Water release outcry
The release of reservoir stocks to create 'environmental' flow of water meets with opposition from experts and Marina Baja institutions
The Júcar Water Confederation has been forced to stop the release of water from Guadalest and Amadorio reservoirs following a flood of complaints from towns in the area.
PRESSURE from councils, associations and experts this week has forced the Júcar Water Confederation (CHJ) to stop the release of water stocked in the Amadorio and Guadalest reservoirs.
Last week, the water authority began releasing 10,368 cubic metres of water - or the equivalent of over four Olympic-size swimming pools per day. Throughout one month, the amount of water to be released would have reached 311,040 cubic metres (over 124 Olympic pools).
The CHJ action was aimed at 'ensuring an environmental flow of water' (Caudal Ecológico) into the Amadorio and Guadalest rivers leading from the reservoirs to the sea in Villajoyosa and Altea respectively. This would benefit flora and fauna along the riversides.
Rainfall over the past few weeks has replenished both reservoirs, which are the main source of supplies for towns from Altea to Villajoyosa and inland - including the large amount of water Benidorm requires.
In both cases, the reservoirs are at 50% of their capacity, less than the levels reached after the snow and heavy rain early in 2017, but still far above the 6 to 8% reported in December 2016.
The current situation of both reservoirs allows the area to be optimistic about this year's supplies if stocks are used wisely.
But while authorities in Callosa d'Ensarrià, Altea and Villajoyosa - towns the rivers run through - are not complaining, the rest of Marina Baja towns were up in arms over the weekend.
The main warning came from experts at Alicante Univer- sity, who say it could end up damaging the much-needed supply during peak tourism seasons.
Three years ago, an emergency supply of five cubic hectometres of water had to be pumped from Muchamiel desalinisation plant to the Amadorio in summer because low stocks threatened to cause supply cuts in the area.
A University report even proves that is it 'normal' for such rivers not to have water flow during dry periods (summer), but water returns when rain falls as part of the natural process.
Benidorm hoteliers association Hosbec also voiced its opposition to the release of water, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families who work in the tourism sector, not only in Benidorm but throughout the Marina Baja.
Several other associations, including farmers and official bodies in the area, joined the opposition to the water release, some even accusing the board of having an invested interest in diminshing stocks at the both reservoirs that would have required the use of the Muchmiel plant supplies - at a cost.
Meanwhile, news from the Tajo river reservoirs - from which emergency supplies could be channelled to Alicante province - is not good.
Both Buendia and Entrepeñas reservoirs have increased their stocks to 70 cubic hectometres, but that is still below the 'red line' that would allow them to channel water to the Costa Blanca.
Hence the need to preserve all the available stocks in the area.
Due to the strong opposition, the CHJ announced it was going the release of water.