Reverse osmosis, a key technology in combating water scarcity in Spain Original Research Article

Water is becoming day by day a more precious and even scarce natural resource. In Europe, water shortage or water stress is notable in countries such as Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece, etc., where rainfalls are few, irregular and inconsistent. In order to improve the use of the Spanish hydrologic resources and to satisfy the higher water demand due to, not only tourism but also agriculture and increased population, the Spanish Government has been promoting over the last years different strategies. In July 2005, a new Act (National Hydrologic Plan) was passed, which included more than one hundred immediate points of action to improve the existing water-related infrastructures and to construct new desalination plants. In addition, in December 2007, a Royal Decree was approved in order to regulate and to promote water reuse applications in the country.