocimiento de los acuíferoskársticos de Crevillente, Cid y Cabeçó d’Or(provincia de Alicante). Doctoral Thesis:Universidad de Alicante, 377pp.

Andreu, J. M., Estévez, A., García-Sánchez, E. &Pulido-Bosch, A. (2002). Caracterización de laexplotación en el sector occidental del acuífero deCrevillente (Alicante). Geogaceta, 31: 59-62.

Andreu, J. M., Estévez, A., García-Sánchez, E. andPulido-Bosch, A. (2005). La explotación delacuífero de Crevillente mediante la Galería de losSuizos. Congr. Nac. de Gestión del Agua enCuencas Deficitarias. Orihuela (Alicante), October-2000: 57-62.

Murcia, A. and Mira, F. (1981). Problemas de lasobreexplotación de acuíferos. 4ª Conf. Nac.Hidrol. Gen. Aplic, Zaragoza: 79-109.

Pulido-Bosch, A. (1985). L’exploitation minière del’eau dans l’aquifère de la Sierra de Crevillente etses alentours (Alicante, Spain) “Hydrogeology in theService of Man. 18th Cong. IAH, Cambridge: 142-149.

Pulido-Bosch. A. & Fernández Rubio, R. (1981). Elacuífero kárstico de la Sierra de Crevillente ysectores adyacentes: un ejemplo de explotación dereservas. 4ª Conf. Nac. Hidrol. Gen. y Aplic.: 143-153.

Pulido-Bosch, A., Morell, I. and Andreu, J.M. (1995).Hydrogeochemical effects of groundwater mining ofthe Sierra de Crevillente Aquifer (Alicante, Spain).Environ. Geol., 26: 232-239.

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Table 6. Physico-chemical characteristics of thewater. Summary of the hydrogeochemicalcharacteristics of the water from Galería de losSuizos (October 2005). M: mean; SD: standarddeviation; E.C.: electric conductivity µS/cm; T:temperature in ºC; ions in mg/L.

6. VISIT TO BARRANCO ANDPOZOS DEL TOLOMÓ ANDTHE FEDERAL RESERVOIR

6.1. Location

The Barranco del Tolomó is a small ravine thatstarts from the northeast sector of the CrevillenteMountain Range, continues as far as the basin ofVega de Aspe and then, its water flows into theRiver Tarafa (a tributary of the River Vinalopó).Access to the site (coordinates UTM: X=690.800;Y=4241.900) is by means of the track providingaccess to the quarries situated at Puntal de Ors,which leads southwards and starts atapproximately the 4Km point on the CV-845local road that links the villages of Aspe andHondón de las Nieves.


One of the main aims of this stop is to visit theother historical sector of importance in theexplotation of the Crevillente aquifer. Thus, wehope to carry out a brief review of the mainconsequences of the intensive water exploitationthat has taken place in this part of the aquifer. Inaddition, we shall visit the Federal reservoir,which is an example of the storage and regulationof groundwater practiced by the users of thisaquifer.

6.3. Description of the visit

6.3.1. The exploitation of Barranco del Tolomó

The Barranco del Tolomó and its surroundingshave been one of the main areas in which theCrevillente aquifer has been exploited (Fig. 23).The extraction of groundwater in this area goesback to the late 1950s (Asencio, 1982). Initially,the installations for this purpose were located atthe foot of the mountain range, on Quaternaryrocks in the Vega, and were therefore beyond theCrevillente aquifer. However, from the 1960s and1970s, and as a consequence of the high rates offlow volume obtained from the boreholes overJurassic carbonate materials, the activity spread

up the valley to reach the vicinity of Hondón delas Nieves. The water pumped from this part ofthe aquifer was used to irrigate land that hadpreviously been uncultivated, in themunicipalities of Aspe, Hondón de las Nieves,Elche and Crevillente. To a lesser extent, thewater was also extracted for humanconsumption.

It has been estimated that, in all, this sector ofthe aquifer there came to be more than 30extraction points, reaching pumping rates of over600l/s. The maximum level of pumping from theTolomó sector was reached in 1979 when a totalof 13.5Mm3 was pumped out. However, thisintensive exploitation has led to theabandonment of most of the pumps, and so todayonly 7 are still functioning with a reasonabledegree of reliability. Mean extraction rates inrecent years have been less than 2Mm3/year, andthe most common use for the water from thissector has been for agriculture.

