Climate change has intensified a long-standing weakness in the Spanish Mediterranean: scarce water. In recent months this shortage has become evident in regions like Catalonia, Andalusia, and Murcia. Solutions discussed include traditional approaches such as transfers and surface and groundwater management, alongside less conventional methods like water reuse and desalination. This view came from university and business experts gathered for a debate on water management during the second day of the Mediterranean Economic and Social Forum, organized by Prensa Ibérica and the Caixa Foundation.
“The right mix depends on the need. Right now there are four sources, with different weights according to the urgency and price. The key is to deploy the available resources rationally,” commented Paco Cabezas, a professor at the University of Murcia. The use of wastewater, surface, and groundwater is among the approaches that regions with higher demand should consider, according to José Claramonte, the general director of FACSA.
An example is Murcia, described as probably a European leader in this area by Gonzalo Delacámara of IE University’s Center for Water & Climate Adaptation. Yet even in Murcia there is room for improvement, as argued by Claramonte. Desalination and reuse, although important, require ongoing support. The cost of desalination remains high, even though it has fallen from around 20 euros per cubic meter to about 0.4 euros per cubic meter, according to José Alberto Pardo, moderator and director of La Opinión de Murcia.
New Economic Activities
Water resource shortages have been worsened by drought, inefficient management, and intensive farming. Human consumption grows with population and tourism, but irrigation remains the largest user. The Mediterranean area accounts for more than half of the country’s agricultural output, ranking as the fourth-largest exporter in the European Union and seventh worldwide. This sector will be most affected by a forecast drop in rainfall in coming years, according to Claramonte.
At the same time, new economic activities are emerging that will demand significant water in the future, including green hydrogen and data centers. Claramonte argues that regions should start deciding which sectors will meet demand with current resources, allowing each area to identify strategic activities for its territory.
Institutional Unity
After identifying the problems and potential solutions, Cabezas criticized what he sees as a recent trend toward territorialization of water resources that does not ease the problem and may even worsen it. He urged a single solution: promote agreements, dialogue, and consensus. The National Hydrological Plan should serve as the core instrument because it is a law that binds every region.
Following this line, Claramonte proposed creating a State Secretary for Water and a Ministry of Water and Energy, while Delacámara called for a national water pact that recognizes equality in rights rather than in competencies.
European Perspective
A conclusion shared by the water council—a panel of experts including regional government representatives, the hydrographical confederation, and farmer unions—advocates a national water policy that treats this resource as a common good for all Spaniards. This summary reflects the collective view on water governance and its future challenges.
National Water Strategy
At the national level, water management is highlighted as a strategic priority, recognized in a government plan with a substantial budget to improve desalination capacity and efficiency. Investments target the Catalan internal basins, as well as the Andalusian Mediterranean basins, with aims to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable supply across regions.