Recovery of the River Montnegre
About this good practice
The lower stretch of the Monnegre River is a peri-urban river that flows into a highly touristy area. The scarcity of water resources and its poor quality had led to significant landscape degradation in the area and had been used for uncontrolled waste disposal.
The implementation of the large Alicante North wastewater treatment plant with advanced tertiary treatment and the controlled discharge into a pond in the river have resulted in the natural regeneration of the area. The increase in vegetative cover has been accompanied by a significant rise in animal biodiversity, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The area has regained its scenic appeal, and there has been a growing awareness in society, leading to proposed improvements in the area.
Local municipalities and the provincial administration (DPA) are actively planning and seeking funding to sustain this transformation, embarking on a major regeneration project. This initiative aims to return this space to the citizens for reconnecting with nature or engaging in leisure activities. Furthermore, the area would enhance the tourism appeal of these localities while serving as a natural corridor connecting inland areas with the coast.
This is an example where the best practice, which is the regeneration of resources, has yielded benefits that exceeded the initially anticipated outcomes.
Resources needed
In reality, the transformation occurred spontaneously as a secondary effect of effective wastewater treatment and the allocation of resources to the river. The cost of the plant was €8.5 million, with an annual maintenance cost of approximately €650,000, which is recovered through sanitation fees.
Evidence of success
What makes this case unique is that the improvement in the river's condition is a secondary effect of the quality of wastewater treatment and water discharged. Therefore, it's the success that is leading to the implementation of a best practice.
The improvement in environmental conditions in the area has been confirmed by various research studies. Additionally, this improvement has led to the classification of the river's estuary area as a wetland by the Valencian Regional Government.
Potential for learning or transfer
In a Europe with increasingly scarce water resources and a growing interest in river restoration, this success story can be truly inspiring. The concept of reusing water resources for environmental purposes after complete regeneration, essentially turning waste into a resource, is crucial for the sustainability of water management. The fact that water users contribute, within the cost of the resource, to the expense of regeneration makes it possible to return the water to the environment in a high-quality condition without it being seen as a burden on administrations.