The aftermath of DANA Alice continues to cause problems across the Region of Murcia. After days of heavy rainfall, flash floods swept through several areas of the Campo de Cartagena, damaging infrastructure and forcing emergency services to close roads and pump water from homes and businesses.
Now, authorities have confirmed that the flooding has contaminated the local water network, leaving three coastal towns, San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, and Los Alcázares, without safe tap water. The issue was detected late Saturday night when the Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (MCT) found that floodwater had entered part of the water distribution system.
More than 100,000 people affected
According to the MCT, runoff water from the floods infiltrated the supply channels, reducing water quality and forcing a precautionary ban on tap water use. The restriction affects over 100,000 residents across the three towns, as well as several smaller districts of Torre Pacheco.
Technicians have emptied and cleaned local water tanks and are running continuous checks, but the alert will remain in place until tests confirm that the water is once again safe to drink.
What residents should and shouldn’t do
Authorities are advising residents not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, washing food, brushing teeth, washing clothes or personal hygiene. The water should also not be used for washing dishes, preparing baby formula, or watering animals.
Instead, people should use bottled water for all consumption and hygiene purposes. Tap water can only be used for cleaning floors, watering gardens, or flushing toilets. The town halls have also recommended using hand sanitiser for handwashing until the situation is resolved.
Town halls take action to support residents
The three affected municipalities have taken steps to make safe drinking water available to everyone.
In San Pedro del Pinatar, several distribution points and water trucks have been set up at key locations, including the Recinto Ferial, the Lo Pagán esplanade, and two permanent points in El Mojón. Vulnerable residents with urgent needs are being assisted by Protección Civil, who can be contacted on 968 18 80 92. The town has also opened showers at the Pilar de la Horadada sports centre for residents who cannot use tap water at home.
In Los Alcázares, water tanks are available outside the Town Hall and in Miguel de Cervantes Square in Los Narejos. The local government has coordinated with supermarkets and food shops to ensure bottled water remains available throughout the day.
San Javier has set up additional supply points in Santiago de la Ribera, El Mirador, Roda, and La Manga del Mar Menor, areas connected to unaffected supply lines.
Work underway to restore safe supply
Teams from the MCT, Hidrogea, and local water companies are cleaning and disinfecting the affected pipelines and reservoirs. Extra water quality tests are being carried out to monitor progress.
Although the contamination is not considered severe, the authorities are maintaining restrictions as a precaution to protect public health. Residents are being kept informed through local police announcements, social media, and town hall websites.
Local councils have thanked residents for their patience and cooperation and said that restoring a safe and reliable supply of drinking water is their top priority.
Read more Costa Calida news, articles and events here