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Spain's Supreme Court Finalizes As Conchas Pollution Case, Forcing Remediation and Compensation

The decision triggers immediate execution of court‑ordered measures to restore the reservoir.

Overview

  • The court inadmitted appeals by the Xunta de Galicia and the Miño‑Sil River Basin Authority, making the July 2025 TSXG ruling final and enforceable.
  • The TSXG found decades of inaction violated fundamental rights, including life, physical integrity, home, private life, property, and access to water.
  • Judges relied on extensive scientific evidence of nitrate contamination and eutrophication exceeding WHO thresholds, with risks to health, recreation, and water supplies.
  • The ruling orders effective measures to halt degradation and awards compensation to residents of up to €30,000 per claimant, while local municipalities were not convicted.
  • Environmental groups and residents hailed a potential European precedent and pressed for swift enforcement, as the Galician environment chief cited poor coordination with the basin authority.