This article analyzes the main projects of the Spanish National Hydrological Plans of 2001 and 2005, the Ebro interbasin transfer and the A.G.U.A. projects, prompted by acute water scarcity and the ensuing severe degradation of the southeastern basins in the Iberian peninsula. The strong policy debate on both projects highlights the difficulties involved in attaining a sustainable management of water resources because of the conflicting interests of diverse stakeholders: regions, economic sectors, and political and environmental groups. Alternatives to these two projects are examined, and results show that acceptable outcomes combine both demand and supply measures. However, implementation could be difficult and requires compensating losses to farmers, and their cooperation and collective action to protect water resources. Otherwise, an excessive burden on agricultural activities will be met by social opposition and make the measures fail.

Key words:Water planning, Ebro water transfer, A.G.U.A. project.
JEL classification: C60, D61, Q25.