SPAIN'S SEGURA RIVER AWARDED TOP PRIZE FOR RIVER RESTORATION IN EUROPE

The Segura River of Spain has just been named the winner of the International RiverFoundation's 2016 European Riverprize.

The International RiverFoundation (IRF) presented Mr Miguel-Angel Rodenas, President of the Segura River Basin Authority, with the award at a gala dinner held at Vienna City Hall on Thursday 3 March, recognising the river's extraordinary return to health following extensive restoration efforts over the past thirty years.

The Segura River Project has successfully restored the health of the river, with advanced wastewater schemes now supplying reclaimed water to the agriculture industry which rapidly boomed after Spain became a member of the European Union. This once polluted and water-stressed river in Europe's driest basin has been transformed from an exposed sewer to a healthy, vibrant river, home to otter, migratory birds, and other flora and fauna, and the reuse of irrigation water has allowed increased agricultural, leisure and recreational activities.