The Andalusian government has decided to hand over to town halls the responsibility for allowing or not the filling of private swimming pools in their municipalities. The decision has been taken on the basis of the water consumption limits that have been imposed and the supply needs of each town.
The president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has explained that «it is something the town halls have to assess» through their municipal companies.
Areas in different situations
Moreno has pointed out that the western part of Andalucía is in a better situation in terms of water availability, while in the east, especially in Málaga and Almería, resources are scarcer. Therefore, «it will be the town halls that make that decision» depending on the particular situation of each municipality.
The Andalusian president recalled that a month ago the filling of community swimming pools was not permitted, but that now there «could be the possibility» of doing so for private ones, provided that town halls carry out the relevant calculations to guarantee responsible water consumption.
Rain needed
Moreno has called for town halls to act responsibly in managing water and recalled that more rain in April or May «would be very welcome» to ease the drought.
Public pools allowed
It should be remembered that the Junta de Andalucía already announced on 14 March that it would authorise the filling of public municipal swimming pools, those of sports or social clubs, those used for therapeutic purposes in healthcare centres, and those of tourist accommodation listed in the Junta’s official register.
Call for responsibility
In short, the Junta de Andalucía has handed to town halls the responsibility for deciding on the filling of private swimming pools, but has called for responsibility in water consumption in a context of drought.
