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Málaga is mostly set for a summer without water restrictions
Months of spring rainfall and urgent infrastructure efforts have helped stabilise the province’s reservoirs - but officials warn the crisis isn’t over yet.
Málaga province is preparing for a summer with no general water restrictions in place, thanks to improving reservoir levels and new water sources coming online. However, some limits will remain in specific areas, particularly parts of the Antequera region.According to the Junta de Andalucía, Málaga’s reservoirs are now at 41.3% capacity, up from just 15% at the start of March. The improvement is most dramatic in the Axarquía, one of the worst-hit areas earlier this year. La Viñuela, which had dropped to single digits, is now at 31%, its best level in three years.
Across the province, work to increase pumping capacity and transfer water from other sources, such as the Churriana wells and La Rosaleda weir, has helped make the most of recent rainfall. Officials have also credited desalination efforts and stepped-up conservation campaigns with helping to stabilise the supply.
“We are not where we were a few months ago,” said a Junta spokesperson. “The situation is much improved, but we cannot fall into complacency. Summer is coming, and consumption will increase significantly.”
The mood is cautiously optimistic. The Junta says restrictions on irrigation will remain in place, particularly in agricultural areas, to avoid undoing recent gains. Local water boards are also urging residents to maintain the savings habits formed during the crisis.
Málaga city has officially lifted all of its drought-related restrictions. The City Council confirmed that, from Saturday 14 June, beach showers will be switched back on, and public footbaths have already been working since Easter. Drinking fountains, street cleaning, irrigation of parks and gardens, and swimming pool refills are all once again permitted.
The City Council pointed out that operating the beach showers represents just 0.24% of total municipal water usage. A spokesperson added: “The improved situation means we can now return to normal water use across the capital.”
Across the Costa del Sol, municipalities are following suit. Mijas has confirmed that its beach showers will be open this summer, with 15-second push-button systems to help conserve water. Benalmádena also plans to return to “completely normal” water use, and Torremolinos will reopen its beach facilities with water-saving features like timed flow control.
Still, the warning signs haven’t disappeared. Despite the broadly positive outlook, four municipalities in the Antequera area, Humilladero, Fuente de Piedra, Mollina and Alameda, have chosen to impose their own local restrictions. These include bans on filling swimming pools with mains water, washing down streets and pavements, cleaning cars outside of authorised facilities, and other non-essential water uses.
“Although the situation is better than last year, we are still in a state of severe shortage,” said Jorge Martín, president of Axaragua, the regional public water company. “Keeping the showers closed is a responsible step.”
For now, though, Málaga heads into summer with fuller reservoirs, fewer restrictions… and a little breathing room.
Image: Jonas KIM/Pixabay
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