The people of Vélez de Benaudalla have organised a protest to take place on the dam on Friday the 29th at 19.00h.

The protesters will congregate on Rules Dam for two reasons; the defence of Río Guadalfeo and its historic irrigation which is still in use today, and secondly, to protest against the water-supply levy imposed on farmers, which they consider “disproportionate and unfair.”

The Town Council, with the unanimous support of all political groups, is calling for the suspension of this levy and the opening of a working group involving farmers, administrations, and citizens to find a solution.

Mayor Francisco Gutiérrez has criticised the fact that they are being required to pay a levy when they are not even included in the water-monitoring committees linked to the dam.

This all has to do with the water-distribution system that will bring water from the dam down to where it is needed; a project that is well behind schedule.

Besides the money that they will have to pay, their other concern is that this new water-distribution system will dismantle the centuries-old, irrigation system. It is, in esssence, the balance between modern infrastructure and the conservation of heritage.

(News: Velez de Benaudalla, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Rules Dam, Emblase de Rules, Stored-water, Distribution system. Historic Irrigation System, Levy, Protest, Mayor Gutiérrez

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