Irrigation Characterization Using Performance Indicators of Water and Energy Use in Irrigation Water User's Associations - a Case Study in the Irrigation Water User's Association of Albatera (Alicante) Spain

Several performance indicators proposed by the "International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage" IPTRID were obtained at the irrigated area in the Irrigation Water User's Association of Albatera (Alicante) Spain. These indicators were determined during four seasons (2003/2004-2006/2007). Moreover, an energy audit of that Irrigation Water User's Association was made during 2006. Additional performance indicators were obtained on this energy audit. Performance indicators are classified in three groups: descriptive indicators, management indicators, and energy indicators. Descriptive indicators are adequate for general characterization of a Water User's Association. These indicators are obtained from basic data on each association. Management indicators (classified in efficiency, financial, productivity, and environmental) were determined mostly from those proposed by the IPTRID. Energy indicators were obtained from several previous research works developed by some authors of this paper. Additionally, some indicators have been modified or eliminated in order to adapt it to the present case study. Descriptive, environmental and energy data obtained from these indicators are described and contrasted during several seasons. The development of these indicators to evaluate the performance of Irrigation Water User's Associations is an adequate practice to propose management of water and energy usage, along with reducing other production costs. Finally, these performance indicators are adequate to compare several Irrigation Water User's Associations in a "benchmarking" proceeding.