Recent developments in Spanish water policy. Alternatives and conflicts at the end of the hydraulic age

摘要: Abstract After a century of massive transformation surface and groundwater resources for agricultural, industrial, urban development, water policy in Spain seems to be reaching turning point. The National Water Plan (NWP) 1993, insisting on the postulates what we call “hydraulic paradigm”, envisaged development further hydraulic infrastructure, particularly very ambitious system long distance transfers between rich poor basins. plan, however, generated strong territorial social opposition, suffered several modifications, has yet approved by Spanish Parliament. We argue that reasons behind failure plan lie structural trends ill suited philosophy “water everybody at no cost”, new political organization state which regions play more dominant role, and, lesser extent, environmental pressures. attempt illustrate this argument examining how three key dimensions debate, regional, economic, environmental, have affected original plan. These dimensions, may also odds with each other lead towards fragmented future prone turmoil after relative stability era.