Feasibility Analysis of the Water Management …study about the technical and economic feasibility, -regarding the environmental component-, of the projects included in such Action

Project cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund

Project cofinancé par le Fonds européen de développement régional

1G-MED08-515

“Sustainable Water Management through

Common Responsibility enhancement in

Mediterranean River Basins”

MARCH 2012

Feasibility Analysis of the Water Management

Action Plan for High Genil Low Basin

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1. BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2. EVALUATION GOALS AND ACTION PLAN VIABILITY ANALYSIS ............................................................ 4

2. TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY ............................................................................................... 5

3. PRIORITIZATION AND ACTION PLAN DEADLINES .............................................................................. 10

3.1. METHODOLOGY FOR PRIORITIZATION .............................................................................................. 10

3.2. PRIORITIZATION RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 11

3.3. IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINES .......................................................................................................... 14

4. ALTERNATIVE CHOICES FOR THE ACTION PLAN ................................................................................ 17

4.1. ALTERNATIVE 0 -NO PLAN- ................................................................................................................ 17

4.2. ALTERNATIVE 1: ACTION PLAN .......................................................................................................... 18

5. ACTION PLAN SUSTAINABILITY ......................................................................................................... 20

5.1. PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY ........................................................................................................ 20

5.2. EXTERNAL COHERENCE ...................................................................................................................... 21

5.3. INTERNAL COHERENCE ...................................................................................................................... 23

6. MONITORING INDICATOR SYSTEM ................................................................................................... 25

7. EVALUATION OF RISK ....................................................................................................................... 28

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND

The Action Plan here presented, is part of the 1G-MED08-515 Project WATERinCORE about

“Sustainable Water Management through the improvement of Common Responsibility within

Mediterranean River Basins”, which is included in Priority Axis 2 “Environment” of Med Programme

(Transnational Territorial Cooperation in the European Union) among the “Territorial Cooperation

objective” of the period 2007-2013.

WATERinCORE Project's general objective is to develop, implement and disseminate a methodological

framework for integrating the principles of Local Agenda 21 in water resources management within

Mediterranean river basins. To that end, it is focused on identifying existing practices and policies

concerning water management, as well as the state of implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the

different regions of the Project's partners.

Bearing this in mind, as well as the specific features of participant regions, a public participation

process will be designed and carried out in pilot river basins or catchments, with the purpose of

motivating and actively involving the key local stakeholders and interested parties in the development

and application of local measures concerning water management.

As a result of this, new tools will be available for the better integration of measures within the

framework of sustainable water management and of Local Agenda 21 so that the different problems

and threats on water resources will be faced.

The Project has three essential references: The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC),

the European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development and the Local Agendas 21.

Water Framework Directive (Directive2000/60/EC).

It brings in a simple system for water management: the river basin-based management.

Development of River Basin Management Plans.

It considers the need for Public Participation. In its article 14 it prescribes that the

member States will encourage the active participation of all interested parties in the

development, review and updating of the river basin management plans.

European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development.

It is a framework for a long-term sustainability approach, in which economic growth,

social cohesion and environment protection go together and are complementary.

The Strategy has seven key challenges, many of which are strictly environmental:

Climate change and clean energies; sustainable transport; sustainable consumption

and production; natural resources conservation and management; Public Health;

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Social Inclusion, demography and migrations; Global poverty and sustainable

development challenges.

Local Agenda 21.

It outlines the principles and action scope basic to face environmental and development

issues, and to progress towards the completion of the sustainable development in

21st century target.

It includes public participation mechanisms though dynamic processes in the direction

of sustainability.

It comprises systems and processes for integrating economic, social and environmental

development. It is based on a strong relationship between local governments and

citizens. A long-term strategic Action Plan will integrate the existing policies and

programmes, and a future agreement on guidelines will direct the process towards

sustainability.

1.2. EVALUATION GOALS AND ACTION PLAN VIABILITY ANALYSIS

The Water management Plan of Action, associated with the project WATERinCORE includes a package

of priority actions and environmental integrated policies that will help to avoid deficits in the pilot

basing detected during previous phases.

The present report of Evaluation and Viability Analysis of the Action Plan main’s goal is to perform a

study about the technical and economic feasibility, -regarding the environmental component-, of the

projects included in such Action Plan, and to proceed with the establishment of priority guidelines for

implementation.

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2. TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY

The Viability degree is defined as the real possibility to implement all the actions described in the

Action Plan

The following viability ranges have been defined:

Low: actions with low viability, due to technical difficulties or high budget requirements.

Medium: actions with moderate viability, with affordable demands from a technical and

economic viewpoint.

High: actions with high viability, which don´t involve technical complexity and are affordable

from an economic viewpoint.

On the other side, economic resources and funding must be taken into account to implement the

actions, since an estimated budget has been estimated for every Project. These estimates are just an

approach, but they are grouped in ranges as follows:

Low: Less than 10.000 €

Medium: Between 10.000 and 50.000 €

High: Between 50.000 and 100.000 €

Very High: Above 100.000 €

The Viability degree is shown along with the estimated budget and the identification of Public Funding

Orders available (if necessary) for the projects included in the Action Plan.

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VIABILITY OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 1: WATER MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

PROGRAMME 1.1 IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET:

PUBLIC FUNDING GRANTS

AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 1.1.1. Renewal of irrigation infrastructure.

*1.1.1.a) Renewal of canals to avoid water loss, including

the main irrigation canal of Huétor-Tájar and Villanueva

Mesía.

*1.1.1. b) Processing subsidies and aid for renewing

irrigation infrastructure.

