First Name:
Miguel
Last Name:
Del Amor Saavedra
Type of BP
Implementation & management solutions
Typology of Non- Conventional Water Resources (NCWR) What kind of NCWR do you deal with ?:
Rainwater (RW)
What is the collection area (m2)?:
240,000 m² corresponding to the effective stormwater catchment area connected to the collection infrastructure
What is the material of the collection area?
Rainwater is collected from urban and peri-urban impermeable surfaces within the settlement of La Paca, including paved streets, public spaces, road surfaces and associated drainage infrastructure connected to the municipal stormwater network.
What is the average annual rainfall (mm)?:
The Segura River Basin Authority (CHS) granted an administrative concession authorising the use of up to 57,000 m³/year of stormwater collected from the urban area of La Paca. Operational information provided by the system managers indicates that actual annual harvesting is currently around 50,000 m³/year, depending on rainfall conditions. The authorised volume and the actual harvested volume should therefore be distinguished.
What is the material of the storage tank?:
The system incorporates a 22,000 m³ sedimentation pond and a 60,000 m³ regulation reservoir connected to the urban stormwater collection network. In addition, former ponds of the La Paca WWTP are used as part of the regulation and management system following their authorised use by Campo Alto Irrigators’ Community.
The reservoirs are open-air storage ponds used for sedimentation, storage and flow regulation. Detailed construction materials are not available in the reviewed documentation.
The reservoirs are open-air storage ponds used for sedimentation, storage and flow regulation. Detailed construction materials are not available in the reviewed documentation.
What is the storage area of the collected rainwater (m3)?:
The documented storage infrastructure associated with the stormwater-harvesting system consists of a 22,000 m³ sedimentation pond and a 60,000 m³ regulation reservoir, providing a total storage capacity of approximately 82,000 m³.
Number of population concerned by the reuse
307
What are the challenges raised by your Best Practice?
Difficult access to water, Environmental pollution, Overexploited groundwater, Degradation of the Ecosystem (water stress), Vulnerability to climate Change, Other (Please specify below)
Other challenges
This practice tackles water scarcity and uncontrolled runoff. Intercepting stormwater prevents downstream pollution. Storing and reusing rainwater for irrigation reduces runoff volume, limits erosion, and improves environmental quality .
How could you describe your Best Practice?
The Best Practice consists of collecting, storing and reusing stormwater runoff generated in the urban area of La Paca (Lorca, Region of Murcia) for agricultural irrigation. Stormwater is captured through a dedicated collection network, conveyed to sedimentation and regulation ponds and reused by Campo Alto Irrigators’ Community as a complementary water resource for 435 ha of agricultural land managed by 307 irrigators.
The system operates under an administrative concession granted by the Segura River Basin Authority (CHS), authorising the use of up to 57,000 m³/year of stormwater. Operational information provided by the irrigators’ community indicates that annual harvesting is currently around 50,000 m³, depending on rainfall conditions.
The initiative forms part of a long-term strategy to improve water security, agricultural competitiveness and climate resilience in a semi-arid area affected by water scarcity, saline groundwater and rural depopulation risk. Harvested rainwater is supplied through an existing pressurised drip-irrigation network.
The system operates under an administrative concession granted by the Segura River Basin Authority (CHS), authorising the use of up to 57,000 m³/year of stormwater. Operational information provided by the irrigators’ community indicates that annual harvesting is currently around 50,000 m³, depending on rainfall conditions.
The initiative forms part of a long-term strategy to improve water security, agricultural competitiveness and climate resilience in a semi-arid area affected by water scarcity, saline groundwater and rural depopulation risk. Harvested rainwater is supplied through an existing pressurised drip-irrigation network.
Please describe your Best Practice in 5 keywords?
Rainwater harvesting, Stormwater management, Agricultural reuse, Irrigation reservoir, Water scarcity
Please provide any links to useful documentations (including website)presenting your Best Practice
In which area has your Best Practice been implemented ?
Urban area, Agricultural area, Other (Please specify below)
Other area
Peri-Urban area, La Paca collects urban stormwater into perimeter reservoirs. This water is reused for irrigation by the Campo Alto Irrigators' Community, functionally integrating urban drainage with peri-urban agriculture.
Best Practice location implementation (Country)
Spain
Localisation
POINT (1.987 37.883)
Who are the beneficiaries and/or the target group of your Best Practice ?
Water Utilities, Local Population, Municipalities, Management Authorities, Other (Please specify below)
Other beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries include Lorca Municipality, local residents, and Campo Alto's 307 irrigators managing 950 hectares. The system directly boosts agricultural water security, indirectly supporting local rural families' livelihoods.
f the Best Practice has been implemented within a partnership, who were your partners ?
• Campo Alto Irrigators’ Community: beneficiary, infrastructure operator and manager of the harvested stormwater resource for agricultural reuse.
• Segura River Basin Authority (CHS): granting authority responsible for the administrative concession authorising the use of stormwater resources.
• Municipality of Lorca: owner of the former La Paca WWTP facilities and provider of access to part of the regulation infrastructure through a long-term use agreement.
