Farmers in Aspa, in the Lleida area of Catalonia, say turbid water from the Segarra-Garrigues Canal has been blocking irrigation filters and forcing them to clean their systems several times a day.
The problem affects sector 12 of the lower canal, which supplies land in Aspa, Alfés, Cogul and Alcanó. Farmers say the water has been dirty for several days, leaving drippers blocked and affecting trees.
One farmer said the group is paying what they describe as the most expensive irrigation water in Catalonia, but still has to clean filters repeatedly. Farmers also said they want clean water and a solution, and are considering protest action if the situation does not improve.
Aigües del Segarra-Garrigues (ASG), the company that manages the canal, acknowledged the turbidity problem. According to ASG sources, the issue was limited to an 80-hectare area in Aspa and has now been resolved. They said the cause was dirty water coming up from the Segre.
The final section of the Segarra-Garrigues Canal, from sector 12 onwards, is supplied by basins filled by pumps drawing water from the Segre River. ASG said the river has often been turbid this year because of heavy autumn and winter rain, floods and snowmelt. For more Catalonia-wide local news, see News.
