The Costa del Sol, a popular destination for hundreds of thousands of British tourists annually, is experiencing a severe water crisis due to a prolonged drought. Local authorities have implemented measures to reduce water consumption, but conflicting regulations have left residents and holidaymakers uncertain.
The Junta de Andalusia approved a fourth drought decree in late January, allocating £185 million to water recovery projects and urging residents to cut usage. However, the decree lacks clear rules on filling swimming pools, leaving the decision to town councils, which have imposed stricter restrictions.
Manuel Jiménez, president of the Malaga Association of Property Administrators, criticised the contradictory regulations, stating, 'It is very difficult to advise communities.' He warned of potential clashes between neighbourhoods over water use, noting that tourism, tropical crops, and population growth are straining resources.
Acosol, the water utility for western Costa del Sol, proposed banning the filling of private swimming pools and public showers. Meanwhile, hotels are largely exempt from such restrictions, as their pools are classified as public. Javier Hernández of the Association of Costa del Sol Hoteliers confirmed that hotel pools can remain open, while private pool owners face bans.
This disparity has sparked tensions, with residents unable to cool off while tourists enjoy unrestricted access. Arturo Bernal, Andalusia's tourism councillor, assured that drought measures would not affect tourists. Reports indicate that hotel guests consume three times more water per day than residents, highlighting the inequity.
The Costa del Sol saw a record 12.5 million visitors in 2023, including over 820,000 from the UK in the first eight months. The crisis underscores broader failures in water management, as the UK indirectly relies on Spanish water imports through agricultural and tourism supply chains.
