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Date Published: 12/08/2022

ARCHIVED - Murcia Region warned of possible water restrictions unless it rains soon

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Farms in the Region could see their irrigation supply cut by 25% in the autumn

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Murcia Region warned of possible water restrictions unless it rains soon

While the Segura Hydrographic Confederation scrambles to increase water supply to farms across the Region of Murcia in the midst of the driest weather spell experienced in Spain in more than 500 years, the powers that be have indicated that restrictions will have to be put in place if the area doesn’t see some substantial rainfall soon.

The president of the organisation, Mario Urrea, explained this week that the Segura basin is currently in a state of pre-alert, and if it doesn’t rain in the autumn, a full “alert situation” would have to be activated, “where the supply of water for irrigation would have to be restricted by 25%.”

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The situation isn’t unique to the Region of Murcia, of course. Reservoirs in Spain are, on average, only around 40% full and half of Europe is on alert for a shortage. Several communities in this country have already implemented restrictions, such as hosepipe bans and prohibiting residents from filling their pools and washing their cars, while in Malaga, water supply has been cut off to the beach showers in Rincón de la Victoria and Vélez-Málaga since August 1.

In Murcia, the basin association is preparing for the worst and planning on opening the drought wells to ensure that there is enough water for homes and businesses. These wells are technically ready to go, but some work still needs to be done on the environmental authorisations required to open them, which won’t be completed until the last moment, the emergency phase.

Meanwhile, Murcia is gearing up for one last blast of heat this weekend, with temperatures in the mid-40s forecast, before the mercury takes a welcome dip at the beginning of next week.

Also of interest: The Lorca almond at serious risk due to drought

Image: Archive

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