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Integrated Management, Circular Economy and Reclaimed Water: Keys to Restoring the Long-Term Water Balance in La Marina Alta (Alicante, Spain)

Author

Listed:
  • César Sánchez-Pérez

    (Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • María-Inmaculada López-Ortiz

    (Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

This research is focused on water governance problems in La Marina Alta District, in the province of Alicante (southeastern Spain). The district has a public management body, Consorcio de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento de Aguas de los Municipios de La Marina Alta (CASAMA), which has been inoperative since its creation in 1987. Although La Marina Alta has sufficient water resources in situations of hydrological normality, they are significantly affected by the impacts of climate change, insufficient water treatment technology and the absence of storage and regulation infrastructure. As a consequence, periods of scarcity and overexploitation of aquifers, together with high-demand situations, have generated scenarios of a lack of drinking water with reputational damage and uncertainty for the future of agricultural operations. Thus, the aim of this work is to propose the adoption of integrated water resource management strategies that will increase the resilience of this sub-basin in La Marina Alta . To this end, the contribution of new non-conventional resources to the water pool, combined with an efficient network of infrastructure, and all this supported by effective governance structures, would be essential to achieve a sustainable balance between demand and supply, preserving the environmental values of the territory.

Suggested Citation

  • César Sánchez-Pérez & María-Inmaculada López-Ortiz, 2025. "Integrated Management, Circular Economy and Reclaimed Water: Keys to Restoring the Long-Term Water Balance in La Marina Alta (Alicante, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-25, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5512-:d:1679493
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elinor Ostrom, 2010. "Beyond Markets and States: Polycentric Governance of Complex Economic Systems," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(3), pages 641-672, June.
    2. Qinglan Liu & Longjian Yang & Miying Yang, 2021. "Digitalisation for Water Sustainability: Barriers to Implementing Circular Economy in Smart Water Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-28, October.
    3. Dhesigen Naidoo & Luxon Nhamo & Shenelle Lottering & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Albert T. Modi & Cristina Trois & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "Transitional Pathways towards Achieving a Circular Economy in the Water, Energy, and Food Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
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