Júcar River Basin

Historically, Spain has addressed water scarcity by increasing available resources. However, this approach is nearly exhausted in the Júcar River basin, where the use of non-conventional water resources is often prohibitively expensive, especially in the context of rising energy prices.

The Júcar river basin’s water governance is characterized by a centralized planning approach led by the Júcar River Basin Authority (CHJ). This centralization ensures that water resources are managed efficiently and sustainably. Additionally, water management is collaboratively handled by the Comisión de Desembalse, which includes representatives from CHJ, water users, and government officials. This collaborative effort ensures that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making processes. Local indicators used for monitoring water governance include the existence and implementation level of water laws, the presence of a central agency with water-related responsibilities, mechanisms for reviewing responsibilities, integrated water resource management strategies, and institutions managing hydrographic resources.