The Ebro river (85 362 km2 or 17% of Spain) is located in the north-east of Spain and provides an interesting example of the evolution of competences and strategies to manage water in a changing institutional context. The Ebro river crosses nine autonomous regions and is managed by the Spanish government through the Ebro River Basin Authority (RBA).

The pressure on water resources has been mounting worldwide with water scarcity becoming a widespread problem in most arid and semiarid regions around the world. Global water extractions have increased from 600 to 3,900 km3 in the last century, which is almost twice the rate of population growth.

Las funciones de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero incluyen la elaboración del plan hidrológico de cuenca, así como su seguimiento y revisión; La administración y control del dominio público hidráulico; La administración y control de los aprovechamientos de interés general o que afecten a más de una Comunidad Autónoma; El proyecto, la construcción y explotación de las obras realizadas...