Spain’s flourishing agriculture sector is contributing to the country’s worst drought in a decade, which could see taps in the south east dry up completely, claim reports.
As well as tourism - particularly golf courses - draining supplies, the increasing number of crops being grown under plastic is having a devastating effect on Spain’s water resources.
According to the Independent, taps in Murcia and Alicante could stop running in coming weeks, and reservoirs in the areas are now running on just 10 per cent of their normal supplies.
Spanish officials have said the situation is the worst Spain has ever experienced, and the country is now waiting to see whether rains, due in October, can quell the crisis.
In response, environment minister Cristina Narbona is reported to have approved £400 million of drought emergency aid, some of which will be used to curb the amount of water wasted on farms, the Independent reported.
The Worldwide Fund for Nature recently deemed Spain the worst developed country for water management for the amount of water being lost from leaking, poorly maintained pipes.
