Marbella may have to implement water supply cut-offs during certain hours of the day within the next four to five weeks if the region doesn’t receive rainfall and fails to achieve a 20% reduction in drinking water consumption. The situation is dire, according to Fulgencio Díaz, the manager of water company Hidralia.
In addition to Marbella, 11 other municipalities along the western Costa del Sol have now prohibited the use of drinking water for watering green spaces, both private and public, refilling swimming pools, washing cars (except at authorized facilities), and street cleaning.
In response to these restrictions, the local government has approved the reactivation of 11 old wells that provide non-potable water. This water will be used for street cleaning in areas where health risks may arise and for watering green spaces. Once the wells are operational, they will also be accessible to residential complexes and neighborhood groups for watering community trees and shrubs using tankers. One of these wells, located on Calle Camilo José Cela, is already in use.
Local councilor Diego López warned this week that the drought is not a temporary issue but a long-term problem.
