The drought in Southern Spain is continuing. The Viñuela reservoir, the main supply source for the 10 000 ha of irrigated tropical crops in Axarquia, was at just 22 % capacity in mid-December (as opposed to 36 % in 2016 and 56 % on average over the past ten years). The Spanish authorities have decided to strengthen the irrigation restriction measures, by reducing the volumes available from this source from December to February by 60 %. Meanwhile, aid will be launched to increase use of recycled household wastewater, currently very little used. The agricultural unions are condemning the short-term vision of the authorities, who have still not resolved to implement permanent solutions, and we cannot help but agree with them. The project to divert from the Viñuela reservoir a tiny part of the 700 hectometres of water that the River Guadiaro discharges to the sea every year is still not underway, despite professionals’ readiness to provide financial support. It would help not only ensure a decent water supply to existing surface areas, but also reinvigorate the avocado and mango industries, which play a major economic and social role, and enjoy excellent prospects.
Sources: La Vanguardia, embalses.net
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