The debate over the Tajo-Segura interregional aqueduct has flared up again in Spain. Authorities in Valencia and Murcia insist on maintaining the current water transfer regime, arguing that the country has a significant surplus of water resources every year. According to their data, Spain receives about 350,000 cubic hectometres of precipitation annually, while water consumption does not exceed 25,000, most of which is used for agriculture.
At a meeting in Pilar de la Horadada, organized by farmers’ associations, the presidents of the Valencia and Murcia regions β Juanfran PΓ©rez Llorca and Fernando LΓ³pez Miras β stressed that there is enough water for all regions. They claimed that thousands of hectometres are discharged into the sea annually, after which significant funds and energy are required for desalination to recover only a small part of that volume.
Arguments on both sides
Supporters of preserving the Tajo-Segura, including the leaders of the largest farmers’ associations, stated that the controversy over the aqueduct artificially divides the regions, and that the state is responsible for the situation. They believe the current system allows the south of the country to sustain agriculture and the economy without harming the ecology of the upper Tajo.
At the same time, the authorities of Castilla-La Mancha are strongly opposed to continuing the water transfer. According to the president of the regional parliament, Pablo Bellido, the Tajo-Segura system causes harm and leads to the impoverishment of the region. He called on Valencia and Murcia to use the potential of Mediterranean seawater desalination instead of insisting on maintaining the old resource distribution scheme.
Decisions and consequences
The issue of the future of the Tajo-Segura remains unresolved. Last year, Fernando LΓ³pez Miras already attempted to restore the previous calculation parameters for transferred water volumes, which were in effect until 2023, when the Ministry for Ecological Transition introduced new environmental standards for the Tajo River. These changes were upheld by the Supreme Court, and the initiative to reinstate the old rules failed to pass in parliament due to a lack of support from the Vox party.
According to the latest report from the government commission on pipeline operation, as of March 2025 water levels in the key reservoirs of the Tajo-Segura system remain high, allowing a monthly transfer of up to 60 cubic hectometres. However, the long-term outlook depends on political decisions and the balance of interests between regions.
Context and geography
The Tagus River originates in the AlbarracΓn mountains and flows through four autonomous communities, including Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, and Extremadura, before reaching Lisbon. The question of sharing its resources remains one of the most pressing for the south and center of the country. As noted by russpain.com, disputes between regions over water regularly lead to major political conflicts, and decisions by authorities on this issue directly impact the economy and daily life of millions of residents.
At the same time, amid internal disagreements, Spain continues to discuss other strategic issues related to security and the countryβs role in international alliances. For example, experts and military officials recently met in Madrid to discuss the impact of external criticism and internal disputes on national defense, a topic explored in detail in the article on risks to Spanish defense and relations with the US.