• Aguas de Lorca: technical collaborator providing support and favourable reports regarding the use of urban drainage infrastructure and stormwater collection systems.
• Regional Government of Murcia (CARM): promoter and supporter of complementary investments aimed at improving water security and agricultural resilience.
• Segura River Basin Authority (CHS): granting authority responsible for the administrative concession authorising the use of stormwater resources.
• Municipality of Lorca: owner of the former La Paca WWTP facilities and provider of access to part of the regulation infrastructure through a long-term use agreement.
• Aguas de Lorca: technical collaborator providing support and favourable reports regarding the use of urban drainage infrastructure and stormwater collection systems.
• Regional Government of Murcia (CARM): promoter and supporter of complementary investments aimed at improving water security and agricultural resilience.
Have you involved stakeholders?
Yes
Please list them
• Stakeholders consulted, involved or affected by the Best Practice include
• beneficiary farmers,
• members of the Campo Alto Irrigators’ Community,
• local residents of La Paca,
• municipal technical services,
• agricultural authorities,
• regional water authorities,
• the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and operators responsible for the storage and distribution infrastructure.
• beneficiary farmers,
• members of the Campo Alto Irrigators’ Community,
• local residents of La Paca,
• municipal technical services,
• agricultural authorities,
• regional water authorities,
• the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and operators responsible for the storage and distribution infrastructure.
What are the obstacles to implementation of Best Practice ?
Lack of dissemination of success stories related to NCW, Other (Please specify below)
Other obstacles
Water scarcity and salinity threaten farming viability, risking land abandonment and rural depopulation. This practice improves water security, supporting livelihoods and climate resilience through urban stormwater harvesting and reuse.
Did you receive funding for the research and development of the proposed BP?
Yes
Please indicate the source of funding
EU funding, National funding
What difficulties you have faced to access the funding ?
Funding applications required demonstrating that stormwater harvesting could simultaneously contribute to water security, climate-change adaptation, agricultural competitiveness and rural-development objectives in a small water-scarce rural community. The challenge consisted mainly of justifying the long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits of the proposed infrastructure.
Has your Best Practice been validated/upscaled?
The system has been operating since the implementation of the original stormwater-harvesting scheme and was subsequently expanded to increase collection capacity. Operational information indicates that approximately 50,000 m³ of stormwater are currently harvested annually, depending on rainfall conditions.
The approach has proven sufficiently robust to support additional investments in water-resource diversification, including reclaimed-water reuse, renewable-energy-powered pumping systems and additional storage infrastructure. These later investments demonstrate the scalability and long-term relevance of the stormwater-harvesting concept within a broader rural water-management strategy.
The approach has proven sufficiently robust to support additional investments in water-resource diversification, including reclaimed-water reuse, renewable-energy-powered pumping systems and additional storage infrastructure. These later investments demonstrate the scalability and long-term relevance of the stormwater-harvesting concept within a broader rural water-management strategy.
Is there the potential to exploit/outscale the Best Practice?
Replication is feasible in rural and peri-urban areas where sufficient stormwater runoff can be collected, storage capacity is available or can be developed, agricultural demand exists in proximity to the catchment area and institutional arrangements enable coordination between municipalities, water authorities and irrigators. Successful replication also requires adequate water-quality control, compliance with water rights and environmental regulations, long-term financing for operation and maintenance and monitoring of harvested volumes and environmental impacts.
Do you have or know any platform of sharing Best Practice that you would like to link to this inventory platform?
No
Does your Best Practice contribute to an innovation? If so, please provide a short description of the innovative component
The innovation lies in the integrated management of multiple non-conventional water resources within a water-scarce rural environment. The Best Practice combines urban stormwater harvesting, agricultural reuse and integration with existing irrigation infrastructure to create a reliable complementary water source for irrigated agriculture.
The approach forms part of a wider strategy that combines stormwater harvesting, reclaimed-water reuse, renewable-energy-powered pumping and storage infrastructure. This integrated model improves water security, reduces dependence on saline groundwater, lowers energy consumption, contributes to climate-change adaptation and supports the long-term viability of rural communities.
Its added value lies not in a single technology, but in the coordinated management of alternative water resources to increase resilience, maintain agricultural activity and help reduce the risk of rural depopulation
The approach forms part of a wider strategy that combines stormwater harvesting, reclaimed-water reuse, renewable-energy-powered pumping and storage infrastructure. This integrated model improves water security, reduces dependence on saline groundwater, lowers energy consumption, contributes to climate-change adaptation and supports the long-term viability of rural communities.
Its added value lies not in a single technology, but in the coordinated management of alternative water resources to increase resilience, maintain agricultural activity and help reduce the risk of rural depopulation
What technolog(ies) and/or tool(s) has(ve) been used for your Best Practice ?
stormwater inlets;, transfer pipelines; , drainage system;, sedimentation and regulation ponds;, irrigation-distribution infrastructure;
Please indicate the TRL associated with your Best Practice
TRL9 : Actual system proven in operational environment (competitivemanufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies)
Flow rate (m3/day)
1.00
Flow rate
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
What is the necessary area to implement your Best Practice (m2) ?
