A solution for the critical situation in the Siurana basin
The Generalitat and the Hydrographic Confederation of the Ebro (CHE) have started technical meetings in recent weeks to address the possible transfer of water from the Ebro to the Priorat. From the Department of Climate Action they have positively assessed that the CHE has not opposed the project and are **hopeful** regarding the option to include it in the next cycle of hydrological planning that must enter in force in 2027. In fact, from the hydrographic body they recognize the “critical situation” that exists in the Siurana basin and advance that in the draft of the new drought plan they are preparing a “new territorial unit” has been defined of shortage” in this area in order to analyze and apply corrective measures more precisely.
Projects to guarantee irrigation support for the Priory
In January, the Department of Climate Action presented two projects to guarantee irrigation support for the Priorat. The two independent proposals envisage capturing water from the Ebro River to supply the region’s marshes and ensure agricultural activity. On the one hand, it was proposed to bring water from Garcia (Ribera d’Ebre) to the Guiamets swamp and, in parallel, to Siurana. On the other hand, it was considered to connect the Margalef marsh to the Garrigues-sud canal. The project quickly raised dust. The Platform in Defense of the Ebro and Gepec opposed it, while unlike what the Generalitat had stated, the CHE assured that it had not been informed beforehand.
Deadlines and imperative need for water
The Government’s forecast was to complete everything by 2027 and use 5 hm³ of water annually. Some deadlines that the CHE quickly discarded because this project could not begin to move forward until, precisely, at the end of 2027, when the next cycle of hydrological planning comes into force. According to Acció Climàtica, three years of work and 60 million euros are needed, with which, in the most **optimistic** scenario, no water would be moved until 2030. An option that the Priorat farmers reject because of the urgent need for water that they have today due to the drought.
Technical discussions to study the proposal
In recent weeks, there have been talks between CHE and Climate Action technicians to study the proposal, especially that of sending water from Garcia to the Guiamets and Siurana reservoirs. From the confederation, although they do not speak openly about this initiative, they do recognize that until the rain arrives it is necessary to “keep looking for viable solutions from a technical and economic point of view to be able to solve similar situations in the future are now occurring in the Siurana basin”.
