The Town Hall of Comares in the Axarquía area of Málaga has initiated the fining process against 21 locals who have used excessive amounts of water.

The 21 households each used over 200,000 litres of water in the last three months; i.e., during the summer.

The whole of the Axarquía is suffering extreme, water shortages because of the persistent drought, which is why the Comares Town Hall brought out a bylaw on the 26th of July, restricting water use.

The Mayor, Manuel Robles (PP), explained that the fines will be for a sum of 300 euros but that could go up to 3,000 euros if the water-squandering behaviour continues during the next three months.

“If you consume 200,000 litres in three months you have effectively tripled the average, household, water consumption,” he explained, adding that the bylaw prohibited the refilling of private swimming pool, the washing of cars (other than at public, car washes) as well as the watering of gardens, private and public, and municipal parks.

Comares has been having to fill the municipal water tanks using water bowsers since August, as three wells used for the domestic, water supply dried up. Using water bowsers is 14 times more expensive than what residents are being charged, so when residents waste this water, filling pools and watering gardens, etc, it is exasperating, to say the least, hence the fines.

(News: Comares, Axarquia, Malaga, Andalucia – Photo: Sur)