We were walking in the old quarter of Valencia  and came across a building which looked interesting.  It was the entrance to the “Tribunal de les Agües” It was open to the public to walk through so we decided to check it out.

We went in and took a look around the building. There is quite an interesting history with the Tribunal de les Agües. This tribunal is still functioning today and is used as the modern process for addressing complaints regarding water irrigation.

There is a tribunal process in Valencia that has been established for hundreds of years. It deals with disputes related to water usage for farmers and use of irrigation processes.

In the past farmers would share irrigation water systems. One farmer would use it one day then the other farmer the next day, however if there was a dispute over the water by the farmers they would resolve it through the tribunal of aigües. The tribunal would hear their complaint and make a resolve or issue a fine which was final. There is no appeal process and the tribunal is the ultimate decision maker.

The tribunal room is a large area with assigned chairs set up in a circle.

There is an appointed representative from each irrigation district or area of Valencia.

There is one member from within the group elected president for a two year term. There are nine representatives in total and every Thursday at noon the tribunal meets in a public forum. They gather in the public area in the Plaza de la Virgen square with the chairs arranged in a circular fashion. They conduct business and a bailiff will call out each irrigation district at a time for anyone in that district with a complaint. The traditional phrase “denunciants de la sèquia de…!” is used. If there is no complaint they move on to the next district until all have been called out. It takes approximately 10 minutes to call out the districts and if there are no complaints they adjourn until the following Thursday.

If there happens to be a complaint, the tribunal will hear the complaint and render a verdict after asking some questions of the parties present. The complaint is addressed quickly and not carried forward to another date.

The process has become somewhat of a tourist attraction and people will show up to view the Thursday noon ritual. I (Ray) have been involved for almost my entire adult life in municipal processes and it amazes me that this process remains a functioning part of government in Valencia. It was interesting to see and we thought it was worth sharing with you.

“adios y que tenga un gran días”