Medium Very High

Rural Development Programme

in Andalusia 2007-2013

(Order of 28 July 2009)

PROJECT 1.1.2. Running pilot experiments with efficient

irrigation systems. High High




PROGRAMME 1.2 AGRICULTURAL BEST PRACTICES AND ORGANIC (“ECOLOGICAL”) AGRICULTURE

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET:


AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 1.2.1. Study and spread of information about

new pilot crops which are profitable and attractive to the

market, adapt well to the territory and have low needs

for water and fertiliser (e.g., pumpkin and persimmon)

High High



(Order of 28 July 2009) and

Order of 10 juliy 2011)

PROJECT 1.2.2. Collaboration between associations of

livestock farmers and agricultural farmers to use organic

fertilisers in agriculture High Low




PROJECT 1.2.3. Spreading the use of agricultural best

practices and raising awareness of pollution by nitrates.

*1.2.3.a) Agricultural Best Practices: for example,

levelling ground to improve the effectiveness of irrigation

and the absorption of nitrates, formulas to reduce the

leaching of nitrates or to ensure fewer nitrates are

applied. Study of the viability of using sludge from

WWTPs as fertiliser.

*1.2.3.b) Activities to raise awareness of the

consequences of the contamination of aquifers by

nitrates.

High Medium

PROJECT 1.2.4. Study of nitrate contamination levels in

the Sierra Gorda aquifer. Medio High

PROJECT 1.2.5. Trade fairs promoting organic agriculture

products. High Low



(Order of 10 juliy 2011)

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VIABILITY OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 2: THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CYCLE

PROGRAMME 2.1. WASTE WATER TREATMENT

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET:


AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 2.1.1: Waste Water Treatment Infrastructure.

*2.1.1.a) Construction and putting into use of the WWTP

of Huétor-Tájar and Villanueva Mesía. (Currently at the

bidding stage.) Correct maintenance of the WWTPs

already existing in the Loja municipality.

*2.1.1.b) Checking collectors.

High Very High Law 9/2010, of 30 July, on

Andalusian Waters

PROJECT 2.1.2. Enhancement of low-cost treatments in

small population centres, “ecological waste water

treatment”.

High Medium

PROJECT 2.1.3. Viability study to provide Tertiary

Treatment Systems (such as sand filters) where possible

in treatment plants in order to reuse the water in

agriculture.

High Medium

GRAMME 2.2 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET: PUBLIC FUNDING GRANTS AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 2.2.1. Constitution of a Provincial Body to

Manage the Entire Water Cycle. High Low

PROJECT 2.2.2. Detection of leaks in the supply networks.

Remote monitoring service for better leak monitoring. High Medium

PROJECT 2.2.3. Introduction of municipal metering to

improve the monitoring of consumption. High Medium

PROJECT 2.2.4. Improving the supply networks in

scattered population centres. Medium High

PROJECT 2.2.5. Monitoring of illegal water intake by the

Town Councils. High Low

PROGRAMME 2.3. INDUSTRIAL WATER MANAGEMENT

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET: PUBLIC FUNDING GRANTS AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 2.3.1. Approval of Municipal Ordinances on the

Control of Industrial Discharges to the municipal drainage

network High Low

PROJECT 2.3.2. Encouraging organic fish farming. High Low

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PROGRAMME 2.4. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AND BEST PRACTICES IN THE USE OF URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE:

ESTIMATED

BUDGET:


AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 2.4.1. Awareness raising on the economical use

of water and minimising contamination from domestic

sources, for the general public. High Low

Order of 17 June 2009 establishing the regulatory basis for granting subsidies for environmental education and awareness programmes (in the subsequent calls for applicants)

PROJECT 2.4.2. Awareness raising and training on water

management best practices for the industrial sector. High Low

Order of 17 June 2009 establishing the regulatory basis for granting subsidies for environmental education and awareness programmes (in the subsequent calls for applicants)

PROJECT 2.4.3. Awareness raising activities for conserving

the quality of waterways, for example, through the

Andarríos Programme. High Low

Order of 19 April 2009 establishing the regulatory basis for granting subsidies for local environmental volunteering projects (in the subsequent calls for applicants)

VIABILITY OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 3: TO ENHANCE THE GOOD ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER BODIES. COMPATIBILITY

WITH RECREATIONAL AND TOURISTIC USES.

PROGRAMME 3.1. RIVER MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION OF THE GOOD ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER BODIES AND

RELATED ECOSYSTEMS

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

DEGREE: ESTIMATED BUDGET:


AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 3.1.1: Management of riparian zones

and banks.

*3.1.1.a) Identification, evaluation and

management of riparian zones.

*3.1.1. b) To implement actions on tributaries in a

“top-bottom” approach, in order to do first the

most feasible actions in rivers quality

improvement.

Medium Very High FEDER Funding

PROJECT 3.1.2: To encourage the River Basin

Authority to settle the boundaries for Public

Waters. Medium Very High

PROJECT 3.1.3: Prevention measures against alien

invasive species proliferation, like zebra mussel

among others. High High

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PROGRAMME 3.2. SUSTAINABLE RECREATIONAL AND TOURISTIC USES

PROJECT FEASIBILITY



AVAILABLE:

PROJECT 3.2.1: To encourage the construction of

paths along the river and its tributaries sides, and

to make approach roads to bring the population

closer to the river. To connect Granada if possible

through the river and its tributaries sides trough

round circuits and to generate local employment.

To promote trekking in the area trough the

interpretation of heritage.

