Spain has been affected by drought since the end of 2022, and several areas have since then introduced a number of extraordinary measures to save water.
Also in the Andalucía region, which includes, among other things, the Norwegian holiday favorite Costa del Sol in Malaga province.
The authorities have so far tightened up on watering gardens, washing streets and cars, using fountains, showering and general use of water at night. Access to swimming pools is now also affected.
– Forbidden
Recently, there has been uncertainty as to whether the pools, which are connected to tourist-owned homes in the area, will be affected by the restrictions. Now there is no longer any doubt.
HOLIDAY FAVORITE: In addition to the provincial capital Malaga, Marbella is one of the tourists’ favorite cities in the province. Here from Marbella’s seafront. Photo: saiko3p / Shutterstock / NTB
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On Friday 15 March, Patricia Navarro, junta delegate in Malaga province, came out and made it clear that tourists can risk encountering dry pools if they have rented a privately owned holiday apartment or similar.
A Spanish junta is a smaller group that takes care of government tasks in the various regions.
– Filling pools located in private housing estates is prohibited, Navarro told the newspaper SUR.
Sound the alarm
– These measures have been put in place to safeguard health and safety, which is our top priority, she explained further.
Exception
Pools used for health purposes are exempt from the restrictions. There are also public swimming facilities, which Navarro explains by saying that those living inland in the region need an opportunity to cool off in the summer heat.
In addition, it is permitted to fill hotel pools and pools belonging to apartment hotels and apartments that are exclusively rented by tourists, as this falls within the scope of offers that are of “public interest”.
COSTA DEL SOL: The city of Estepona, a favorite tourist destination in Malaga province, is also affected by the restrictions. Photo: Birgitte T. Kristiansen
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– It supports the tourism sector, which is one of the biggest sources of income in our economy, said Navarro.
– Will be completed in 2026
These are milder restrictions than those introduced in Catalonia, where the popular holiday city of Barcelona is located. Here, hotels and tourist accommodation are also prohibited from filling the pools with public water reserves.
Navarro also added that they hope that the rainfall that has come and is reported in Andalucia in the future can help to fill the water reservoirs towards the summer.
According to the Junta delegate, the drought commission in the region will hold another meeting after Easter, so the guidelines may still change.
