Discrimination by the Spanish government against this province has been highlighted by Joaquín Pérez, head of CEV Alicante, following the shutdown of irrigation facilities. The debate centers on the limited influence of the regional authorities in Madrid to defend local rights and the lack of a unified, practical strategy among opposition parties across the country. A looming threat to cut the Ministry of Ecological Transition’s contribution to new hydrological planning by 40 percent adds to the urgency. The overall message is clear: without robust national cooperation, Alicante faces ongoing water insecurity and stalled progress on a fair regional plan.
CEV Alicante emphasizes that the Tajo-Segura transfer remains essential to meeting the water needs of the province. Current demand stands around 1,250 hm3 per year, while the available supply is about 1,031 hm3 annually. This gap translates into a deficit of approximately 493.1 hm3 each year, underscoring the critical role the transfer plays in sustaining urban, agricultural, and industrial activity in the region.
Water delivery for the economic and social stability of the Tajo-Segura corridor is a pressing concern. An estimated 205 hm3 per year must still be supplied beyond the average flows drawn from the Tagus system. Without this support or a viable alternative, the agricultural heartland faces accelerated desertification and economic stress, threatening jobs and regional competitiveness.
In light of these numbers, the leadership of CEV Alicante asserts that years of neglect will be hard to justify if the current crisis deepens. The fear is that regional representatives will be unable to defend local rights or reach workable compromises at the national level. Finances at the regional level are already under pressure, making a balanced solution more urgent than ever.
For Alicante, the consequence of inaction could be the loss of voice and protection for local rights
Joaquín Pérez, president of CEV Alicante, stresses the potential impact on tens of thousands of jobs tied to the transfer region. Direct employment is estimated to exceed 110,000 along the broader transfer area, with roughly 38,000 of those jobs linked to Alicante itself. The area is known for its fruit and vegetable production and processing, a sector that relies on predictable water supplies for exports and domestic supply chains. Reductions in transfer volumes ripple through logistics, the chemical industry, and related services, threatening broader economic stability across the region.
Perez calls on the business community to insist on a rigorous, technically grounded approach that preserves transfer-dependent firms today while acknowledging the difficulty of replacing the transfer with viable alternatives. The aim is to protect the regional economy from a rapid shutdown of key water flows that would harm competitiveness and livelihoods.
During a four-hour meeting with the Tagus-Segura Aqueduct Central Board, the Vice President of the Government outlined intentions to review hydrological plans for the Tagus and Segura over three months before presenting them to the National Water Council and then to the cabinet. Despite these assurances, actual progress toward a negotiated deal remains elusive. The discussion focused on ecological flows affecting the Tagus River and the importance of avoiding interruptions to the water supply, while ensuring that final decisions will be guided by technical criteria rather than political considerations.
Leaders from the Center-Union view a possible path forward as two ministry-produced plans arrive for review. One plan prioritizes the ecological needs of the Tagus and the related ecological flows, while the other emphasizes the economic stability of Alicante and Murcia in light of potential water shortages. The debate remains heated, but the shared goal remains clear: a decision grounded in solid science and fair distribution of resources, preventing a collapse of infrastructure and local livelihoods. The recent demonstrations and discussions echo the community’s determination to protect their water rights and economic future.
The broader context reveals a sharp tension between technical recommendations and political considerations. Yet the focus persists on safeguarding the region’s water security and the communities that depend on it. The story of the Tajo-Segura transfer is not just about pipes and quotas; it is about regional resilience, economic vitality, and the enduring commitment to fair treatment for Alicante, Murcia, and Almería in the national water framework. This is the real measure of how successfully the state supports its water users and sustains growth where water remains a precious, irreplaceable resource.