Medium High

PROJECT 3.2.2: To support local employment by

applying for European funding for Watershed

Projects. High High FEDER Funding

PROJECT 3.2.3: Environmental and visual

improvement of channels in the area. High High

PROJECT 3.2.4: To enhance water recreational

uses and to bring people closer to the river. Medium Very High

PROJECT 3.2.5: Conversion from the intensive

rainbow trout fishing site into a brown trout no-

kill sites in the medium-term. Medium High

PROJECT 3.2.6: To promote confined boat and

fishing tools rental as a prevention measure

against zebra mussel and as an economic activity. Medium Low

PROJECT 3.2.7: To create an organic Agricultural

Park in Loja and link its use to the river. Medium Very High

PROGRAMME 3.3. TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

PROJECT FEASIBILITY



AVAILABLE:

Project 3.3.1: To create awareness of the river as a

living ecosystem. “From knowledge to love and

from love to conservation”. High Low Order of 15 april 2009

Project 3.3.2: Environmental education activities

in order to prevent alien invasive species, with

special attention on zebra mussel High Low

PROGRAMME 3.4. MONITORING OF WATER QUALITY

PROJECT FEASIBILITY



AVAILABLE:

Project 3.4.1: Operational and Surveillance Water

Quality Monitoring Network.

*3.4.1.a) Study of the adequacy level of the

present Monitoring Network and proposal of new

sites if necessary.

*3.4.1.b) To do water quality analysis in some

sites in order to identify pollution point sources.

To do a temporal monitoring of ecological status

of water bodies.

Medium High

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3. PRIORITIZATION AND ACTION PLAN DEADLINES

3.1. METHODOLOGY FOR PRIORITIZATION

Priority of actions included in the Action Plan is defined as the level of urgency to implement such

actions.

The strategic guidelines, programs projects and their prioritization, as exposed in the Action Plan,

have been developed through a careful process of public participation in which key social actors,

present in the territory, discussed intensively until consensus was reached. Furthermore, the opinions

of many independent experts have been taken into consideration though a questioner where they

were asked to do their own prioritization of the projects and were also encouraged to give their

opinion about the importance and necessity of such projects and to propose potential projects -not

identified during the participation process-.

Prioritization of social actors was reached by consensus at the Integrative Roundtable celebrated on

March 1st

2012.

Technical prioritization became effective thanks to the collaborative effort of the following experts:

Alba Tercedor, Javier. University of Granada.

Castillo Martín, Antonio. Water Institute. University of Granada.

Frolova, Marina. University of Granada.

González del Tánago, Marta. Politechnic University of Madrid.

Valle Tendero, Francisco. University of Granada.

Lerdo de Tejada, Francisco. Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation

Matarán Ruiz, Alberto. University of Granada.

Nebot Sanz, Borja. Department of Environment. Government of Andalusia.

Valenzuela Montes, Luis Miguel. University of Granada.

The following priority ranges have been defined as:

Low: not essential actions but imply an important support of the environmental status of the

basin under study.

Medium: basic actions for the status’s improvement of the basin under study.

High: actions considered very important for the improvement of the basin under study.

Very high: indispensable actions, due to a mandatory normative or to correct an important

environmental deficiency in the basin under study.

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3.2. PRIORITIZATION RESULTS

This table shows a summary of the project prioritization results integrated in the Action Plan:

STRATEGIC LINE 1: WATER MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE Stakeholders

priority

Technical

Priority



*1.1.1.a) Renewal of canals to avoid water loss, including the main irrigation canal

of Huétor-Tájar and Villanueva Mesía.

*1.1.1. b) Processing subsidies and aid for renewing irrigation infrastructure.

Medium Very High

PROJECT 1.1.2. Running pilot experiments with efficient irrigation systems. High High


PROJECT 1.2.1. Study and spread of information about new pilot crops which are

profitable and attractive to the market, adapt well to the territory and have low

needs for water and fertiliser (e.g., pumpkin and persimmon)

High High

PROJECT 1.2.2. Collaboration between associations of livestock farmers and

agricultural farmers to use organic fertilisers in agriculture High Low

PROJECT 1.2.3. Spreading the use of agricultural best practices and raising

awareness of pollution by nitrates.

*1.2.3.a) Agricultural Best Practices: for example, levelling ground to improve the

effectiveness of irrigation and the absorption of nitrates, formulas to reduce the

leaching of nitrates or to ensure fewer nitrates are applied. Study of the viability

of using sludge from WWTPs as fertiliser.

*1.2.3.b) Activities to raise awareness of the consequences of the contamination

of aquifers by nitrates.

High Medium

PROJECT 1.2.4. Study of nitrate contamination levels in the Sierra Gorda aquifer. Medio High

PROJECT 1.2.5. Trade fairs promoting organic agriculture products. High Low

STRATEGIC LINE 2: THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CYCLE Stakeholders

priority

Technical Priority



*2.1.1.a) Construction and putting into use of the WWTP of Huétor-Tájar and

Villanueva Mesía. (Currently at the bidding stage.) Correct maintenance of the

WWTPs already existing in the Loja municipality.


High Very High

PROJECT 2.1.2. Enhancement of low-cost treatments in small population

centres, “ecological waste water treatment”. High Medium

PROJECT 2.1.3. Viability study to provide Tertiary Treatment Systems (such as

sand filters) where possible in treatment plants in order to reuse the water in

agriculture.

High Medium

PROGRAMME 2.2 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT

PROJECT 2.2.1. Constitution of a Provincial Body to Manage the Entire Water

Cycle. High Low

PROJECT 2.2.2. Detection of leaks in the supply networks. Remote monitoring

service for better leak monitoring. High Medium

PROJECT 2.2.3. Introduction of municipal metering to improve the monitoring

of consumption. High Medium

PROJECT 2.2.4. Improving the supply networks in scattered population centres. Medium High

PROJECT 2.2.5. Monitoring of illegal water intake by the Town Councils. High Low

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PROJECT 2.3.1. Approval of Municipal Ordinances on the Control of Industrial

Discharges to the municipal drainage network High Low

PROJECT 2.3.2. Encouraging organic fish farming. High Low


PROJECT 2.4.1. Awareness raising on the economical use of water and

minimising contamination from domestic sources, for the general public. High Low

PROJECT 2.4.2. Awareness raising and training on water management best

practices for the industrial sector. High Low

PROJECT 2.4.3. Awareness raising activities for conserving the quality of waterways,

for example, through the Andarríos Programme. High Low

STRATEGIC LINE 3: TO ENHANCE THE GOOD ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER

BODIES. COMPATIBILITY WITH RECREATIONAL AND TOURISTIC USES.

