Spain initiates reforms for Tajo‑Segura water transfer and launches environmental study of high‑speed rail impact

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) announced that a participatory process will begin in the coming weeks to revise the exploitation rules of the Tajo‑Segura water transfer. The rules determine monthly volumes transferred from the Entrepeñas and Buendía reservoirs to the southeastern provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Almería, where the flow is the main source of water for intensive horticultural farming. The ministry said the process will involve technical meetings and consultations with irrigation communities, agrarian organisations and other administrations to reach a broad consensus.

Public agency Tragsa will carry out an €80,000 in‑situ environmental study covering 16,194 ha in the Alto Bernesga biosphere reserve in León, assessing the impact of the Pajares high‑speed rail variant on pastures, peatlands and river‑bank habitats. The study responds to complaints about strong hydrological impacts from the €4 billion project, including an alleged illegal diversion of water that could supply Oviedo for a year. It will analyse habitat condition, threats and conservation status using data collected since 2000.