6.3.2. The consequences of intensiveexploitation in Barranco del Tolomó

The intensive exploitation of the groundwaterin this part of the aquifer has provoked a series ofconsequences. From the hydrogeological point ofview, the following are the most significant:severe falls in the piezometric level, adeterioration in water quality and a loss of outputfrom the pumps.

Since the outset of this exploitation, decreasesin the piezometric level began to occur. Thedecreases became more and more severe asextraction volumes increased (Fig. 24). The mostimportant decreases took place between 1979and 1983, with falls exceeding 30m. Until then,the piezometric evolution of the aquifer had beentotally comparable between the two main sectorsof exploitation. But after 1983 the behaviourpatterns of the two zones began to differ; this hasbeen interpreted as the result of a possibledisconnection or, at least, a reduction in thehydraulic communication between the two endsof the Crevillente Range (Corchón et al., 1989;Andreu, 1997). Thus, the piezometric evolutionof the Tolomó sector began to register moresevere falls between 1983 and 1988, with relativedecreases of 18m/year. The effect of the rainy

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Fig. 22. Stop 4: Barranco & Pozos del Tolomó (Tolomó gully & wells). Location.

period of 1989-1991 was similarly marked, witha recovery in piezometric levels of over 40m.However, after the early 1990s there begananother period of falling water levels, to depthsthat are currently around 60m b.s.l. As a result,

the total desaturation that has been undergone bythis part of the aquifer since the beginning of itsexploitation has been of approximately 350m.

As regards the chemical characteristics of thewater, it is noteworthy that this area of the aquiferis one of the most severely affected by processesof water quality deterioration, and the one wheremost pumps have had to be abandoned for thisreason. The original physico-chemical charac-teristics of the water in this sector have not beenaccurately determined. The first analytical dataavailable date from 1978. It is from then on thatreasonably regular information has beenrecorded and, therefore, from when we canestablish how intensive exploitation has affectedthe chemical quality of the water. Figure 25shows the evolution of some physico-chemicalparameters at one of the pumps located inBarranco del Tolomó. There seems to be a highdegree of correlation between the pattern ofelectrical conductivity (a parameter that isindicative of the level of mineralisation) and thepiezometry. As the piezometric level falls, the

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Fig. 23. Panoramic view of Barranco del Tolomó. Each of the towers corresponds to the location of the formerelectrical transformers and, thus, to the location of one or more pumping installations.

Fig. 24. Piezometric evolution of the main pumpingsectors in the aquifer.

electrical conductivity of the water rises. Thisincrease in water mineralisation is favouredmainly by its enrichment in chlorides andsodium. Similarly, the effect of the rainy period atthe end of the 1980s was apparent on thechemical characteristics, with a fall in electricalconductivity and in the content of chlorides andsodium.

This pattern of change in the chemical natureof the water seems to be related to geologicalcharacteristics and to the presence of evaporiterocks (Pulido et al., 1995). Thus, in those areaswhere the presence of deep-lying saline rocks isknown, as is the case of this sector of Barrancodel Tolomó, more saline water tends to be foundat the deepest levels (Andreu, 1977).

Finally, another of the consequences affectingthe pumps in this sector has been the loss ofpumping output as water levels fall. Theconsiderable expansion in the number ofextraction points was encouraged by their highproductivity levels. During the 1970s, many of

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Fig. 25. Evolution of some parameters related to waterquality at one of the pumps located in Barranco delTolomó.

Fig. 26. Panoramic view of the Federal reservoir.

the pumps produced water flow volumesexceeding 100l/s. The continual fall in waterlevels has brought about progressive reductionsin the volumes of water extracted. Attempts havebeen made to overcome this by constant re-deepening of the boreholes, but not all the pumpshave recovered their initial output rates and someof them became unproductive and had to beabandoned. At present, 4 of the 5 pumps that SATNo. 3819 retains in activity in Barranco delTolomó achieve output volumes of less than30l/s.

6.3.3. Management initiatives

Given the situation experienced in the 1980s,the Crevillente aquifer was declared“provisionally over-exploited” on July 31, 1987,as set out in the Public Water Domain Law. Thisadministrative situation requires the establishingof a Users’ Association and the presentation of aManagement Plan to attempt to alleviate theeffects of the overexploitation as much aspossible (Aragonés et al., 1989).

Several activities have been implemented inthe Crevillente aquifer since the presentation ofthe Management Plan, although the mostsignificant of these, and the ones that have mostaffected the Barranco del Tolomó sector, havebeen the redistribution of pump sites, the releaseof water flows and the activities of regulatoryprojects.

