In parts of Spain popular with tourists, tap water has become so salty that it is unfit to drink. Residents and tourists alike have to queue for bottled water or get it from special dispensers.
As described by CNN, a crisis situation is occurring in several cities in the popular tourist region of Spain's Costa Blanca on the Mediterranean Sea. For months, due to the ongoing drought, groundwater levels have been falling, as a result of which salty seawater has seeped into them, thus contaminating drinking water.
Tap water too salty
In August, authorities in the municipality of Teulada-Moraira declared that tap water was undrinkable due to rising salinity. Earlier in June, one well was found to have 10 times higher salinity than usual. According to CNN, officials have installed drinking water dispensers in the area, and each person can take a maximum of 20 liters per week. The municipality has 12,000 residents, and during the summer season, there are up to five times more people.
In the nearby commune of Benitachell, it was announced in June that it was experiencing a “very serious situation” related to the high salinity of its drinking water “after two years of rain shortages.” In early August, the mayor declared the tap water unfit for consumption and was giving residents free bottled water.
Increased demand for water
Already in March, due to the worsening situation, local authorities declared an “exceptional situation related to extraordinary drought” in some parts of the province of Alicante. In the summer, the situation worsened even more due to the influx of large numbers of tourists and increased demand for water. For example, in the Marina Alta region in the province of Alicante, water consumption averages 2.3 billion liters in January and 19.67 billion in July. There are also almost 38 thousand swimming pools in this area alone. Due to the drought, some local authorities have issued a ban on filling them, as well as on watering gardens or washing cars during the day.
The situation on the Costa Blanca has worsened due to the influx of large numbers of tourists and increased demand for water. Shutterstock
The situation is not expected to improve anytime soon – according to José Ángel Núñez Mora, a climatologist from the Spanish Meteorological Service, quoted by CNN, no significant rainfall is expected in the coming weeks. Even if it does occur, a large amount of rainwater will be needed to replenish water supplies.
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Main image source: Shutterstock