News

As we mentioned earlier, the water level of La Viñuela reservoir has been rising. At that time, it was about 21.7% full. It has now climbed to over 50%! After years of severe drought, the water crisis in the Axarquía region of Málaga finally seems to be reaching a turning point. La Viñuela reservoir – the largest in the province – is more than half full for the first time in years thanks to unusually wet winter months, offering relief to local farmers, residents, and officials.

However, despite this positive news, the situation remains fragile. The region’s water infrastructure is outdated and, in many cases, incapable of delivering adequate or reliable water to inland villages.

€12 Million Investment in Water Pipelines
To tackle these issues, the Junta de Andalucía and the Diputación de Málaga have announced an ambitious plan to renew and expand around 30 kilometers of water pipelines. The total investment amounts to more than €12 million.

This new infrastructure will improve water supply for at least seven villages – including Benamargosa, Almáchar, El Borge, Cútar, Comares, Riogordo, and Colmenar – which together are home to around 12,000 residents. In a later phase, nine more municipalities in the Axarquía are expected to benefit from the network as well.

One of the main problems is that the existing pipelines are too narrow and fragile. During floods in November 2024, parts of the infrastructure were severely damaged, leaving some villages without water for days. The new system will include pipes with a larger diameter to increase capacity and prevent future service disruptions.

Funding and Rising Tariffs
The cost of this modernization is substantial. Axaragua, the water company responsible for managing the network, is currently dealing with a debt of around €10 million. To ease this financial burden and enable the new investments, the Mancomunidad of Axarquía has decided to increase water supply rates by 27% and waste water treatment rates by 35%.

Although these price hikes are raising concerns among many residents, local authorities stress that they are essential to future-proof the network and better withstand prolonged periods of drought.

Cautious Hope for the Future
The combination of natural rainfall and long-awaited infrastructure investments is creating cautious optimism in the region. Farmers will be able to irrigate their crops more effectively, villages will regain reliable access to water, and the government appears determined to correct past mistakes. But one thing is clear: without structural improvements to the water system, the region remains vulnerable to future droughts.