240000.00
What is the necessary area to implement your BP ?
240,000 m² corresponding to the effective stormwater catchment sub-basin connected to the collection infrastructure
Comment : Salinity
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : Suspended solids SS
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : COD
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : BOD5
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : Phosphorus content
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Pathogens
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Flow rate (m3/day) of treated NCW
1.00
Flow rate of treated NCW
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
What is the average number of people producing this NCW flow per day
NA.
Efficiency (BOD5 % Removal)
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : Efficiency (COD % Removal):
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Efficiency (SS % Removal):
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Efficiency (Salinity % Removal)
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Comment : Other (% Removal)
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
What is the impact on the beneficiaries of your Best Practice ?:
The system directly benefits 307 irrigators managing 435 ha of agricultural land. By providing approximately 50,000 m³/year of complementary water resources from harvested stormwater, the Best Practice increases water availability, improves agricultural resilience during dry periods and reduces dependence on scarce conventional resources.
Together with subsequent investments in reclaimed-water reuse, storage infrastructure and renewable-energy solutions, the initiative contributes to maintaining agricultural activity, supporting rural employment, improving farm profitability and reducing the risk of rural depopulation in a semi-arid area with limited water availability.
Together with subsequent investments in reclaimed-water reuse, storage infrastructure and renewable-energy solutions, the initiative contributes to maintaining agricultural activity, supporting rural employment, improving farm profitability and reducing the risk of rural depopulation in a semi-arid area with limited water availability.
Total Cost (€):
76100.00
Comment : Total Cost:
The verified investment directly associated with the rainwater-capture Best Practice is €76,100: €30,500 for the 2017 works and €45,600 for the 2021 extension.
Comment : O&M Cost:
NA. No verified annual O&M cost, reference year, cost breakdown or municipality/irrigators’ community contribution share has been provided.
Capital Cost (€):
76100.00
Capital Cost
The verified capital investment directly associated with the rainwater-harvesting Best Practice is €76,100 (€30,500 in 2017 and €45,600 in 2021).
Comment : Average Energy consumption:
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Field irrigation, Other (Please specify below)
Other Treated NCW use
Peri-urban agriculture: Harvested rainwater irrigates 435 hectares of olive groves, almonds, vineyards, and aromatic plants. Distributed via pressurized drip systems, it supports the Campo Alto Irrigators' Community perimeter.
What is the quantity of treated NCW generated by the Best Practice that has been sold to the user (m3/day) ?
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
Price of treated NCW
NA. Site-specific monitoring data are not available
How your Best Practice is economically feasible ?
The Best Practice is economically feasible because it uses existing stormwater collection infrastructure to capture rainwater at very low operational cost. The collected runoff is conveyed to the agricultural reservoir of La Paca, providing farmers with an additional water source without the need for energy intensive treatment processes. The initial investment was financed through public regional and municipal funds, and the operation and maintenance costs are minimal and covered by the municipality and the local irrigation community. By reducing dependence on groundwater and external water supplies, the system lowers irrigation costs and increases long term water security for the agricultural sector.
Is your Best Practice economically viable ?
8
Is your Best Practice environmentally sustainable ?
8
If there was a sustainability assessment carried out, what are the result of this assessment ?
No formal sustainability assessment has been carried out. Qualitative evidence suggests that the system contributes to additional irrigation-water availability, reduced stormwater runoff, improved drought resilience and reduced pressure on groundwater resources. However, no quantified assessment of environmental, social or economic impacts is currently available.
Number of jobs created &/or preserved
17.00
Comment : Number of jobs created &/or preserved
Approximately 10–15 temporary jobs during construction, with 1–2 jobs indirectly maintained through annual inspection and maintenance. Agricultural water security may also help preserve local farming employment.
Please indicate the other various social impact of your Best Practice :
Preservation of living environment, Improvment of health conditions, Sustaining natural ecosystems, Other (Please specify below)
What the improvement is induced by your Best Practice Solution?
Increase positive impact (social/economic/environmental effects), Increase in reuse possibilities, Other (Please specify below)
Other improvement
Reduced uncontrolled stormwater runoff and potential reduction in groundwater abstraction
To which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) your Best Practice contributes?
SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG13: Climate Action, SDG15: Life on Land
What are the lessons learned from the implementation of your Best practice ?
Integrating stormwater collection with agricultural reuse can be effective in water-scarce settlements. Close coordination among the municipality, regional water authorities and irrigators’ community is essential. Existing, low-energy infrastructure can provide benefits when responsibilities and preventive maintenance are clearly established. The experience also highlights the need to monitor water quantity/quality and distinguish rural, peri-urban and urban components when planning replication.
Have you any recommendation to add?
Promote adaptation of existing stormwater networks where hydrology, storage and agricultural demand are suitable. Undertake catchment and water-quality assessment; define water rights and operating rules; secure long-term maintenance and pumping budgets; train staff; monitor harvested volumes, quality and reservoir performance; and integrate stormwater reuse into local and river-basin planning.
Please indicate the acronyms of used &/or developed technologies/Tools:
Physical process, Sedimentation, Filtration, Others