The National Water Pact does not include, due to its insignificant nature, the water consumption of golf courses. This is one of the conclusions drawn from the conference organized by Madrid Foro Empresarial at the Deusto Business School, part of the 'New Challenges, New Responses' series, which featured the participation of the Director General of Water, Liana Ardiles.

The aforementioned conference was attended by Ismael Herruzo and José Marín, representing the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and the Spanish Greenkeepers Association, respectively.

Objectives pursued by the National Water Pact

First, the current status of the "National Water Pact" was analyzed. Liana Ardiles, Director General, spoke about its origins in 2014, the year in which the organizational structure for the Pact's development was conceived and its initial guidelines were established.

At that time, objectives and instruments were established to achieve them according to the dates set in a calendar, apart from proposing a strategy to obtain the collaboration of all the actors involved.

The main objective is to create a pact based on national consensus, thereby achieving a more efficient, sustainable and equitable use of water.

Other objectives related to the main one are meeting water demand, respecting the environment, complying with legal commitments, and achieving efficient management. It is also established that a serious and effective water policy, independent of political movements, is necessary.

Current situation

Liana Ardiles, Director General of Water, analyzed the established schedule for the preparation of the National Water Pact, mentioning that the Basin Plans will be approved during this legislature.

The Water Pact Calendar began in March 2017 with the Roadmap. From that date until July 2018, meetings have been held and will continue to be held with all stakeholders involved in this Pact (133 meetings to date).

During her speech at the conference, the Director General of Water was questioned about the percentage of water used by golf courses compared to the other actors involved in the Pact (water users).

Their response was that the water used by golf courses is negligible compared to other sectors. In fact, golf course water consumption is considered part of industrial consumption, with industrial consumption at 32,000 cubic hectometers and golf course consumption at 138 cubic hectometers.

In July 2018, we will be in a position to open the political dialogue, putting on the table all the demands gathered in the meetings, which will allow us to establish a future guideline for everyone.

The goal is to finalize the National Water Pact this summer, as it doesn't require new legislation, but rather an amendment to the 2016 law. This would allow the bill modifying the National Hydrological Plan to be processed in September. Finally, it was announced that the Drought Plans will be approved in the spring of 2018.

Conclusions

From what was presented at the conference and with regard to the National Water Pact, the following conclusions can be drawn:

. This Pact will lead to an improvement in infrastructure. Each Autonomous Community will have its own fund to improve it in accordance with the guidelines set by the Pact.

. A change in trend will occur in order to offer a better service.

. A National Water Pact will be established with a long-term perspective, addressing the current situation and the water scarcity we are experiencing. This Pact will contain a summary of the interests of all parties and will contribute to improving society.

In this sense, it is necessary to reflect on why golf courses are not included as participating actors in this Pact, since, although it is considered that not enough water is used to establish golf as an actor to meet with, it would be very convenient to highlight that golf courses are an example of optimization in the management of its use.

Report 'Statistics and indicators of water 2008' below, in the Related Links section.