Stakeholders

priority

Technical

Priority


RELATED ECOSYSTEMS

PROJECT 3.1.1: Management of riparian zones and banks.

*3.1.1.a) Identification, evaluation and management of riparian zones.

*3.1.1. b) To implement actions on tributaries in a “top-bottom” approach, in order

to do first the most feasible actions in rivers quality improvement.

Medium Very High

PROJECT 3.1.2: To encourage the River Basin Authority to settle the boundaries for

Public Waters. Medium Very High

PROJECT 3.1.3: Prevention measures against alien invasive species proliferation, like

zebra mussel among others. High High


PROJECT 3.2.1: To encourage the construction of paths along the river and its

tributaries sides, and to make approach roads to bring the population closer to the

river. To connect Granada if possible through the river and its tributaries sides

trough round circuits and to generate local employment. To promote trekking in the

area trough the interpretation of heritage.

Medium High

PROJECT 3.2.2: To support local employment by applying for European funding for

Watershed Projects. High High

PROJECT 3.2.3: Environmental and visual improvement of channels in the area. High High

PROJECT 3.2.4: To enhance water recreational uses and to bring people closer to

the river. Medium Very High

PROJECT 3.2.5: Conversion from the intensive rainbow trout fishing site into a

brown trout no-kill sites in the medium-term. Medium High

PROJECT 3.2.6: To promote confined boat and fishing tools rental as a prevention

measure against zebra mussel and as an economic activity. Medium Low

PROJECT 3.2.7: To create an organic Agricultural Park in Loja and link its use to the

river. Medium Very High

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Project 3.3.1: To create awareness of the river as a living ecosystem.

“From knowledge to love and from love to conservation”. High Low

Project 3.3.2: Environmental education activities in order to prevent alien

invasive species, with special attention on zebra mussel High Low


Project 3.4.1: Operational and Surveillance Water Quality Monitoring Network.

*3.4.1.a) Study of the adequacy level of the present Monitoring Network and

proposal of new sites if necessary.

*3.4.1.b) To do water quality analysis in some sites in order to identify pollution

point sources. To do a temporal monitoring of ecological status of water bodies.

Medium High

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3.3. IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINES

Implementation deadlines are defined as the time of achievement and conclusion of the projects.

Three ranges have been established:

Short: less than 2 years.

Medium: 3 to 4 years.

Long: over de 4 years.

It must be mentioned that, although some projects can be achieved in short term (less than 2 years),

they should be executed steadily in temporal terms. In the chronogram below, its timing will be

shown along all the estimated period (4 years).

The indicative chronogram for the actions included in the Action Plan is shown as follows:

STRATEGIC LINE 1: WATER MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE 1 st year 2nd year 3 rd year 4 th year



*1.1.1.a) Renewal of canals to avoid water loss, including the main irrigation

canal of Huétor-Tájar and Villanueva Mesía.

*1.1.1. b) Processing subsidies and aid for renewing irrigation infrastructure.

PROJECT 1.1.2. Running pilot experiments with efficient irrigation systems.


PROJECT 1.2.1. Study and spread of information about new pilot crops which are

profitable and attractive to the market, adapt well to the territory and have low

needs for water and fertiliser (e.g., pumpkin and persimmon)

PROJECT 1.2.2. Collaboration between associations of livestock farmers and

agricultural farmers to use organic fertilisers in agriculture

PROJECT 1.2.3. Spreading the use of agricultural best practices and raising

awareness of pollution by nitrates.

*1.2.3.a) Agricultural Best Practices: for example, levelling ground to improve the

effectiveness of irrigation and the absorption of nitrates, formulas to reduce the

leaching of nitrates or to ensure fewer nitrates are applied. Study of the viability

of using sludge from WWTPs as fertiliser.

*1.2.3.b) Activities to raise awareness of the consequences of the contamination

of aquifers by nitrates.

PROJECT 1.2.4. Study of nitrate contamination levels in the Sierra Gorda aquifer.

PROJECT 1.2.5. Trade fairs promoting organic agriculture products.

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STRATEGIC LINE 2: THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CYCLE 1 st year 2nd year 3 rd year 4 th year



*2.1.1.a) Construction and putting into use of the WWTP of Huétor-Tájar and

Villanueva Mesía. (Currently at the bidding stage.) Correct maintenance of the

WWTPs already existing in the Loja municipality.


PROJECT 2.1.2. Enhancement of low-cost treatments in small population centres,

“ecological waste water treatment”.

PROJECT 2.1.3. Viability study to provide Tertiary Treatment Systems (such as

sand filters) where possible in treatment plants in order to reuse the water in

agriculture.


PROJECT 2.2.1. Constitution of a Provincial Body to Manage the Entire Water

Cycle.

PROJECT 2.2.2. Detection of leaks in the supply networks. Remote monitoring

service for better leak monitoring.

PROJECT 2.2.3. Introduction of municipal metering to improve the monitoring of

consumption.

PROJECT 2.2.4. Improving the supply networks in scattered population centres.

PROJECT 2.2.5. Monitoring of illegal water intake by the Town Councils.


PROJECT 2.3.1. Approval of Municipal Ordinances on the Control of Industrial

Discharges to the municipal drainage network

PROJECT 2.3.2. Encouraging organic fish farming.


PROJECT 2.4.1. Awareness raising on the economical use of water and

minimising contamination from domestic sources, for the general public.

PROJECT 2.4.2. Awareness raising and training on water management

best practices for the industrial sector.

