Adaptation Strategies of the Hydrosocial Cycles in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

The Spanish Mediterranean region has been affected by several factors over the years (climatic conditions of aridity, high water demands, rapid and intense urban and population growth, climate change), that have generated a negative water balance whereby water resources are unable to meet the demand. Diversifying supply sources by resorting to new resources has been a necessity that has stimulated the expansion and integration of non-conventional water sources (desalination and reuse of reclaimed water) and sustainable solutions. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the adaptation strategies that have been developed in Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja in order to adjust their hydrosocial cycles to development and future scenarios. The theoretical analysis developed in this paper is corroborated by the study of the hydrosocial cycle evolution of three cities in the southeast of Spain, and the adaptive measures that the different stakeholders involved in the cycle have developed in each of them. The input and output of the systems are accounted for with information provided by the management companies in each of the phases (urban consumption; treated, reused and desalinated volumes), which highlight how the diversification of resources and the incorporation of non-conventional resources have been essential for adaptation.Southeast Queensland (Australia) where rainwater is collected [9], and the city of Tucson (AZ, USA) where groundwater, surface water, reclaimed water and grey water are combined [10,11].Water scarcity is clearly manifested in the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, and various measures have been carried out in order to mitigate it [1]. Given the physical-ecological characteristics of Spain, over the centuries a large amount of infrastructure has been built to try and store water. An example is the large number of dams and reservoirs, about 1200, which are distributed throughout Spain [12], with a storage capacity of about 56,000 hm 3 [13]. Among other functions, these structures have helped regulate and supply water to the cities. However, in some regions the creation of reservoirs has not been enough, because their rivers do not have the necessary flows to cover the demand of the area. Channels between ceding basins and deficit basins have been built, for example, the Tajo-Segura transfer. This channel connects the Tajo basin, located in the centre of the peninsula, with the Segura basin, in the southeast of Spain [14]. Due to this transfer, the regions that make up the Segura basin, an area characterized by its structural water shortage and reduced rainfall, have been able to supply water for urban demand and agricultural demand (which require around 80% of the total demand of the basin). These water regulation and transport systems have been the basis of the Spanish model for decades. However, in some regions, such as those located on the Mediterranean coast, in the late 1990s the combination and mixing of surface water (own and external) and groundwater wa...

Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review

“…Regarding recreational uses, during the most recent period of intense real-estate development, which was drastically halted by the 2008 economic crisis, a large number of golf courses were created in in south-eastern Spain, which in most cases are irrigated with reclaimed water produced in external wastewater treatment plants [76]. In addition, reclaimed water use has been gradually introduced in some of the large coastal cities to cope with the scarcity of water resources in southeastern Spain, allowing freshwater to be saved in municipal uses, such as street-cleaning or the irrigation of public parks, and private gardens [72,77].…”

How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain)

“…Source: own elaboration from the questionnaires. Notes: 1 Petition was on 1986; 2 Latest statutes in 2015; 3 Although the first irrigation campaign with desalinated water was in 1979 with the arrival of the TST; 4 This surface increases until 3515 ha (taking into account the surface currently occupied by the industrial park); 5 This surface is reduced to 32,000 in a dry period; 6 Part of this surface (12,620 ha) corresponds to traditional irrigation (unregulated); 7 Some farms up to 200-300 ha; 8 Some farms up to 400 ha; 9 Some farms up to 40-50 ha; 10 Professional farmer: 20 ha, with 7-8 large fruit and vegetable companies (25-30 ha each one); 11 Some farms up to 50-100 ha; 12 One horticultural company uses 800 ha and a fruit company, about 300 ha; 13 Some horticultural companies up to 150 ha; 14 Vegetables include lettuce, broccoli, artichoke, cauliflower, tomatoes, celery, potato, onion, and pepper; while fruits include citrus, melon, watermelon, grape, and mango.…”

“…Water scarcity is considered one of the most important challenges of our time, constituting an increasing problem in many parts of the world [3]. Agriculture is the sector most affected by water scarcity, as it accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals and more than 90% of the consumption [4,5]. In this context, non-conventional water resources and more specifically, seawater desalination, is considered as an additional water resource to help overcome water scarcity [6,7].…”

The Hydrosocial Cycle: Understanding Water as a Socionatural Production

“…Finally, another theme developed from the hydrosocial cycle approach has been the analysis of the socionatural repercussions that have involved the introduction of unconventional resources, especially the desalination and reuse of treated wastewater (Arahuetes et al 2018), that are intimately linked to the financialization of the water sector . Swyngedouw and Williams (2016) explore this topic analyzing the development of desalination in Spain as an alternative to water transfers.…”