More than half a million residents across the Western Costa del Sol will be affected by the reduction in water pressure at night from this Wednesday 21 February, due to the shortage of water in the Concepción reservoir, which supplies water to the municipality of Manilva and is currently at 22.58% of its capacity. In 2023 at this time of year, the reservoir stood at 70.97%, with its average over the previous 10 years being 69.35%.
Acosol, the public water company of the Association of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol, will reduce the flow from 00:00 to 06:00 to ensure compliance with the consumption limit of 160 litres per inhabitant per day set by the new drought decree of the Junta de Andalucía.
The measure, which begins on Wednesday 21 February, will affect the municipalities of Benahavís, Benalmádena, Casares, Estepona, Fuengirola, Istán, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Ojén and Torremolinos. Some homes and commercial premises are expected to experience reduced supply or even no supply during the night, particularly in higher-lying areas or those without a water tank.
Matilde Mancha, president of Acosol, has appealed to residents’ sense of responsibility: «We ask residents to take steps to avoid cuts caused by insufficient pressure. Please adapt your installations and be prepared for a possible reduction or absence of supply at night.»
Acosol reminds residents of the restrictions in force since 30 October:
- Ban on watering public and private parks and gardens with drinking water.
- Watering of golf courses.
- Public and private hosing down of surfaces.
- Filling and topping up of swimming pools (with some exceptions).
- Washing of vehicles (except at authorised establishments).
- Fountains and lakes without a closed water circuit.
- Public drinking fountains and showers.
The company warns that excessive consumption will be monitored and penalties may be applied.
Acosol also stresses the importance of public cooperation in saving water:
- Saving water in every household.
- Becoming aware of the importance of water as a finite, vital resource.
- Consuming responsibly.
The water needed to irrigate a small garden for one day is equivalent to a family’s household consumption over 10 days.
The new decree-law of the Junta de Andalucía provides for investment to increase the guarantees of drinking water supply, with the following measures:
- Expansion of the capacity of the Marbella desalination plant.
- Installation of brackish water treatment plants at wells in Estepona and Fuengirola.
- Replacement of the Rojas pumping station to connect the Costa del Sol with Málaga.
- Speeding up of procedures for the authorisation of desalination plants and new boreholes.
Acosol insists on the need for responsible use of water in order to deal with the drought.
