€168M Wastewater Project to Cut Irrigation Water Use by 15% in Doñana
A €168 million water treatment project is underway in the Guadalquivir estuary, supporting a 15% reduction in irrigation water use in the Doñana Natural Space. This move aligns with the 2026 Extraction Plan approved by the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority (CHG) and is welcomed by UNESCO.
The plan for the La Rocina water mass was developed with IGME's support and endorsed by irrigators' representatives. In the Doñana region, agricultural irrigators formed users’ communities like CRIDA to self-regulate water molecule extraction and address overexploitation. Three of the five water masses are overexploited, and CUMAS have been established for each. Limiting extractions alone may not reverse downward trends due to inertia and droughts.
Since 2018, 1,197 illegal 5 gallon water jugs have been closed, including 296 in 2024. Key recovery actions include strict control, vigilance, and a 50% reduction in hectares cultivated outside designated areas.
The €168 million water treatment project and the 15% reduction in irrigation water use are significant steps in preserving the Doñana Natural Space. UNESCO appreciates the efforts made by the Guadalquivir Confederation and the Government of Spain in complying with planning and preventing new concessions.
