The limited success of formal water markets in the Segura River basin, Spain

Figures & data

Figure 1. Hydrological and irrigated areas in the Segura basin. Source: Own elaboration with data from the Segura River Basin Authority.

Note: TST = Tagus-Segura Transfer.

Figure 2. Annual volume of water traded between users of the Segura River basin and price interval (volumes in Mm³; prices in €/m³; 2000–15). Source: Own elaboration with information supplied by the Segura River Basin Authority, SCRATS (2015) and buyers. Prices are at source, not including VAT or transportation costs.

Table 1. Lease contracts between Segura River basin and Tagus River basin users.

Buyer in Segura	Transferor in Tagus	Water year	Volume (Mm^3)	Price (€/m^3)	Settlement (€)
MCT (Urban)	Las Aves Channel WUA	2005–06	35.52	0.2885*	10,247,520
		2006–07	36.03	0.2364	8,517,492
		2007–08	36.94	0.3130	11,562,220
SCRATS (agricultural users)	Estremera Channel WUA	2005–06	31.05	0.1856	5,761,700
		2006–07	31.05	0.1881	5,839,480
		2007–08	31.05	0.192	5,962,097
		2008–09	31.05	0.192	5,962,097
		2013–14	5.56	0.06	333,600
		2014–15	7.7	0.06	462,000
		2015–16	8.973	0.085	762,705
	La Poveda WUA	2013–14	1.42	0.06	85,200
		2014–15	1.42	0.06	85,200
		2015–16	1.42	0.085	120,700

Source: Own elaboration based on Claver (2013), SCRATS (2009, 2015, 2016), annual reports from MCT (2007, 2008, 2009), and additional data supplied by buyers. Volumes measured at source (the final on-site volume after accounting for transport losses is reduced by 10%). Prices at source include neither VAT nor the respective Tagus-Segura Transfer tariff.

*The settlement for loss of earnings established in the 2006 agreement was €0.20/m³, plus €0.0885/m³ to compensate farmers who had already sustained some cultivation costs when the agreement was signed.

Figure 3. Annual volume of water purchased by users in the Segura River basin and average price paid (volumes in Mm³; prices in €/m³; 2000–15). Source: Own elaboration with information supplied by the Segura River Basin Authority, SCRATS (2015) and buyers. Prices are at source, not including VAT or transportation costs.

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