PROJECT 2.4.3. Awareness raising activities for conserving the quality of

waterways, for example, through the Andarríos Programme.

Página 16 de 29

STRATEGIC LINE 3: TO ENHANCE THE GOOD ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER

BODIES. COMPATIBILITY WITH RECREATIONAL AND TOURISTIC USES.

1 st year 2nd year 3 rd year 4 th year


RELATED ECOSYSTEMS

PROJECT 3.1.1: Management of riparian zones and banks.

*3.1.1.a) Identification, evaluation and management of riparian zones.

*3.1.1. b) To implement actions on tributaries in a “top-bottom” approach, in

order to do first the most feasible actions in rivers quality improvement.

PROJECT 3.1.2: To encourage the River Basin Authority to settle the boundaries

for Public Waters.

PROJECT 3.1.3: Prevention measures against alien invasive species proliferation,

like zebra mussel among others.


PROJECT 3.2.1: To encourage the construction of paths along the river and its

tributaries sides, and to make approach roads to bring the population closer to

the river. To connect Granada if possible through the river and its tributaries sides

trough round circuits and to generate local employment. To promote trekking in

the area trough the interpretation of heritage.

PROJECT 3.2.2: To support local employment by applying for European funding

for Watershed Projects.

PROJECT 3.2.3: Environmental and visual improvement of channels in the area.

PROJECT 3.2.4: To enhance water recreational uses and to bring people closer to

the river.

PROJECT 3.2.5: Conversion from the intensive rainbow trout fishing site into a

brown trout no-kill sites in the medium-term.

PROJECT 3.2.6: To promote confined boat and fishing tools rental as a prevention

measure against zebra mussel and as an economic activity.

PROJECT 3.2.7: To create an organic Agricultural Park in Loja and link its use to the

river.


Project 3.3.1: To create awareness of the river as a living ecosystem.

“From knowledge to love and from love to conservation”.

Project 3.3.2: Environmental education activities in order to prevent

alien invasive species, with special attention on zebra mussel


Project 3.4.1: Operational and Surveillance Water Quality Monitoring Network.

*3.4.1.a) Study of the adequacy level of the present Monitoring Network and

proposal of new sites if necessary.

*3.4.1.b) To do water quality analysis in some sites in order to identify pollution

point sources. To do a temporal monitoring of ecological status of water bodies.

Página 17 de 29

4. ALTERNATIVE CHOICES FOR THE ACTION PLAN

Throughout the planning process, the methodological scheme widely accepted by the aquatic

ecosystem planning doctrine consists in first instance, on the identification and definition of the

problem; to achieve this all relevant Information is collected and analyzed, which in turn, will help to

recognize and propose alternative solutions that will be compared to each other in order to choose

the best possible solution in the frame of the proposed goals and objectives. Somehow, this diagram

also corresponds to the basic underlying structure in most studies of territorial planning, distributed

in 3 fundamental stages: (1) territorial analysis; (2) diagnostics, with identification of problems and

potentials, (3) proposals, with identification and selection of alternatives (Pujadas y Font, 1998:36).

On the base of these premises, the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the region under

study is raised in the Water Action Plan of WaterInCore, even going beyond that by detecting the

need to transfer the obtained results to the next level: the basin level.

To achieve this, the incorporation of technicians and experts of environmental sustainability as well as

social actors committed with environmental values (ecologist, nature Conservation and

environmental education associations) into the planning process was considered fundamental. These

participants would work in team with the rest of social actors in the territory, ensuring the

incorporation of environmental criteria into the elaboration of the Action Plan; a number of

alternatives were identified and selected until the most adequate solution was reached through

consensus during all the planning process.

Following these premises, it is not possible to propose an alternative Action Plan to the one reached

by consensus among all social actors, technicians and experts linked to the territory and whose

objective is to return the basin to a good ecological status. Because of this, we consider two potential

scenarios would be the result of applying Alternative 0 (no Plan) or the Alternative 1 which presents a

predictable scenario after the implementation of the Social Action Plan.

4.1. ALTERNATIVE 0 -NO PLAN-

Once the ecological conditions of the river section under study were identified –Higher Genil lower

basin- across the municipalities of de Villanueva Mesía, Huétor Tájar and Loja, it was determined that

the ecological status of the riverbed in this zone is lower than good, after this conclusion, main causes

were analyzed and it was noted that:

The river is used as a sewer for and important part of all residual urban waters.

Industrial waters are also dumped in the river (agro industry and fish farms) without

any previous treatment.

Intensive agriculture in a number of areas is causing a significant pressure on the

water bodies, due to the loss and pollution of water flow and of the aquifer

pollution.

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Public Water domain has been invaded by farmers and even municipal

infrastructure, over-restricting the natural river flow.

Riverside vegetation is undergoing through considerable degradation.

Recreational and touristic activities (such as fishing or recreational sailing) are

currently very restricted to avoid the proliferation of alien exotic species.

Pressure over upstream water bodies by Granada´s metropolitan industries and

agriculture is causing degradation to a “less than good” category for the water

bodies at the first monitoring entrance point in the study area.

The Plan Design Team, together with social actors and experts, analyzed a potential future scenario of

the Basin if current conditions are maintained or intensified: the potential scenario is disheartening,

due to demographic growth, intensive agriculture, agro industries and fish farming which are actually

increasing due to processes of global modernization and massive migration from the cities into rural

areas in the frame of a crisis of less water-demanding sectors such as construction and associated

activities.

Therefore, Alternative 0 -No Plan, seems like a non very desirable alternative for a region that is

affected by an increasing degradation of its riverbeds, aquifers and in general its territories, which are

at the same time subject to fines for non compliance with normative such as the Water Framework

Directive, mandatory for the return of the ecological and chemical status of the water bodies before

2015.

