A major environmental restoration project along the Segura River in Orihuela has been awarded a €3.6 million contract. The initiative, titled “My River Flows Back” (Refluye mi río), will focus on restoring the riverside forest and natural landscape before the river enters the town’s urban core.
The contract was awarded by Orihuela’s local government to the joint venture Natura Constructiva – José Savall Ronda, following a competitive tendering process involving ten bidders. The winning proposal came in €200,000 below the original budget.
Focus on Native Restoration and Invasive Species Removal
The project aims to reverse ecological damage along the Segura by:
- Removing invasive species such as the giant reed (Arundo donax) using rhizome extraction and soil covering techniques.
- Replanting native riparian trees and shrubs to regenerate lost forest habitat and improve biodiversity.
- Reducing the risk of flooding by restoring natural vegetation buffers along the riverbanks.
One of the key concerns addressed by the project is the spread of invasive sugarcane due to the decline of natural riparian forests, an issue affecting large sections of the Segura as it flows through Orihuela.
Targeted Restoration Areas
The restoration works will include:
- Historic river meanders I1 and D1, near the iconic “Moquita” and “Pando” waterwheels, which have already been restored.
- The City Mill grove, designated a Site of Local Significance.
- Additional groves including Miguel Hernández, Number 13, and the Reguerón area near the district of Molins.
These areas will see invasive plant removal followed by replanting efforts to encourage the regrowth of native vegetation and improve overall ecological resilience.
EU-Funded Green Infrastructure
The project will be largely financed (95%) by the EU’s NextGenerationEU recovery funds through a grant from the Biodiversity Foundation, under Spain’s National Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, managed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO). Orihuela’s municipal government will cover the remaining 5%.
Tight Deadline, High Environmental Impact
Once the works commence, the contractor will have four months to complete the job, starting from the formal stakeout date. Notably, all bidding companies committed to the same four-month timeframe, which is half the maximum allowed under the project specifications.
Additionally, each bidder pledged to plant at least 1,500 native trees, reinforcing the long-term ecological goals of the program.
A similar project in nearby Rojales—using the same two-phase method—has already shown visible success, with invasive reeds eliminated and native vegetation now thriving along the riverbanks.
