Spain’s Supreme Court confirms landmark ruling on pollution of As Conchas
The Supreme Court of Spain has rejected the cassation appeals filed in summer 2025 by the Xunta de Galicia and the Miño-Sil Hydrographic Confederation against a July 2025 judgment of the High Court of Justice of Galicia (TSJ) regarding pollution of the As Conchas reservoir and river Limia.
The decision makes the TSJ ruling final and enforceable, and confirms that the authorities’ inaction to protect residents from industrial animal production pollution violates their fundamental rights. Among them, the right to life and integrity, home and private life, property and water.
With the ruling now final, the competent authorities are legally obliged to adopt effective measures to put an end to the environmental degradation of the reservoir and its surroundings and to restore the violated rights.
A landmark for fundamental rights
The Supreme Court’s order confirms that the TSJ of Galicia court’s findings were based on extensive documentation and scientific evidence. It highlights nitrate pollution and eutrophication levels in the As Conchas reservoir exceeding World Health Organization thresholds, the risks associated with recreational use, and the impact on water supplies. The Court concluded that this situation creates a certain risk to life and integrity and seriously interferes with residents’ homes and private lives.
This decision consolidates the pioneering nature of the TSJ judgment: the protection of fundamental rights must prevail when the impacts of industrial animal production put people’s lives, their health and the environment at risk.
Reactions from plaintiffs and supporting organizations
The plaintiffs and organizations that support the case, Friends of the Earth Spain, ClientEarth and the Federation of Consumers and Users (CECU), welcome the judicial decision and the final victory it represents. They also underline the need to keep defending communities’ fundamental rights and protecting them from authorities’ inaction against pollution from factory farming.
Mercedes Álvarez de León, plaintiff in the case, states: “Today is a historic day, not only for the neighbors of As Conchas, but for all the people who are fighting to defend their rights, while the administrations turn a deaf ear to their demands and pollution. No matter how hard they try it, it is clear that they will have to abide by the sentence and return us a clean environment. We want other people and movements to see our victory as a light of hope, to fight and never to give up, because, even if the battles seem lost, we now see that it is possible to win them.”
Pablo Álvarez Veloso, president of the local neighborhood association and plaintiff in the case, points out: “Justice, once again, proves us right. After years of struggle to defend our reservoir, a reservoir that should be the heritage of the entire Galician population, the Supreme Court makes it clear that the administration must ensure human rights. Today we celebrate it with emotion and pride. This decision reinforces that fundamental rights come first. First, health. First, clean water. First, a dignified life for our people.”
Blanca Ruibal, coordinator of Friends of the Earth Spain, says: “The confirmation of the sentence sends a very clear message: it is time for the administration to ensure the fundamental rights of their population and restore the As Conchas Reservoir. This recognition of human rights violation is a historic milestone and we hope that this sentence will give hope to many people and communities in similar situations, who know that our health and nature are above the interests of a few. We will continue to win battles against industrial livestock.”
Nieves Noval, CustomerEarth’s food systems team leader, said: “With the rejection of the appeal, the fundamental rights of the As Conchas residents are confirmed and must be made effective without delay. The Xunta de Galicia and the Miño-Sil Hydrographic Confederation must immediately proceed to execute the sentence so that these rights are finally translated into a dignified life for the affected communities.”
David Sánchez, director of the Federation of Consumers and Users adds: “We welcome the fact that the sentence is final, and we demand that the Xunta and the Confederation execute it without further delay. It is urgent to restore the area and that the population can enjoy their right to water. We also hope that the sentence will mark a precedent and so that in no other area will suffer the situation of the neighbors of As Conchas.”
