Murcia, Spain - August 09, 2024

A businessman in the Region of Murcia is under investigation for illegally extracting water from wells and springs over a period of 17 years to irrigate a golf course at a resort. The investigation, conducted by the Civil Guard in collaboration with environmental agents from the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, has unveiled extensive environmental violations under 'Operation Rough'.

Authorities discovered fifteen unauthorized wells and identified five springs that were left without water due to the unlawful extraction practices. The businessman's actions have led to severe overexploitation of an aquifer, endangering its quality and quantity.

Citizen reports played a pivotal role in alerting Seprona (Nature Protection Service) to the suspicious activities, which involved clandestine construction of wells at night within resort premises. Aerial surveillance confirmed unauthorized water extraction on a large scale at the golf course, situated in a dryland area over a stressed aquifer.

The investigation revealed an annual extraction volume exceeding two million cubic meters, resulting in estimated environmental damages totaling 65 million euros. This figure encompasses restoration costs and economic losses to ecosystems, exacerbated by extraction from an already depleted aquifer.

Unauthorized groundwater extraction for golf course irrigation poses significant risks to the ecological balance and conservation status of affected water bodies. Authorities continue to assess the full impact of these violations while pursuing legal action against the implicated businessman for crimes against natural resources and the environment.