The Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation recalls that the Water Law establishes the prohibition of discharges to the public hydraulic domain without the corresponding administrative authorization. This regulatory framework aims to protect water quality and prevent damage to river ecosystems. The discharges of wastewater to rivers, whether of urban or industrial origin, and especially those that have not been cleaned or whose purification is insufficient, continue to be one of the main causes of the deterioration of the water masses in the Cantabrian basin.
Water pollution is defined as any action that alters its quality in a harmful way, either directly or indirectly. This includes modifications that may affect their use for human consumption, economic activities or the balance of natural ecosystems. Pollutants can come from a variety of sources, such as urban wastewater, industrial processes or contaminated rainwater runoff.
The Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation recalls that all discharges to the public hydraulic domain must have a prior authorization. Among the most common types of discharges subject to regulation are:
- Urban wastewater: coming from municipal sanitation networks.
- Industrial wastewater: generated by productive processes in factories, workshops or industrial facilities.
- Contaminated rainwater: run-offs that carry polluting substances from urban or industrial surfaces.
The administrative authorization granted by the Agency establishes specific limits for the pollutants present in the discharges, as well as the technical conditions that seek to minimize their environmental impact. These limits are set taking into account the environmental objectives set out in the hydrological plans and the specific characteristics of the environment.
Natural or legal persons who obtain an authorization to carry out discharges have a series of legal and technical responsibilities. Among those that stand out:
- Strictly comply with the conditions established in the authorization, including emission maximum limits and corrective measures.
- Carry out periodic checks to demonstrate compliance with these conditions through analysis and technical documentation.
- Notify any modification in the characteristics of the authorized spill, whether in its composition, flow or destination.
Failure to comply with these obligations may result in administrative sanctions and revocation of the permit.
The Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation conducts regular inspections through its river nursery in order to ensure compliance with the regulations. These inspections allow:
- Detect possible unauthorized discharges.
- Verify that the holders comply with the conditions established in their authorizations.
- Identify potential risks to the environment.
Monitoring and inspection is essential to prevent damage to the hydraulic public domain and ensure that human activities do not compromise water quality.
When unauthorized discharges or breaches of the conditions established in the authorizations are detected, the Agency initiates the corresponding sanctioning procedures. These actions may include:
- Imposition of economic fines proportional to the severity of the damage caused.
- Obligation to take immediate corrective measures.
- Repair of the environmental damage caused to the hydraulic public domain.
In addition, in serious or repeated cases, the authorizations granted may be suspended or revoked definitively.
In 2024, various actions of control and monitoring of discharges were carried out. The most outstanding results include:
- Comprehensive monitoring: Specific monitoring of quality controls (ECAH) was carried out on 167 authorized discharges.
- Non-compliances detected: Ninety complaints were registered due to non-submission of reports or non-compliance with the permitted limits in 85 discharges.
- Regular inspections: The river nursery carried out 87 inspections, reviewing a total of 162 discharges to ensure compliance with the regulations.
- Actions of the agents: The Environmental Agents filed 30 complaints after their inspections, affecting 48 discharges.
- As of December 31, 2024, in the territorial area of the Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation, 4701 authorized discharges were recorded and represent an annual volume of 523 128 m³.
The Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation reaffirms its commitment to the protection and sustainable management of water, a vital resource for human well-being and ecological balance. The Agency encourages all users to act responsibly and to collaborate in the preservation of the natural environment.
On the Agency's website www.chcantabrico.es and on www.chcantabrico.es/control-de-vertidos Further information on the discharge authorisations or on the inspection and control procedures can be found.