The redistribution of pump sites consists insiting pumps further from the classical areas ofexploitation, in an attempt to reduce thedepression cone that is caused by aconcentration of pumping points in the samezone and which, thus, aggravates the loss ofoutput and lowers water quality. The setting inoperation of two boreholes located in the centralsector of the aquifer has enabled exploitation inBarranco del Tolomó to be reduced.

Although the water from the Crevillenteaquifer meant for human consumption was muchless than that for agricultural use, thereplacement of this water with supplies obtainedfrom the Taibilla Basin Water Association,

provided to the villages of Aspe and Hondón delas Nieves, involved certain small savings in thewater extracted from the Barranco del Tolomósector.

Finally, another activity carried out has beenthe construction of facilities for the storage andregulation of groundwater, in order to betterexploit the aquifer’s resources. One such facilityis the Federal reservoir, which was createdbetween March 1991 and July 1992 (Fig. 26Photo). This is a reservoir constructed with loosematerials and an asphalt sheet. It has a capacityof 1Mm3, and the dam height is 18m. Thisreservoir has a distribution coverage ofapproximately 3,500ha, mostly dedicated to thecultivation of table grapes. At present, the Tolomóreservoir is mainly filled from the boreholes inBaranco del Tolomó, which functionuninterruptedly from March to September. Thus,SAT No. 3819 has sufficient capacity to respondto the demand for irrigation water during thesummer.


Andreu. J. M. (1997). Contribución de lasobreexplotación al conocimiento de los acuíferoskársticos de Crevillente, Cid y Cabeçó d’Or(provincia de Alicante). Doctoral Thesis Universityof Alicante, 377 pp.

Aragonés, J. M., Corchón, F. & Santafé, J.M. (1989).Planes de ordenación de acuíferos sobreexplotados.La experiencia de la Sierra de Crevillente (Alicante).In: “La Sobreexplotación de Acuíferos” A. Pulido etal. (Eds.), Temas Geológico-Mineros, 10: 177-191.

Asencio, J.P. (1982). Geografía agraria de Aspe. In:Aspe. Antología documental. Inst. Est. Alicantinos.Excma. Dip. Prov. de Alicante: 323-345.

Corchón, F, Rodríguez-Estrella, T. & Sánchez-Almohalla, E. (1989). Datos básicos para larealización del Plan de Ordenación del Acuíferosobreexplotado de Crevillente. In “LaSobreexplotación de Acuíferos” A. Pulido et al.(Eds.), Temas Geológico-Mineros, 10: 471-483.

Pulido-Bosch, A., Morell, I. & Andreu, J.M. (1995).Hydrogeochemical effects of groundwater mining ofthe Sierra de Crevillente Aquifer (Alicante, Spain).Environ. Geol., 26: 232-239.

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7. LIST OF COLLABORATORSAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our gratitude to thefollowing institutions for their collaboration withthe organisers:

AGUAS DE ALICANTE EMPRESA MIXTA(Alicante Municipal Water Company)

DESALADORA CANAL DE ALICANTE-Mancomunidad de Canales del Taibilla. MMA.(Canal de Alicante Desalination Plant – TaibillaBasin Water Association)

CONFEDERACIÓN HIDROGRÁFICA DELJUCAR. (Júcar River Water Authority)

OFICINA DE PLANIFICACIÓN HIDROLÓGICADEL JÚCAR – (Júcar Hydrological PlanningOffice)

CONFEDERACIÓN HIDROGRÁFICA DELSEGURA. (Segura River Water Authority) -Fernando Toledano

President (Favian García) and management ofSAT # 3569 – ALBATERA

SAT # 3819 - VIRGEN DE LAS NIEVES DE ASPE-Mr. Miguel Millán, manager

ALBATERA TOWN COUNCIL.VILLENA TOWN COUNCIL.

Organisers of this technical field trip and authorsof this informative briefing:

Concepción Bru Ronda – University of AlicanteJosé Miguel Andreu Rodes – University ofAlicante

Graphs and location maps: José Manuel Mira Martínez – University ofAlicante

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Fig. 27. The Vinalopó River as it flows through the town of Novelda. The main activities of the town are marbleprocessing and table grape growing.

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Fig. 28. Municipality and dry lagoon of Salinas. Higher Vinalopó.

Fig. 29. Villena. Higher Vinalopó basin. Site of the final round-table and final stop in the programme.

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