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Recent actions to mitigate water scarcity due to drought in the province of Malaga include implementing overnight water shutoffs and reducing water pressure.
The local authorities have established a daily water consumption limit of 160 liters per person for residents of Costa del Sol, Axarquia, and Malaga, adding to the restrictions previously placed throughout the province. Over 15 towns have experienced night-time water disruptions lasting up to 14 hours, and some have seen reductions in water pressure overnight. The regional government has cautioned that, should conditions not improve, water might need to be transported to Malaga via tankers this summer.
The decision to cap water usage at 160 liters daily per person comes from the Drought Management Committee of the Andalusian Mediterranean Basins, introducing several new restrictions. Prohibited uses of potable water now include street cleaning, filling of private pools, irrigation of gardens, parks (both public and private), golf courses, non-approved car washes, ornamental fountains without a recycling system, and the operation of public showers and fountains.
These restrictions apply to areas officially experiencing exceptional drought conditions, including the Western Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce-Limonero, and Axarquía-Viñuela. Axarquia towns are notably affected by the overnight water shutoffs. The timing of these shutoffs varies, depending on how quickly water tanks can be refilled, leading to cuts starting at different times—some as early as 10:00pm or even sooner when necessary.
In Axarquia, residents of Velez-Malaga and its surrounding towns face water shutoffs from 11:00pm to 8:30am. Rincon de la Victoria and the urban area of Periana, as well as its 10 villages, also undergo nightly restrictions. Additionally, Sedella and other villages in Axarquia have overnight water cuts, with the specifics dependent on water reserve levels. Outside Axarquia, Casabermeja, Villanueva de la Concepcion, and Valle de Abdalajís experience daily water shutoffs, with scheduled times for water availability.
While the Western Costa del Sol hasn't seen water supply cuts, towns like Fuengirola and Benalmadena are experiencing reduced water pressure during the night, with Malaga City planning to implement a similar strategy.
The Malaga and Melilla Property Administrators Association has noted that pressure reductions will primarily impact the upper floors of tall and older buildings, potentially affecting the operation of some household appliances. The association's president, Manuel Jimenez, acknowledges the necessity of these measures due to the drought but also points out the challenges they pose, especially for communities with elderly and vulnerable residents.