Expert reports and valuations
At Grupo Rodespi we can advise you on everything related to water legalizations and more
WE'LL SOLVE IT FOR YOU:
- WATER SUPPLIES
- Management of the application for the constitution of user communities and approval of the corresponding ordinance, regulation or agreement
- Application for reform of ordinances and regulations or agreements of User Communities iii. Management for the renewal of the concession
- IRRIGATION COMMUNITIES
- Management of the application for the constitution of user communities and approval of the corresponding ordinance, regulation or agreement
- Request for reform of ordinances and regulations or agreements of User Communities
- Management for the renewal of the concession
- WATER WELLS
- Management, standardization, regularization and legalization of water wells
- LIVESTOCK USES
- Management, standardization, regularization and legalization of water for agricultural and livestock purposes
- COMPLAINTS
- Defense against potential complaints from both the complainant and the accused. Processing of files for reporting misuse of water.
- OTHER WATER-RELATED SERVICES
- Management for the establishment of restrooms, recreational areas and sports areas
- Authorization for the temporary diversion of water
- Authorization for tree felling on the riverbanks
- Authorization for the extraction of aggregates
- Authorization for works and installations subject to the permits of the River Basin Authorities
- Authorization for other activities in the public water domain or in the riverbed police zone
- Authorization for agricultural and forestry uses
- Procedures before the Ministry of Health for authorizations for water consumption (Projects for the installation of chlorimeters, technical reports, etc.)
When legalizing a water use or a Water Users Community, we must be clear that the documentation requested by the basin authorities that manage the concessions in Galicia is becoming increasingly complex.
Therefore, a thorough understanding of the various laws governing the granting of these concessions is required, as well as sound technical preparation to submit a project or study that meets the necessary requirements. Furthermore, the concession application process must be monitored until its approval.
In the case of renewals of concessions for Water User Communities, we must consider that almost 90% of these have undergone significant modifications (increased intakes, variation in the population supplied) that must be reflected in order to obtain a renewal of the concession that is adjusted to the reality of the supply.
In addition, Water User Communities must have a map detailing, in addition to the intakes and regulating reservoirs, the route of the conveyance and distribution pipes.
A very common problem is that most users are unaware of the location of these facilities, which causes serious problems when those who do know their location leave the community. To address this, Grupo Rodespi offers its services.
On March 12, 2008, Royal Decree 266/2008, of February 22, was published in the Official State Gazette, by which the Northern Hydrographic Confederation was segregated in the Cantabrian River Basin Authorities y del Miño-Sil. Both new Confederations succeeded, in a universal capacity, the Northern CH in terms of its assets, resources and rights, in relation to their respective territorial areas.
This situation means that in Galicia, water is legalized through two different bodies: the Miño-Sil Hydrographic Confederation and Aguas de Galicia, depending on the geographical location of the water in question, which gives us great experience and expertise in this area.
OUR CUSTOMERS: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
More than 4,500 users or 300 water supply systems have the peace of mind that the water they consume or that circulates is guaranteed by a concession managed by Grupo Rodespi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the regulations governing water?
The basic legal framework governing the water in our rivers is Royal Legislative Decree 1/2001, of July 20, which approves the consolidated text of the Water Law (amended by Law 62/2003, which transposes Directive 2000/60/EC), European Union Directives, and other implementing regulations. All this documentation is available in the legislation section of the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (http://www.magrama.es).
What are the easement and police zones of a river?
The easement zone is a longitudinal strip 5 meters wide from the edge of the watercourse, and the police zone is a longitudinal strip 100 meters wide from the same edge. The Regulations for the Public Water Domain, in Chapter III, Article 4, establish the following definition of a watercourse:
“The riverbed or natural channel of a continuous or discontinuous stream is the land covered by the waters during the maximum ordinary floods.”
Therefore, the 5-meter measurement would begin from the point of the river's highest ordinary flood level. The easement extends on both sides of the riverbed and is reserved for public use. Owners of easement areas may plant non-tree species that do not obstruct passage, with prior authorization from the river basin authority; however, they may not build on them, except in very justified cases and only with the appropriate authorization.
What is meant by a river basin?
A watershed is defined as “the area of land whose surface runoff flows entirely through a series of streams, rivers, and possibly lakes to the sea through a single outlet, estuary, or delta.” The watershed, as a unit for managing the resource, is considered indivisible.
What is a hydrographic demarcation?
A hydrographic demarcation is understood to be "the land and marine area composed of one or more neighboring hydrographic basins and the transitional, underground and coastal waters associated with said basins."
These are transitional waters, the surface water masses near the mouths of rivers that are partially saline as a result of their proximity to coastal waters, but which receive a notable influence from freshwater flows.
Who should form a User Community?
All users (natural or legal persons) who collectively use the same water intake from or derived from springs, wells, natural currents (rivers, streams, etc.), or canals built by the State or use the same property or sets of public hydraulic domain assets, have the obligation to constitute themselves in a Community, subject to Royal Legislative Decree 1/2001, of July 20, which approves the consolidated text of the Water Law and the Public Hydraulic Regulation of April 11, 1986.
For the purposes of Article 81.5 of the consolidated text of the Water Law and Article 203 of the Regulations on the Public Water Domain, users of collective uses of public waters with fewer than twenty participants are exempt from the requirement to process Statutes or Ordinances and Regulations. However, these users are required to enter into a specific agreement among themselves, which must also be approved by the River Basin Authority. Collectively using a water intake without being constituted as a Users' Association or, where applicable, without having the corresponding specific agreement approved, may be subject to penalty.
What obligations does a user community have?
User Communities will carry out, by mandate of the consolidated text of the Water Law and with the autonomy recognized therein, the functions of policing, distribution and administration of the waters that they have been granted by the Administration.
Do I need to complete any procedures to drill a private well?
You must request from the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority the “Authorization for the execution of works and constructions in the riverbed police zone”.
How can I tell the quality of the water I drink at home?
Contact your water supplier or your local council. The regulations governing drinking water quality are set out in Royal Decree 140/2003, of February 7, which establishes the health criteria for water quality intended for human consumption.
Which technician can carry out the projects or prepare the technical documentation requested by the Miño-Sil Hydrographic Confederation?
The Water Law explains that a project must be signed by a qualified professional. A qualified professional is defined as someone who possesses the necessary academic and professional qualifications, as well as knowledge of the activities relevant to the functions to be performed. The professional profiles of qualified professionals are typically found among engineers, technical engineers, architects, and technical architects.
Are there any maps or charts of the riverbeds within the jurisdiction of the Galician Hydrographic Confederation and Water Authority?
The Miño-Sil River Basin Authority does not have its own maps; it uses maps produced by the relevant authorities (the National Geographic Institute at the national level and the various competent bodies at the regional or provincial level). If the accuracy of the publicly available maps proves insufficient, a topographic survey must be carried out.
