"There is no national water redistribution strategy due to lack of political will"

A prolonged two-year drought was followed by a March of intense rains that filled the reservoirs. This week, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) has eased restrictions on Alicante's fields and plans to maximize discharges in the Tajo-Segura transfer (27 cubic hectometres). However, the agricultural situation in the province remains critical, according to the president of Asaja Alicante, José Vicente Andreu, who calls for more water infrastructure to store this surplus water.

- Finally, the long-awaited rains have arrived after a prolonged drought. How is this water being utilized?

The previous hydrological year was the driest on record. The extreme drought has severely affected both dry and irrigated crops - the latter suffering cuts of more than 57% in Vega Baja. However, sudden torrential rains like the dana in Valencia or persistent ones like those in recent weeks in Alicante highlight how water mismanagement is leading us to collapse due to the lack of regulatory water infrastructure that could minimize risks for the population and contribute to optimizing water use. From a problem, we could create an opportunity, especially when rain falls abruptly and in excess, potentially serving as a supply source for territories deficient in this resource.

- So, can the fields lack water even if Spain's reservoirs are full?

With reservoirs overflowing from March rains, we should be facing a hopeful scenario. But no, because there is no national redistributive water strategy due to a lack of political will. As long as we are unable to bring that water to basins with endemic scarcity problems, like the Segura, it can rain as much as the meteorological whims dictate and more. Asaja Alicante does not accept the message that "reservoirs should not be built because they do not fill," because the only reservoir that does not fill is the one that has not been built.

- 2027 is just around the corner. What future awaits agriculture if the Tajo-Segura is eliminated?

Indeed, in 2027, the increase in the ecological flow of the Tajo would come into effect, reducing about 104 hectometres of water intended for irrigation. Today, there is no scientific criterion to establish the volume of that flow, only the biased ruling of a Ministry of Ecological Transition with a roadmap based on false environmentalism that has shown little concern for the collapse of employment, irrigated hectares, and socio-economic impact that the blow to this historic infrastructure would entail. Another example of water mismanagement. It goes on and on.

If this Government's grim intention is consolidated, Alicante's agriculture is doomed. It is urgent to change the current water management, as it impoverishes the entire country instead of improving the environmental state of the rivers. A national vision free of political colours is urgently needed. Because the transfer is life: it irrigates the fields, feeds Europeans, and cares for the planet; every drop of the Tajo-Segura keeps the Garden of Europe alive.

- What other challenges do we face in terms of water?

The province of Alicante has a high population density associated with tourism along the entire coast, from north to south, where there is a high consumption of potable water which, if not properly treated, constitutes an environmental problem due to uncontrolled discharges into the sea. Improving the sanitation and purification system, as well as recycling regenerated water for agricultural and industrial use, should be a priority for the administration.

- What solution does Asaja propose?

The construction of a bidirectional pipeline that crosses the entire Alicante coast and connects with the Zero Discharge distribution network, as well as with other regions - including Vega Baja - through irrigation communities.

- Why has the 'Zero Discharge' been halted?

The project is designed to reuse 100% of Alicante's wastewater to obtain a high-quality water resource usable in neighbouring regions, providing a significant benefit to farmers, who could access cheaper water than that from the Júcar-Vinalopó. It is a shame that it is currently halted. Once again, political apathy entangles what could be a sustainable solution for the environment, society, and agriculture.

- What is true about climate change?

Farmers are not blind; we know it is a reality and we do not deny it. However, those of us who daily defend the water issue in Alicante and the scarce resources we have to maintain sustainable irrigation face an expression that has become a political mantra used to justify real absurdities. Let's not be fooled, climate change is used as an excuse to justify inaction in water policies, when it should precisely be the reason to improve them.