4.2. ALTERNATIVE 1: ACTION PLAN

The proposed Action Plan, resulting from a consensus among all participating social actors, analyzes

the current and future situation of the basin, in case the current trends are maintained, by analyzing

each of the problems related to understanding water bodies as a resource rather than as a

patrimonial common good, and proposing solutions to solve these problems as soon as possible, by

applying three strategic guidelines, 10 Programs and 33 Action Projects.

The main goal of the Action Plan is to restore the good ecological and chemical status of the Alto Genil

lower basin and bestow to water its value as patrimonial common good, unlinking it from the

category “resource”, that relates water to economic exploitation.

We expect that the implementation of the Action Plan will grant the Basin a higher ecological,

landscape and social value and will ensure the permanence of the population in this territory, by

generating employment that values their rives as a common heritage and caring for them.

To assure the implementation of the measures contained in the Action Plan, which will improve the

status of the Basin, a system of environmental, social and economic indicators is proposed. These

indicators will allow to evaluate the good practices established by the Plan and they will be reviewed

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in an ongoing basis depending on the frequency established for each through the in the Sustainability

Plan associated to Project WaterInCore.

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5. ACTION PLAN SUSTAINABILITY

5.1. PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY

In order to reach sustainability, the Project WATERinCORE, through its Action Plan, proposes

solutions to face 6 fundamental problems, as result of strategies and plans of higher level:

Environmental Sustainability: as an expression of physical viability of socioeconomic

systems in a biophysical context in which other resources –renewable and not-

renewable- are available with restrictions in temporal and spatial scale.

Climate Change: as main topic of planet equilibrium degradation that manifests

through the variation of normal climate conditions in medium-term period.

Restriction on pollution demand and control: expected limitation expected to occur at

a medium-term period, since water reserves are decreasing and their quality is

degraded in this zone.

European objectives, established in the Water Framework Directive, intend the

prevention and reduction of pollution, the promotion of sustainable water use, and

environmental protection, the improvement of the aquatic ecosystems and the

amelioration of floods and drought effects, being the ultimate goal to reach a good

ecological and chemical status for all communal waters by 2015.

Establishment of a new culture of water: water must not be considered as a

commercial good but patrimony that needs to be protected and preserved. The new

culture of water demands water to be conceived as an “ecosocial” active, the need to

manage the demand rather than the offer, the application of techniques such as

studies of cost-benefit or studies of environmental impact and the concept of water

basin as a unit, trying to eradicated water transferring and reservoirs.

Disconnect between economic growth and natural resources consumption, achieving

a non-materialistic economy centered on services rather than physical products.

All this problems have been taken into account during the design of the Plan, although some of them

are difficulties alien to the hydrobiological planning itself.

To achieve the challenges satisfactorily, a number of aspects are needed:

It is important to adapt consumption to a scenario of available goods without

compromising the good ecological and chemical status of the water bodies.

Integration of policies by sectors: It’s fundamental that considerations of

hydrobiological nature are reflected in policies addressed by sectors... The most

water-consuming sectors don´t take into account the future constraints imposed by

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their current necessities. Agricultural and livestock industries, as well as industrial and

urban activities, must consider scenarios of much less water-demanding

environments as feasible and desirable situations.

An observational framework of water as a natural good: nowadays water is

considered a basic service and all demanding sectors consider it as a problem as long

as it is supplied according to their demands. The reality is that water-demanding

agents do not take into account the fact that behind this service there is a natural

resource of very limited availability and that its over-exploitation can cause serious

environmental problems.

Evaluation of local effects of climatic change: when reducing the evaluation scale of

the effects caused by climate change, uncertainty grows considerably; it is very

unlikely that water-demanding agents see climatic change as a serious threat that

could affect them to the degree of see themselves in the situation of taking measures

to avoid it. In later years it seems that these aspects are starting to be taken into

account with enough strictness, but there is still a long road to be walked until these

alert flags will be considered important and internalized as such by the population. All

these questions restrain the achievement of the proposed goals. The hydrobiological

planning is widely overcome by the events and proposed challenges. The Action Plan

doesn´t have competence in most of them but on a tangential level, through

management tools that can be eventually posed.

Nevertheless, the Action Plan has taken as a strategic option the creation of a context in which all the

challenges can be proposed, and therefore, reached as soon as possible. In order to achieve this, a

strategic option has been adopted to share widely fundamental tools or planning tools on a higher

level, fulfilling the obligation of keeping coherency among them.

5.2. EXTERNAL COHERENCE

The external coherence of the WaterInCore Project, and concretely of the Action Plan, i.e., how they

fit into their regulatory and planning framework, is analysed considering the content of the Plan itself

regarding the overall and local environmental and strategic context.

Specifically, the Action Plan takes into account the following EU, state and regional regulations:

Directiva 2000/60/CE por la que se establece un marco comunitario de actuación en el

ámbito de la política de aguas.

Ley 9/2010, de 30 de julio, de Aguas de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía

Real Decreto 60/2011, de 21 de enero, sobre las normas de calidad ambiental en el


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Real Decreto 60/2011, de 21 de enero, sobre las normas de calidad ambiental en el


Real Decreto 849/1986, de 11 de abril, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento del

Dominio Público Hidráulico.

Real Decreto 9/2008, de 11 de enero, por el que se modifica el Reglamento del

Dominio Público Hidráulico, aprobado por el Real Decreto 849/1986, de 11 de abril.

Real Decreto 606/2003 de 23 de mayo, por el que se modifica el Reglamento del

Dominio Público Hidráulico, aprobado por el Real Decreto 849/1986, de 11 de abril.

Real Decreto 907/2007, de 6 de julio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la

Planificación Hidrológica.

Decreto 189/2002, de 2 de julio, por el que se aprueba el Plan de Prevención de

Avenidas e Inundaciones en cauces urbanos andaluces.

