Spain's southern coast produces up to 25% of Europe's fruit and vegetables. However, the region is facing a water crisis due to intensive farming, climate change, and illegal wells. Donana National Park, a significant wetland in southwestern Spain, is experiencing severe water shortages. The area relies on an underground aquifer that has been depleted by illegal extraction. In 2016, WWF Spain reported over 1,000 illegal wells and more than 1,700 illegally irrigated ponds in the Donana wetland, covering an area equivalent to 4,200 football fields.
Local residents express concern about the diminishing water supply, which affects their daily lives and livestock. The Donana region, historically a royal hunting ground, began transitioning to agriculture in the early 20th century. In 1971, the Spanish government declared the region's irrigation a national priority, leading to the Almonte-Marismas Plan aimed at boosting food production, particularly strawberries, which are highly profitable but water-intensive.
The extraction of water from the aquifer exceeded sustainable levels, prompting farmers to resort to illegal wells. In 2019, a tragic incident involving a child falling into an illegal borehole led to increased scrutiny and enforcement against water theft. In 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Spain had failed to protect the Donana aquifer, violating EU law.
Authorities, alongside NGOs like WWF Spain, now monitor illegal water extraction using satellite imagery and drones. Investigators assess flow meters for tampering, as illegal extraction can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
To address the overuse of water resources, a €1.4 billion joint plan has been initiated to shut down illegal wells and restore protected areas. Farmers are adapting by implementing drip irrigation systems and planting less water-intensive crops. Similar challenges are faced globally, with countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Morocco also grappling with water supply issues due to intensive agriculture. As climate change exacerbates these challenges, coordinated efforts from governments and farmers will be essential to manage water resources sustainably.