The Guardia Civil, in collaboration with environmental officers from the Segura River Basin Authority, has carried out operation Rough. The investigation centered on a resort manager accused of groundwater usurpation and environmental offences for illegally drawing water from wells and springs to irrigate a golf course in Purias, Lorca, Murcia. Allegedly, an aquifer was used for 17 years to water the golf course located within Purias, a locality in Lorca.
The force reported that during the operation about a dozen illegal wells and five springs were identified, all of which were deprived of water. Investigators verified that the resort’s company engaged in water theft, resulting in an overexploited aquifer with qualitative and quantitative risks, according to the authorities.
The resort’s manager, who faces charges but has not been detained, is estimated to have caused environmental damages amounting to around 65 million euros, as calculated by the investigators.
The case emerged after reports suggested nighttime drilling. The Guardia Civil described the information received as a citizen collaboration. With credible indications, the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) began its work, being alerted to possible unauthorized extraction from groundwater sources at a golf resort in the Murcia region.
Initial intelligence indicated numerous concealed wells within the resort facilities, and nighttime well construction near the golf course, potentially aimed at illegal water extraction.
Overhead surveillance from a helicopter
Guardia Civil teams monitored potential infractions from a helicopter. From the air, they observed a large golf complex near the Sierra de la Almenara, situated on dry land above a groundwater source at risk both quantitatively and qualitatively.
From above, a substantial greens area—measuring 21.97 hectares—was noted, far exceeding the authorized 5.3 hectares of greens associated with the site.
Seprona confirmed the extensive greens area in relation to the permitted size, highlighting the mismatch in greens development and its possible environmental impact.
Members of the Guardia Civil and CHS technicians then devised a joint inspection plan. On the day of execution, they detected fifteen unauthorized wells across various plots of the complex and five springs that had been dewatered, all believed to be used to illegally feed the golf course’s turf with groundwater.
With enough evidence, investigators identified the resort manager as the person investigated for alleged groundwater usurpation and environmental crimes tied to illegal groundwater extraction.
Experts’ assessment
Although the golf course opened in 2011, authorities believe the illegal activity began earlier. Inspections revealed that the annual volume of groundwater extracted from the aquifer exceeded two million cubic meters.
According to expert reports, the illicit activity spanned roughly 17 years and caused environmental damages estimated at 65 million euros. This total includes restoration costs and the economic value of lost ecosystem services, with the aggravating factor of exploiting an overdrawn aquifer, suggesting potential irregular use of groundwater for other activities.
Experts explained that unauthorized and uncontrolled groundwater extraction for irrigation at golf facilities is linked to significant risks for the quantitative and qualitative status of the underground water mass. This can undermine the ability to achieve the favorable conservation status of the affected water body and threaten the ecological balance reliant on it.
“Unique and unequal”
The resort’s website, which lists Purias as its home, shows an update from over a year ago, marking a golf tournament as a recent highlight. The site describes the complex as a driver of social and economic activity in the area, boasting a distinctive and unmatched property in the southeast Mediterranean region.
It also highlights an 18-hole, par-71 golf course with wide, undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers, promising players entertaining challenges at every hole.
The site notes that the resort will soon expand with nine more holes and will feature a sports complex that includes tennis and paddle courts, a gym, a full spa and wellness center, and a five-star hotel.