Water cut in Campo de Cartagena after DANA storm

Heavy rains from the DANA storm known as 'Alice' caused runoff infiltrations into a supply channel managed by the Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (MCT), prompting authorities to declare the water unsuitable for human consumption in several service points across the Mar Menor and Campo de Cartagena area.

The restriction impacts the towns of San Javier, Los Alcázares and San Pedro del Pinatar, as well as numerous hamlets in Torre Pacheco and parts of Murcia (Baños and Mendigo, Lobosillo and Avileses), affecting roughly 100,000 residents. Health authorities limit water use to cleaning tasks that will not later come into contact with food.

To protect public health, local councils and the MCT have deployed water tankers and distribution points for jerrycans; several shops have opened to sell bottled water. Supply points are operating in plazas and civic centres in Roldán, Dolores de Pacheco, Los Alcázares, San Pedro, San Javier and La Manga, among others.

The MCT has launched an intensive canal cleaning campaign, using strongly chlorinated water with high-pressure washers and mechanical removal of accumulated mud. Work starts in the first two affected sections, including the intake for the El Mirador reservoir, and will proceed progressively to restore service.

After conditioning intakes, reservoirs and related infrastructure, health authorities will progressively authorise the restoration of potable water under the standards of Royal Decree 3/2023. The MCT and towns have urged residents to use water responsibly while cleaning continues.

Technicians warn that full restoration may take at least six days from the start of operations; teams are working in coordination to minimise disruption until normal supply is recovered.