Gecko Towers
Updated 04.06.24 There have been various reports that the local water supply companies, Acosol and Hidralia are having to dispatch technicians to remove the “cable tie locks” that have been applied to community swimming pool water supply preventing use. To remove these without a technician exposes the urbanization to a fine and it seems that while some technicians have managed to get to urbanizations quickly others are taking longer to remove the locks. Additionally, some though not all of the municipalities, including Marbella, Estepona etc are formulating their own policies towards ongoing water use.
Regarding the irrigation of gardens, we understand that 11 municipalities of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, together with Acosol have determined that irrigation should only occur on the following days in the following locations: Monday: Torremolinos, Ojén and Estepona, Tuesday: Mijas and Casares, Wednesday: Marbella, Thursday: Benalmádena and Benahavís and Friday: Fuengirola, Manilva and Istán
For those who have, with me, been keen to understand the updated position of the Junta de Andalucia (Regional Government of Andalucia) in response to the drought crisis on the Western Costa del Sol, will be keen to understand that June 1st 2024, identified a couple of weeks ago, is now a turning point in the restrictions imposed over residents and tourists alike in this amazing corner of Europe. The restrictions had lead to much uncertainty over the use of property and, particularly, swimming pools in the region but there is now greater clarity.
It is vital that I make clear, that aside from the strides being made by the publicly owned local water-supply company, Acosol, to update its Desalination Plant on the Istan Road in Marbella to provide the region from Fuengirola to Manilva with year round and “drought-proof” supply, and the pace of change has been remarkable, we are simply not clear of the drought affecting the Coast. The issues of the farming community of, especially, inland Andalucia are grave and require continual monitoring, well-aimed investment and betterment.
The current position is prompted by the need to proactively manage what is described in Spanish as the Zona de Gran Afluencia Turistica, the economic Summer Season, that is crucial for sustaining many local and seasonal businesses, when the tourist spending of incoming €, £ or $ is warmly welcomed.
On 1st June, I received the following release from the Junta de Andalucia. It sets out, in detail, the newly in force measures. While it seeks to be a specific as possible, generally these measures have a tendency to create more questions than answers, but I believe this to be reasonably conclusive.
I reproduce below the original Spanish release and followed by a rough translation which I hope will be of sufficiently clear and understandable by all of our nationalities affected by these arrangement.
Please remember this is a temporary measure (as specifically stated in the release it expires on 30th September 2024) so whatever you can do to minimize and conserve water usage please do.
Translation (informal)
Málaga, as of the date of electronic signature
Authorization Temporary exception to the prohibition of the use of water for certain uses
COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
General Directorate of Water Infrastructures
COMMUNITY OF MUNICIPALITIES OF THE WESTERN COSTA DEL SOL c/ Bonanza, s/n (Playas del Arenal Urbanization) 29604 MARBELLA (MÁLAGA)
Considering the documents presented by the COMMONWEALTH OF MUNICIPALITIES OF THE WESTERN COSTA DEL SOL with the date of entry registration in this General Directorate of 10/5/2024 and 22/5/2024 for which the exception is requested for the period of June 1 to September 30, 2024, the use of water for the following uses is prohibited:
1. Swimming pools: partial filling of swimming pools for public and private use as long as they have a water recirculation system, in the essential quantities to replace losses due to evaporation, cleaning filters and to guarantee the sanitary quality of the water.
2. Commissioning of showers in sports establishments and swimming pools where the use of the shower is mandatory for their use and provided that in all cases they have a timed push-button system, sensors or devices with a similar function.
3. Operation of public drinking fountains that have a timed push-button system, sensors or devices with a similar function.
4. Survival irrigation of gardens with a maximum amount of 400 m3 per hectare and month, with a maximum irrigation frequency of 1 day per week.
5. Road cleaning with pressure washers. Use of drinking water for cleaning and disinfecting vials using low-consumption pressure washers.
Attached is the Resolution of the General Secretariat of Water of May 27, 2024, authorizing the exceptions requested under the provisions of article 6 of “Decree 178/2021, of June 15.”
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EXPLOITATIONS Signed: Óscar A. Lorente Castellano
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