Water Supply and Water Footprint in the Urban Region of Madrid (Spain)
José Antonio Sotelo Navalpotro, María Sotelo Pérez, Fernando García Quiroga

Abstract
Spain, from a general perspective, conforms a primary urban network which highlights the urban region of Madrid, which has generated an extremely important economic and social space along with a demographic polarization in the center of the country. To this fact we have to add its diverse geographical features that create a complex reality in water supply. Where the analysis of water consumption becomes especially relevant, due to the importance of this resource for the social, economic and environmental development of the region. Over the last years, we have developed conceptual and methodological tools for this purpose, as the sustainability metabolic index known as water footprint. Specially in a context of global environmental change which shows projections with reduced water availability for southern Europe, such as those of the IPPC or the European Environment Agency. We must not forget that water has unique characteristics compared to other resources being human demand for water in direct competition with the water the environment needs to maintain its ecological functioning.

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