Ágreda-Ólvega wastewater plant and La Red reservoir face severe contamination issues

In Spain, the Ágreda‑Ólvega wastewater treatment plant in Soria, Castilla y León has repeatedly discharged dark, foul‑smelling water into the River Val. Despite multiple fines and a €3 million investment to expand the plant’s capacity, the illegal discharges continue, breaching article 325 of the Spanish Penal Code that criminalises harmful water pollution.

In Mexico, the La Red reservoir in Jalisco has become covered with a thick green‑dark layer after years of alleged waste runoff from livestock farms. Residents have reported the problem for years, and municipal authorities of Acatic and Tepatitlán de Morelos are disputing jurisdiction. Acatic points to official maps to claim responsibility, while the federal water agency Conagua is expected to investigate the source of the contamination.