Torrox Council, in collaboration with Aqualia, has completed a detailed study of the water supply network in the municipality, the ultimate objectives being to prevent leakage, wastage and misuse of this valuable commodity.
The area was officially declared a ‘drought region’ on Friday and the Council is keen to make improvements in the network to preserve supplies.
The water rates in Torrox have not risen for four years and, unlike in some municipalities, the Council has no plan to introduce any increase for next year, not even in relation to the CPI (Consumer Price Index). However, due to the increased charges for the water supplied to the municipality, the Council is running up quite a debt.
The cost of water to the Council has risen from €60,000 to €218,000, and this has generated a deficit of around €760,000 during the past four years. What the Council are hoping is that, by improving the system in various ways, the extra costs can be offset and water rates will not have to rise.
Apart from leakage, one of the areas being studied is the misuse of water by some individuals and communities. The idea is to identify these and make those concerned pay for the amount of water actually being consumed, something which will boost the municipal coffers.