Real Decreto 903/2010, de 9 de julio, de evaluación y gestión de riesgos de

inundación.

Decreto 120/1991, de 11 de junio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de suministro

domiciliario de agua.

Real Decreto 140/2003, de 7 de febrero, por el que se establecen los criterios

sanitarios de la calidad del agua de consumo humano.

Directiva del Consejo 91/676/CEE, de 12 de diciembre de 1991, relativa a la

protección de las aguas contra la contaminación producida por nitratos procedentes

de fuentes agrarias.

Real Decreto 261/1996, de 16 de febrero, sobre protección de las aguas contra la

contaminación producida por los nitratos procedentes de fuentes agrarias.

Decreto 261/1998, de 15 de diciembre, por el que se designan las zonas vulnerables a

la contaminación por nitratos procedentes de fuentes agrarias en la Comunidad

Autónoma de Andalucía.

Plan de Ordenación del Territorio de Andalucía aprobado por Decreto 206/2006, de

28 de noviembre y publicado en el Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía del día 29

de diciembre de 2006.

Plan General de Turismo Sostenible de Andalucía aprobado por Decreto 261/2007, de

16 de octubre (Boja núm.230, de 22 de noviembre de 2007).

Programa de Desarrollo Rural de Andalucía 2008-2013.

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Estrategia Andaluza de Gestión Integrada de la Biodiversidad.

5.3. INTERNAL COHERENCE

The Action Plan is the instrument which defines the water policy of the Lower Basin of the Upper

Genil where it passes through the municipalities of Villanueva Mesía, Huétor Tájar and Loja, and deals

with “Sustainable Water Management through improving Shared Responsibility in Mediterranean

river basins.”

The analysis of the internal coherence of the Plan uses a qualitative methodology which describes the

essential principles of the Plan and relates them to its lines of strategy, programmes and action

projects.

In this case, the coherence analysis should try to describe the cascade of elements and relationships

in play in the configuration of these strategic objectives.

The search for a new Water Management model has become one of the most important directions for

this Action Plan.

In other words, the Plan includes not only the subjects relating to the aspects of a “pure water supply

and drainage system” (assets, supply and drainage infrastructure, supply and drainage networks) but

also looks at the deeper question of what is happening in the socioeconomic fabric of the basin to

create continuous growth in the demand for water and the increasing deterioration of the water

masses.

The major role of the schema of dominant sociocultural values, the productive sectors of the

economy and the general economic context are the elements with the greatest influence on the

increasing demand for water. As already remarked, the psychological and sociological feeling that a

resource is unlimited, due to ignoring the unavoidable physical reality or its limitation, accentuates

the current tendency to growth in the demand for and contamination of water.

The Action Plan establishes as one of its principles “to involve society as a whole (agricultural and

livestock farmers, industries, administration and the public) in a new water culture” (a principle

established in the Water Framework Directive), which materialises mainly through the projects for

agricultural and industrial best practices, water treatment and environmental education, so that an

awareness of water as a basic and scarce resource becomes implanted in society, encouraging

efficient use, conservation and the avoidance of contamination in all the water-consuming sectors in

the area”. In fact, at this level, this strategic objective is proposing a change in the scale of values

which, in the current economic context, focusing on growth which by definition cannot be controlled

and which to date has produced a parallel growth in water consumption without distinction, can be

seen as a unique opportunity for guiding the directive forces in the right direction. These are the key

subjects which the Plan attempts to foster through a strategic framework to introduce a "new water

culture" into society.

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The policies to save water, reduce contamination and increase efficiency in processes and systems

form the framework for all the measures relating to improving infrastructure, innovation in crop

plants which require less water, and another new element in the Action Plan: the interweaving of

water policy with territorial zoning and tourism policies.

The Plan, as it proposes improving the efficiency of water use and the reduction of the need for water

in all economic sectors, will also influence the behaviour of structural indicators of the local economy,

such as their future competitiveness, preparing them for possible periods of scarcity relating to the

foreseeable effects of Climate Change.

We should not forget the importance of the invigorating effect on the innovation system of investing

in new models of crops, industrial production, sustainable leisure and tourism which will undoubtedly

require improved technology and management applications, especially as regards devices which

increase efficiency and make maximum use of water, while reducing its contamination.

Fostering organic agriculture and organic fish farming is a key aspect of reducing environmental

impacts on water, as these methods do not use substances which could degrade its quality.

As can be seen in the qualitative schemas, once the demand is generated, all the later effects are

negative to a greater or lesser degree. Thus, the Action Plan understands that the best way to avoid

environmental impacts and to ensure the environmental viability of the system is intervention from

the beginning of the process, i.e., in the modulation of demand for water. In other words, an urgent

intervention is needed in the water-consuming sectors, and also to change social values regarding a

scarce natural resource, which in economic terms could compromise the levels of competitiveness of

the local economy and the maintenance or recovery of the satisfactory ecological condition of the

water masses.

Once certain demands for water exist, it is very difficult to supply that demand without having a

significant effect on the environment. The only options may be to increase the efficiency of the

productive sectors or of the distribution systems of this resource. All of this is difficult to improve in a

short time, if these policies are not accompanied by the modification of the context of water

management; the mechanisms may be economic (the price of water), fiscal (taxes and levies), and

environmental (environmental permits for installations, and fines).

The strategic option of the new plan is to establish guidelines and strategic mechanisms to

intervene in modulating drivers, enabling the dynamic of reducing demand for water to prevail

over its increase, and to institute, as quickly as possible, a “new water culture” among all the

actors and the general public in the area, so that it can be seen as an asset, not as a

resource.

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6. MONITORING INDICATOR SYSTEM

To ensure the sustainability of the Action Plan is monitored, a system of indicators is established,

defined as a set of parameters obtained at set intervals and which are fundamental intended to track

the evolution of each of the Programmes and Projects undertaken to improve the weak points found

during the creation of the Action Plan.

