Spanish water management and flood adaptation

Spanish engineering experts and government officials are addressing the country’s water infrastructure and climate resilience. The Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos has called for a state-level water pact and a new national hydrological plan to manage droughts and floods. President Ricardo Martín de Bustamante emphasized the need for a specific law governing dams to guarantee management continuity regardless of government changes. This proposal highlights that 60% of public dams are over 60 years old and requires an estimated investment of approximately 103.824 billion euros for modernization, urban drainage, and sanitation renewal, based on a Seopan and TYPSA report for the 2026–2035 period.

In response to specific climate risks, the Spanish government has approved nearly €60 million in aid for 62 municipalities to strengthen flood risk adaptation. Following the 2024 Dana weather event, these funds are being directed toward local councils—primarily in the province of Valencia—to purchase equipment such as flood barriers, drainage pumps, and early warning systems. Commissioner for reconstruction and recovery Zulima Pérez stated the goal is to ‘rebuild better’ to prevent future overflows.

Water management authorities are also executing large-scale emergency works. The Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) has invested 220 million euros in over 300 emergency actions across 61 municipalities to repair riverbeds and ravines damaged by the October 2024 floods. Additionally, the Tagus Hydrographic Confederation (CHT) has spent 5.5 million euros on measures to protect water quality following summer forest fires, including the construction of over 3,050 small dams, or ‘albarradas’, and ash containment barriers to safeguard drinking water and irrigation.