Drought brings water restrictions

Feb 19, 2024 What's happening?

In answer to the ongoing drought, the Junta de Andalucía (regional federal government) has told municipalities to reduce water consumption by 20% until conditions improve.

Periods of drought as well as unusually warm spells are part of the long-term climate pattern of southern Spain. It’s been happening for centuries, and communities have always adapted. It can also affect different parts of the region at different times, so whereas western Andalucía is green the Costa del Sol is experiencing a drought. There has been rainfall, but not enough to make up for a dry summer and autumn, so with reservoirs at low levels the regional government of Andalucía has ordered municipalities to reduce water consumption by 20% until the situation improves.

What the restrictions mean

The municipalities will start with themselves, giving the example as they turn off relative luxuries such as fountains and beach showers. Though the weather is very pleasant, with frequent sunny days and temperatures reaching 20 degrees, the beaches are filling with sunbathers but there are as yet very few people who take a dip in the sea – so demand for the showers remains low and putting them out of action for a while will have a minimal impact. The town halls have also committed to cut back on the watering of public gardens and will likely use recycled water for that purpose.

For residential communities such as Higuerón West the measures also result in a reduction of garden irrigation, as well as a ban on the filling of swimming pools for the time being. Once again, the practical impact of this is reasonably limited during the summer months, and it is with the summer season in mind that the authorities are looking to save water now rather than run into problems later. Water pressure has also been reduced somewhat to reduce wastage, and while the predictions are for more rainfall in the weeks to come, the government is taking further steps to secure the water supply.

This includes renewed investment in the expansion of existing seawater desalination plants and studying the possibility of adding more such facilities, along with negotiating the supply of water from northern regions such as Galicia and the Basque country, which are abundantly wet. The proactive attitude of the authorities, along with increased rainfall in the coming months, will very likely ensure that the current water restrictions are a temporary measure, but your community administrator will be able to answer any questions in the meantime.