Concessions to seek water and its conflictes. The case of Argentona (El Maresme) (16th-19th centuries)

Abstract

Water was a public asset and its use was granted by the General Batlle (the mayor) by means of census establishment. But water was also "privatized" by the landlords and its extraction established within their territories. In the land surrounding Argentona there are no permanent water sources, so the water was obtained via the construction of mines and wells.

We have examined water establishments in Argentona documented from 1508 through 1832. The structure of the establishments of the Royal Heritage began with a request from the interested party and the subsequent report by the public prosecutor stipulating the amounts payable, at which time the parties involved were notified and if there was no allegation by third parties, they were granted the establishment. Conflicts between individuals who were adversly affected by an establishment originated many lawsuits and in most cases were resolved through accords. We have enclosed a chart showing a list of 32 documented water establishments in Argentona, which no doubt, represent only a small part of the whole.