The Demand of Castilla-La Mancha: Ecological Flow and Priority of the Yielding Basin
The Government of Castilla-La Mancha urges the Ministry of Ecological Transition to accelerate the process of modifying the exploitation rules of the Tajo-Segura transfer, to guarantee an ecological flow in the Tagus River and prioritize the needs of the transferring basin.
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Mercedes Gómez, highlights the importance of establishing ecological flows to restore the health of the Tagus River, which has suffered the consequences of excessive extractions.
Castilla-La Mancha advocates for a fair and sustainable approach that guarantees access to water for both the transferring and receiving basins, respecting the principles of solidarity and equity.
Madrid’s Position: A Necessary Rethinking
Mercedes Gómez criticizes the position of the Community of Madrid, which has aligned itself with the southeastern regions in its opposition to ecological flows in the Tagus.
The counselor believes that Madrid should reconsider its position, since the establishment of ecological flows would also benefit Aranjuez, a Madrid municipality located on the banks of the Tagus.
Gómez points out that Madrid also depends on the water transfer, and that its opposition to ecological flows could harm its own interests in the long term.
The Unity of Castilla-La Mancha: A Pact for Water
Castilla-La Mancha highlights the unity of its society around the issue of transfer, supported by the 2018 Regional Water Pact.
The pact includes the requirement to include desalination resources in hydrological balances and to consider transfers as an extraordinary resource for situations of need.
The agreement also highlights the importance of recovering the good environmental status of rivers and aquifers, and of prioritizing human supply.
The Requests of Castilla-La Mancha: A Comprehensive Approach
Castilla-La Mancha requests a significant increase in ecological flows in the Tagus, which would translate into an increase in water in Aranjuez, Toledo and Talavera de la Reina.
The region also requests a minimum non-transferable reserve greater than 400 hm3, to guarantee the supply of drinking water in the transferring basin.
Furthermore, Castilla-La Mancha proposes adjusting the levels of exceptional hydrological situations to avoid the constant emptying of the headwaters of the Tagus.
The autonomous community also requests measures to guarantee the supply of water to the riverside towns of the headwaters of the Tagus and through transfer to the Guadiana basin.
The Future of Transfer: A Long and Challenging Process
The process of modifying the rules of the Tajo-Segura transfer faces a long road, with several pending electoral appointments.
Castilla-La Mancha is confident that the Ministry of Ecological Transition will maintain its commitment to ecological flows, regardless of who holds the position of minister.
The debate on the Tajo-Segura transfer is a reflection of the complex relationship between access to water, economic development and human well-being.
Finding a fair and sustainable balance between the needs of different regions is essential to ensure a prosperous and equitable future for all.