Causes

• High losses in distribution networks (40 to 60%) 
• Inefficient irrigation methods with high water consumption. (sprinkler instead of drip) 
• High losses in irrigation channels (20%) and parcels (50%) 
• Delay in the implementation of a water reuse policy which could permit the use of treated wastewater for crop irrigation
• Tariffs and recovery systems do not encourage water conservation

Effects

• Increase of the demand misleading an over-exploitation of water tables (levels drop at a rate of 1 to 3 m annually) 
• Irrational use of untreated wastewater for irrigation
• Increase of polluted water discharges
• Higher investments are required for water regulation, treatment and transfer

Causes

• No treated domestic waste water (40 millions m3/y)
• Growth of the urbanization 
• Limited number of treatment stations (6 operational stations / 70 urban centers) 
• Discharge of untreated industrial wastewater (16 millions m3/year) from the food industry 
• Manure: 35000t/year of nitrates + 2.2 t/year of pesticide. 
• Law rainfall reducing the sanitary debit and the dilution capacity of the receiving water courses.

Effects

• Water quality deterioration. 
• Limitation in the potential for natural purification 
• Deterioration of surface water quality, and notably eutrophication in dams and channels. This, in turn increases dam maintenance costs and treatment costs for drinking and irrigation water supply.
• Deterioration of groundwater quality, with high concentrations in nitrates and pesticides being observed
• Contamination of tourist sites 
• Salinisation of water tables.
• Odor nuisance