ABSTRACT
Competing access to water resources among sectors and regions has become a major socio-economic, environmental, and institutional problem in many arid and semiarid countries worldwide (Rosegrant et al. 2002; Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture 2007). Spain is the most arid country in Europe, and water issues as well as region-based rivalry for water are at the core of many public debates. Spain is at the crossroads of the water-abundant Europe and the arid Mediterranean basin. The agricultural sector in Spain is the largest water consumer, much likewise in other Mediterranean countries, and it is perceived as the main provoker of the nation’s water conflicts. At present, the water sector in Spain is facing the challenge to adapt to the new European water policies that rank high in the political agendas of European policy makers and the Spanish national and regional administrations. Yet, water policy in Europe is mainly quality-driven and ecosystem-oriented not always tailored to address water scarcity and drought problems in arid countries.
