Spanish water authorities implement emergency works following floods and fires

Water management authorities in Spain are executing large-scale emergency works to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events. The Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) has completed over 300 emergency actions across 61 municipalities, investing 220 million euros to repair riverbeds and ravines damaged by the October 2024 floods. These works, including the reinforcement of slopes with riprap, aim to manage water flow and reduce flood depths in affected basins such as the Magre, Túria, and Poyo.

Separately, the Tagus Hydrographic Confederation (CHT) has implemented measures to protect water quality following major summer forest fires. The CHT has constructed over 3,050 small dams, known as albarradas, and installed four ash containment barriers across the basin. These efforts, totaling 5.5 million euros, focus on preventing sediment and ash from entering reservoirs, particularly in areas like Guadalajara, Ávila, and Madrid, to safeguard drinking water supplies and irrigation.