Outrage Over New Water Saving Measures. Water shortages on the Costa Del Sol have forced the government to introduce drastic drought prevention laws.
Outrage Over New Water Saving Measures
This summer water reserves on the Costa Del Sol are at an all time low. Reservoirs are at less than 50% capacity, and a lack of rainfall could impact local agriculture and tourism across all sectors. To combat the potential drought conditions, Mijas County Council have introduced drastic drought prevention laws.
Carlos Deposito from the Torremolinos Water Area Treaments says the council are right to act now. “People are complaining about the new laws, but it makes sense to take action now before the water shortage causes serious environmental and economical issues on the Costa Del Sol”.
Toilet Flush Monitoring
The new laws are focusing on reducing water waste through toilet flushing. Every hotel, bar, and restaurant on the Costa Del Sol will be required to fit each lavatory with a council approved flush monitor. This will restrict flushing to once per day in every hotel room, and in bars or restaurants the flushing will be restricted to one flush for every five facility users.
Lavatories must be fitted with new flush detection monitors.
Approved Installations
The flush monitoring devices can be installed by a council approved engineer, and will cost €72 per lavatory (including fitting fee). Fernando Pato De Bano owns the 2 star Travellers Demise Hotel in Estepona. He says the charges are too much. “It’s ridiculous, I have 50 rooms in my hotel, most of them have functioning toilets. This is going to bankrupt me before the season even starts. Why are they worried about people flushing the toilet when there are water parks wasting millions of gallons of water every day?”.
Outraged Expats
British expats are reacting with outrage to the new laws, which come into effect next week. Anne Fernandez runs a non political Facebook group where members can express varying degrees of outrage over topical issues including the suitability of white cotton socks with sandals. Anne told Costa Del Sol Update “I’m outraged, this is disgusting. My members are outraged too. It’s going to cost British business owners a fortune. Who wants to be the fifth person to use the unflushed toilet? In the summer heat it will be revolting. I’m running in the local elections, and my new campaign slogan is Freedom To Flush. Vote for me. I’ll stand up for your lavatorial rights”.
This swimming pool sits empty because the hotel owner has redirected the water to flush the toilets.
Impact On Tourism
As word of the drought prevention laws reaches the UK, there are fears that it could affect tourist numbers. Walter Croset from Birmingham is planning a family holiday to Marbella but may now change his plans. He said “Actually I’m not from Birmingham, I’m from Sutton Coldfield. I don’t think I want to go on holiday somewhere if I can’t flush the toilet. It’s disgusting. At my age, toilets are a real concern. You never know when you need to go”.
Support For Expanding The Laws
Not everyone is opposed to the new plans though. Miguel Rubor from the Benalmadena Ordnance Group believes that the new laws should be extended to include residential properties. “We all need to do our bit” he said. “Not just businesses and hotels, everyone, let’s bring this vital water saving law into our homes too”.
Do you think that these measures are reasonable? Have your say in the comments section.
Written by Matt Finish, Costa Del Sol Update, 14.05.2019
I think Anne should keep her opinions to herself. She should respect the laws of the country she has emigrated to. In addition these “British businesses” should also respect the law, as if being British somehow entitles them to preferential treatment. These laws affect Spanish businesses also and everyone must respect the law as it is there in everyone’s best interests. – Unimpressed local.