The Minister of Water, Agriculture and Environment, Adela Martinez-Cacho, said today that the agreement approved last week by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment to supply desalinated water to irrigators Totana is "a precedent for that start the regularization of irrigation traditions Paretón, El Raiguero and La Huerta of that locality. "
The Minister said that "it was essential to take this step to be carried out signing the agreement to legalize irrigation systems, which can be signed at the time when there is a stable government in Madrid".
Martinez-Cacho, accompanied by the general director of Water, Andres Martinez, visited the Community of Irrigators of Totana and recalled that "the agreement approved last week by the Ministry is of vital importance for irrigators of the town as it ensures water desalinated to 3,550 community members who have a total supply of 10 cubic hectometres per year of desalinated water from the desalination plant Eagles. "
At the meeting, the Community of Irrigators of Totana made known to the minister the project that will bring water to irrigate 5,200 hectáreasde traditional irrigation areas Paretón, the Raiguero and La Huerta de Totana.
The project, which will amount to more than 11 million euros, focused on the construction of a series of ponds and pipes, will benefit about 900 families living from agriculture in the area of ​​Totana.
The agreement with Totana allow supply 10 cubic hectometres until September 30, 2016, in keeping with the Drought Decree, which may be extended for one year.
It also foresees the recovery of costs through their distribution between the Commonwealth of Taibilla Channel, who holds the priority right to the water supply, and the community of irrigators Totana, which will assume the variable operating costs and a part of fixed costs.
The desalinated water will be delivered in the raft of Cerro Colorado and reach the irrigable area Totanaa through the main distribution pipe desalinated water in the valley of Guadalentín, which built the Ministry within the measures authorized by the Decree of Drought and which came into service last March.
This drive has a total length of 27 kilometers and represents an investment of 20 million euros.
The Community of Irrigators of Totana, founded in 1979, has a total surface of 6,500 hectares irrigated, serving some 3,550 villagers, for what has a maximum amount of 12,550,000 cubic meters from 801,000 from the transfer and reuse of the treatment plant.
