3.6 Case Study - Spain Water Supply

Question 1

Describe percipitation and climate in south-east Spain

Answer 1

• The average precipitation in south-east Spain is approximately 365mm a year
  
  • Most precipitation occurs in winter
• The area is one of the driest in Europe
• Regular droughts mean the supply of water is further reduced

Question 2

How does tourism increase the problem of water deficit in south-east Spain? (use statistics)

Answer 2

• Water parks and golf courses use significant quantities of water
• An average tourist uses between 450-800 litres per day whilst an average Spaniard uses 127 litres per day

Question 3

Describe the Tagus-Segura Project

Answer 3

• Completed in 1978
• 60% of the water flowing into the Tagus is transferred using a 286 km long pipeline to connect Spanish river basins
• The aim was to supply Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena in the south-east to reduce the water deficit

Question 4

Issues with the Tagus-Segura Project (name 2)

Answer 4

• Much of the water transferred went to the tourist and leisure users not to small scale farmers
• Water consumption in the south-east increased due to an increase in supply
• It is estimated that 15% of the transferred water is being illegally used by leisure users such as golf courses
• Large commercial farms are benefitting more than small scale farmers

Question 5

Describe the Ebro project

Answer 5

A second water transfer project was proposed in 2001 to transfer water from the River Ebro

Question 6

Why was the Ebro project abandoned (name 2 reasons)

Answer 6

• The failure and issues with the Tagus-Segura project
• The cost
• The threat to the Ebro delta as the scheme would have disrupted sediment flow to the delta

Question 7

What water management technique does Spain currently use?

Answer 7

Desalinisation plants (factories)