Swimming pool ban in Spain: Alicante holiday destination takes shocking measure after months of ‘historic drought’

ALTEA is the first municipality on the Costa Blanca to introduce a ban on filling swimming pools and watering gardens and sports fields due to the ongoing drought.

Mayor Diego Zaragozi signed an emergency decree on Wednesday that will affect urbanization in the higher parts of the area.

The order applies to La Malla (Altea Hills), El Mascarat, Alhama Candela and Sierra Altea II.

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There are bans on watering gardens, orchards, terraces, green areas and sports fields, both private and public.

Filling swimming pools, ponds and fountains is prohibited, as is cleaning and washing roads, paths and sidewalks.

Aurora Serrat, Altea’s councillor for infrastructure and water cycle, said: “The recent months of drought and the increase in water consumption in summer make it necessary to take exceptional and preventive measures to maintain the capacity of the wells in the Sierra”.

Serrat also appealed to the public to use water responsibly and adhere to the new rules.

The municipality of Altea launched an awareness campaign in April with the slogan: ‘Every drop counts’.

The two reservoirs serving the area are the Guadalest with a capacity of 26% and the Amadorio with only 14%.