Bilateral agreement on minimum water flow Guadiana and Tagus river

Prime minister Luís Montenegro of Portugal and President Pedro Sanchez of Spain have agreed on a minimum water flow in the Tagus and Guadiana river. The rivers are crossing both countries and the availability of river water is crucial on both sides of the border. The joint statement was presented Wednesday the 23^rd of October during the 35th Portuguese-Spanish Summit in Faro.

During the Summit 11 agreements on water were made.  Montenegro said it is essential that the water that both countries share is well managed. “Both in its use for human supply and for economic activities, from agriculture to tourism.” The agreement on a minimum water flow also aims to guarantee the good condition of the estuary and the equitable distribution of the flows available for the use of both States.

Irrigation water

The joint statement confirms the previously announced agreements to regulate irrigation water taken from the Alqueva reservoir by farmers from both countries, under which Spanish users will pay Portugal for the water they take, under the same conditions as those imposed on the Portuguese side.

Environment ministers prepared the agreement

At a meeting on 27 September in Aranjuez, in the Madrid region, the Portuguese and Spanish environment ministers had already announced an agreement in principle to set minimum daily flows for the Tagus and, for the first time, for the Guadiana. According to the Portuguese Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho, the agreement on irrigation water from the Alqueva reservoir will also allow progress to be made on the Portuguese project to collect water in the Pomarão area, in the district of Beja, to supply the Algarve, which affects international waters.

Agreements on fishing

The two governments also signed an agreement that will make it possible to regulate professional and recreational fishing in the international section of the River Guadiana. This agreement, according to the summit’s final declaration, should guarantee equal conditions for the fishing communities of both countries, together with the protection of the ecosystem and biodiversity, ensuring the sustainability of fishing activity.

Water stress management is necessary

In 2021 the European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report presenting the current state of water stress in Europe. The report shows climate change requires water stress management. The deal Portugal and Spain made is a good example of responsible water governance.