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Marina Baixa still battling water scarcity as Supreme Court upholds river flows
Despite storms elsewhere in Spain, low reservoirs and court ruling leave Benidorm area on high alert
While much of Spain is breathing a sigh of relief after recent Atlantic storms boosted water reserves, one corner of Alicante province is still in the thick of it. The Marina Baixa region, home to Benidorm and surrounding towns, remains on scarcity alert despite the downpours. The local water consortium says the situation is "worrying", pinning much of the blame on a Supreme Court ruling that forces year-round ecological flows in the Guadalest and Amadorio rivers.The area's two key reservoirs are far from full. Amadorio is sitting at 27% capacity with 4.4 cubic hectometres, while Guadalest has 4 cubic hectometres at 32%. Even after late 2025 rains brought 180 litres per square metre and lifted levels from a dire 20%, the region still faces a 400 litre deficit from three straight dry years (2023-2025). For context, the Amadorio dam was taking in just 0.14 cubic metres last Saturday while releasing 0.19 for the river flow. "Every bit of water matters when there is none," notes technical director Jaime Berenguer.
Court ruling adds pressure
On November 5 2025, the Supreme Court backed the Ministry for Ecological Transition's (MITECO) stance, classifying the rivers as conventional waterways rather than seasonal ramblas. This means constant water releases from already strained reservoirs, despite the consortium's argument that they naturally flow only during heavy rain. Berenguer points to the nearby Gorgos River in Marina Alta, recognised by the Júcar River Basin Authority (CHJ) as a rambla with no such obligation in drought.
The Marina Baixa Water Consortium supplies 97% of the population in Benidorm, Altea, Vila Joiosa, Finestrat, Polop, La Nucía and l'Alfàs del Pi, managing 45 cubic hectometres yearly (50% urban, 50% agriculture). They now rely heavily on Mutxamel desalination plant water under temporary authorisation.
Looking ahead: desalination and short-term fixes
To meet rising urban demand over the next decade, they need 12 more cubic hectometres annually. Plans include a new Benidorm plant (6 hm³, reclaiming a 2000 concession from Terra Mítica) and MITECO's Vila Joiosa facility by 2034. For 2026, 6 hm³ from Mutxamel is lined up: 2 hm³ this spring, 4 hm³ over summer.
Berenguer highlights 25 years of underinvestment compared to south Alicante's €205 million spend, and calls for more wastewater reuse. Projects in Altea and Vila Joiosa are starting tertiary treatment, while Benidorm's expansion to 10.5 hm³ by 2027 could irrigate 3,850 hectares and support zero discharge goals at Serra Gelada.
The CHJ keeps Marina Baixa on alert, unlike areas cushioned by transfers or canals. With tourism central to Benidorm, steady supply matters. It is a tense balancing act between environment, ecology and everyday needs.
Image: wikicommons
