Abstract
Since its inauguration in 1979, the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct has become one of the hydraulic infrastructures that has had the most significant socio-economic repercussions in Spain during the past few decades. The aqueduct is significant for its strategic importance and developmental potential for south-east Spain, where it provides water for agriculture as well as for tourism and urban consumption. The aim of this study is to analyze the uncertainties regarding the future functioning of this infrastructure in view of the reduction of water resources and a higher frequency of drought episodes due to climate change. To this end, an analysis was performed on previous studies of hydrological plans, regulations and studies on climate change in order to enable an assessment to be made of the possible effects of these changes on the normal functions of the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct. Consideration is also given to the new management rules that have regulated this infrastructure since 2014, the use of alternative water resources, and proposals such as measures to increase resilience in light of future climate change scenarios and their effects on the Mediterranean.
Highlights
The worldwide uneven distribution of water resources and demand has frequently led to water shortages, and regional demands often exceed supply even in countries with an abundance of water [1,2]
This means that surface water resources are closely related to the location of the headwaters of rivers in reliefs well exposed to flows of atmospheric circulation that provide precipitation, the routes of which cross regions with high evaporation rates throughout the year, generally, in summer (Table 2)
This was reflected in the diversion of water from the upper basin of the Tagus via the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct (TSA) destined for the National Park of the Tablas de Daimiel (Castilla La-Mancha), owing to the decent water table, which resulted from the over-exploitation of aquifers that fed them due to the opening of irrigation wells that allowed the transfer to this wetland of up to 60 hm3 every three years, while not exceeding 30 hm3/year
Summary
The worldwide uneven distribution of water resources and demand has frequently led to water shortages, and regional demands often exceed supply even in countries with an abundance of water [1,2]. In view of the strong socio-economic growth experienced globally by developed countries during the second half of the last century, numerous water-infrastructure projects have aimed to increase water supply to guarantee considerable expansion of urban and agricultural uses and hydroelectric production [3]. IBWT projects across national and regional boundaries have been well developed in order to overcome water deficits, and to increase the resilience of the global water system [5] in countries and regions such as China [6,7], the United States [8], Australia [9], South America [10,11], etc. Ghassemi and White [13] counted more than 50 (including finished projects and proposals) in just five countries (USA, Australia, Canada, China and India), of which initiatives such as the Central Valley Project planned in 1933 in California (USA) to provide water for irrigation and supply in the Central Valley of California [14], the Snowy Mountains Scheme (Australia) [15], and China’s South-North Water Transfer Project (SNWT) [2], the world’s largest transfer, are of great significance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
