Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 30, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment — environmental impact report of the project «Improvement in the regulation of flows from the Águilas desalination plant (Murcia)» |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 15, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 15, 2026 |
| Promoter | Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) — Segura River Basin Authority |
| Affected parties | Irrigation communities of Lorca, Alhama and Totana; farmers in the Guadalentín valley (Murcia) |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries / Water Resources |
| Total approved capacity | 1,116,144 m³ useful (sum of the two reservoirs) |
| Type of assessment | Simplified environmental impact assessment — no ordinary assessment required |
The irrigation communities of the Guadalentín valley will have significantly greater storage capacity for desalinated water to manage their irrigation demands. The Resolution of June 30, 2026 from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment gives environmental approval to the project promoted by MITECO through the Segura River Basin Authority, which contemplates the construction of two water regulation reservoirs in the Region of Murcia.
The simplified environmental assessment process has concluded that an ordinary assessment is not necessary, clearing the administrative path for project execution.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution approves the favorable environmental impact report for the project to build two water regulation reservoirs that will channel water from the Águilas desalination plant to the Guadalentín valley. The approved infrastructure is as follows:
| Infrastructure | Useful capacity | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Cabezo de la Galera reservoir | 743,960 m³ | Approved with favorable environmental report |
| Raiguero Alto reservoir | 372,184 m³ | Approved with favorable environmental report |
| Puerto Carril reservoir | Not executed | Removed from the project to avoid impacts on Natura 2000 Network |
In addition to the reservoirs, the project includes the following complementary infrastructure:
- Connection pipelines between installations
- Automation systems for water management
- Energy supply through photovoltaic installations
A relevant aspect of the project is that it does not expand the irrigable area of the zone: the objective is to improve the regulation and management of flows already available from the Águilas desalination plant, not to increase the irrigation perimeter. The elimination of the third initially planned reservoir (Puerto Carril) was a decision adopted to protect areas included in the Natura 2000 Network, following consultations with multiple regional and state bodies during the assessment process.
Economic and operational impact
For the irrigation communities and farmers of the Guadalentín, the environmental approval of this project has direct operational consequences:
- Greater storage capacity: Moving from depending on real-time flows from the desalination plant to having over 1.1 million m³ of regulated reserve allows irrigation planning with greater flexibility and security.
- Reduced supply shortage risk: Flow regulation mitigates demand peaks and periods of lower desalination plant production.
- Integrated photovoltaic energy: Energy supply for installations through solar panels reduces dependence on conventional electricity grid and can result in lower operational costs in the long term.
- Automation: The planned automation systems facilitate remote and efficient flow management, reducing the need for field operational personnel.
From the perspective of the administrative process, the conclusion of the simplified assessment without the need for an ordinary assessment accelerates the timeline for the project to advance toward the bidding and construction phase.
Who does it affect?
- Irrigation communities of Lorca: Direct beneficiaries of the improvement in flow regulation for irrigation.
- Irrigation communities of Alhama de Murcia: Included in the project's demand management scope.
- Irrigation communities of Totana: Beneficiaries of greater water storage capacity in the Guadalentín valley.
- Farmers of the Guadalentín valley: End users who will see improved availability and regularity of water for irrigation.
- Segura River Basin Authority: Promoting body and manager of the infrastructure, responsible for execution and operation.
- Construction and installation companies: Those competing in the bidding for the construction of reservoirs, pipelines, automation and photovoltaic works.
Practical example
An irrigation community in the Lorca area that currently manages its irrigation schedules based on flows available in real time from the Águilas desalination plant will be able, once the reservoirs are built, to schedule irrigation with greater advance notice and security. The Cabezo de la Galera reservoir, with 743,960 m³ useful, is equivalent to a reserve that can cover several days of peak demand for a medium-sized agricultural area, reducing exposure to cuts or variations in desalination plant production. The integrated automation will also allow irrigation schedules to be managed remotely, without the need for continuous trips to the installations.
On the other hand, the elimination of the Puerto Carril reservoir from the project is an example of how environmental assessment can modify the scope of infrastructure: the protection of the Natura 2000 Network has meant giving up additional storage capacity, but has allowed obtaining the favorable report without the need for an ordinary assessment, which would have significantly extended the timelines.
What should companies do now?
- Irrigation communities: review your demand planning. With the environmental approval of the project, it is time to update water management plans to incorporate the future availability of the reservoirs and optimize irrigation schedules.
- Construction and installation companies: prepare your positioning for bidding. The approval of the environmental report is the step prior to bidding for the works. Companies in the hydraulic construction, photovoltaic installations and industrial automation sectors should be alert to the publication of specifications by the Segura River Basin Authority.
- Farmers of the Guadalentín: inform yourselves through your irrigation communities. The project does not expand irrigable area, but it does improve the regularity of supply. Each farmer should know how it will affect their quota and irrigation schedule when the infrastructure is operational.
- Environmental managers: file the favorable report. The resolution establishes the environmental conditions under which the project is approved. Any future modification of the design must be evaluated against these conditions, especially regarding the Natura 2000 Network.
- Follow the project's processing. Environmental approval does not imply immediate start of works. It is necessary to follow the subsequent administrative processing (construction project, bidding, award) to know the actual execution timelines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total capacity of the reservoirs approved in Murcia for Guadalentín irrigation?
The two approved reservoirs have a total useful capacity of 1,116,144 m³: the Cabezo de la Galera reservoir with 743,960 m³ useful and the Raiguero Alto reservoir with 372,184 m³ useful. A third reservoir initially planned (Puerto Carril) was removed from the project to avoid impacts on the Natura 2000 Network.
Where does the water that these reservoirs will store come from?
The water comes from the Águilas desalination plant (Murcia). The project channels flows from this installation to the regulation reservoirs to improve the management of irrigation demands in the Guadalentín valley, without expanding the existing irrigable area.
Which irrigation communities does this project benefit?
The project directly benefits the irrigation communities of Lorca, Alhama de Murcia and Totana, which are the main users of water managed in the Guadalentín valley. Farmers in these areas will see improved regularity and availability of water supply for irrigation.
Is an ordinary environmental impact assessment necessary for this project?
No. The General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment has concluded, after the simplified assessment process and consultations with multiple regional and state bodies, that an ordinary assessment is not necessary. The environmental impact report issued on June 30, 2026 is favorable.
Why was the Puerto Carril reservoir removed from the original project?
The Puerto Carril reservoir was removed from the project to avoid impacts on the Natura 2000 Network. This decision allowed obtaining the favorable environmental impact report without the need to submit the project to an ordinary assessment, thus accelerating the administrative timelines.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15443