The indicators are defined as measureable parameters which show the status of the project and

degree of reaching the proposed goals at any given time.

The indicators must show the evolution of water management in the lower basin of the upper Genil in

terms of sustainability, and insofar as a tendency to change is observed from the initial evaluations of

the Action Plan, forecast the mechanisms for changing the Plan in order to achieve the desired change

in trend.

The frequency and methodology of tracking the indicators will be as established in the Monitoring

Plan associated with the WaterInCore Project.

TRACKING INDICATORS OF STRATEGIC LINE 1: WATER MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE


INDICATORS

Annual investment devoted to renewal and modernisation of irrigation


INDICATORS

Number of agricultural species introduced to the traditional agricultural market of the area.

Number of agricultural and livestock farming associations signing agreements for the use of organic manures.

Percentage of use of organic manures in agriculture.

Number of Best Agricultural Practices (BAPs) training and awareness raising actions per year.

Reduction of nitrate use in local agriculture.

Percentage of sludge from the WWTP used as manure for agriculture.

Nitrate contamination levels in the Sierra Gorda aquifer.

Number of Fairs to Promote Organic Products organised per year.

Production levels of organic agriculture products in the area.

Number of participants in the Fairs to Promote Organic Products per year.

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TRACKING INDICATORS OF STRATEGIC LINE 2: THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CYCLE


INDICATORS

Percentage of the population connected to waste water treatment systems.

Number of population systems with low cost or alternative technology treatment systems.

Percentage of treated urban waste water reused in agriculture.


INDICATORS

Number of municipalities adhering to the Supramunicipal Body to Manage the Urban Water Cycle in the

Province of Granada.

Technical performance of the drinking water supply network.

Number of municipal water meters.

Percentage of leaks in the municipal networks.

Evaluation of the water consumption measured over a year.

Budget invested in renewing supply and drainage networks per year.

Number of illegal water intakes.


INDICATORS

Existence of Municipal Ordinances on the Control of Industrial Discharges to the municipal drainage network.

Percentage of fish farms meeting organic fish farming criteria of the total in the area.

PROGRAMME 2.4. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AND BEST PRACTICES IN THE USE OF URBAN AND

INDUSTRIAL WATER

INDICATORS

Number of environmental awareness campaigns about domestic water management per year.

Number of environmental awareness campaigns about industrial water management per year.

Number of industries implementing environmental best practices.

Total number of people participating in the awareness activities.

Degree of awareness among the public.

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TRACKING INDICATORS OF STRATEGIC LINE 3: THE ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER. COMPATIBILITY WITH

RECREATIONAL AND TOURISTIC USES.

PROGRAMME 3.1. RIVER MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION OF THE GOOD ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF WATER

BODIES AND RELATED ECOSYSTEMS

INDICATORS

Number of measures to restore river banks.

Length of public domain waterways with boundaries.

Level of zebra mussel infestation at critical points of the waterway.


INDICATORS

Length of paths associated with the River Genil and its tributaries.

Number of environmentally-related employment workshops involved with the conservation of the River Genil.

Funds allocated per year for work to conserve the River Genil.

Degree of acceptance by the general public of the applied improvements.

Ecological status of the River Genil in the stretches in the pilot basin.

Characterisation of the fishing reserves in the pilot basin.

Number of restricted boar hires and restricted fishing equipment contracted.

Existence of Agricultural Parks in the pilot basin.


INDICATORS

Number of actions organised to raise awareness of the conservation of ecological status.

Number of people attending the actions organised to raise awareness.

Number of actions organised to raise awareness of the proliferation of the zebra mussel.

Degree of awareness of the problem of zebra mussels.


INDICATORS

Number of water quality control points in the pilot basin.

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7. EVALUATION OF RISK

Below we briefly evaluate the main risks which might prevent the execution of the Projects proposed

in the Water Action Plan.

For each Line of Strategy, the situational factors which must be considered will be selected, relative

both to the uncertainty and to the complexity of the specific Projects it includes.

Also makes a proposal for mitigation of those risks.

RISK OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 1: WATER MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

RISK FACTORS MITIGATION MEASURES

Changes in the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Adapt programs and projects to measures established

by the new CAP.

Lack of sources of funding for executing the Projects.

Find private funding sources in addition to public

sources and prioritize projects based on available

resources.

Lack of environmental awareness in the agricultural sector.

Perform actions and environmental awareness

training for farmers.

RISK OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 2: THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL WATER CYCLE


Scattering of administrative responsibilities for water management.

Encourage agreements between governments and

ensure that the competent authorities to carry out

the agreed projects. The Social Agreement was signed

by the competent authorities.


Find private funding in addition to public funding, to

adhere to the Ente Provincial Water Management.

Prioritize projects based on available resources.

Lack of environmental awareness in the urban sector. To provide training and environmental awareness in

urban areas to reach the entire population.

Lack of environmental awareness in the industrial sector.

To provide training and awareness in the industrial

sector and involve the industry in the region of the

issues around water.

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RISK OF THE STRATEGIC LINE 3: The Ecological Status of Water. Compatibility with recreational and touristic uses.


Scattering of administrative responsibilities for water management.

Encourage agreements between governments and

ensure that the competent authorities to carry out

the agreed projects. The Social Agreement was signed

by the competent authorities.


Find private funding sources in addition to public

sources and prioritize projects based on available

resources.

Lack of environmental awareness regarding the proliferation of invasive species.

To provide training and environmental awareness for

the entire population.

Lack of sustainable tourism initiatives associated with aquatic ecosystems. Promoting sustainable tourism activities.

Documents

Feasibility Analysis of the Water Management …study about the technical and economic feasibility, -regarding the environmental component-, of the projects included in such Action