The torrential rains caused by DANA are gone no water supply to more than 600,000 people coming from 78 municipalities in the Valencian Community, a figure that was reduced to 7,000 households this weekend. According to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, In five municipalities, we cannot drink water from the tap because it is not drinkable and in other 60 it is advisable to boil it before consumption.
Even if the water supply is not a problem, water quality and incidents in the facilities of buildings affected by DANA. It is for this reason that the ministry led by Teresa Ribera recommends boiling water, question that the Generalitat rejects.
From the government of Carlos Mazón, the general recommendation for areas affected by the storm is drink bottled water. In this sense, through a message on social networks, the president of the Generalitat described “wrong” Teresa Ribera’s recommendations and highlighted that Public Health recommends the use of bottled water for drinking and cooking in all the municipalities concerned by DANA.
“The water can be used for showering and washing.. Free bottled water is available at refreshment points in each town. If you have any questions, consult the municipal authorities,” he stressed.
Over the past few hours there have been analytical in the waters of five municipalities – the results are expected shortly – where local authorities have already reported that it is still not fit for human consumption, even by boiling it beforehand.
On the other hand, it happens that cleaning work in areas devastated by the storm caused demand for water to skyrocketwhich quadrupled normal needs.
Sewer problems
In addition to water quality problems, there are those that exist in sanitation networks. There are sewage problems in 34 municipalitiesespecially in small collectors, many of which are clogged, for which there are no cleaning machines available.
In cases where this network must be replaced, the ministry recommends going towards separative systems (rain and feces).
112 treatment plants affected
Another very worrying problem is the high number of damaged sewage treatment plants. In total there are 122 throughout the province of Valencia. After the passage of the DANA and several repairs during this week and a half, the figures improved: 96 were operational with damage, 12 are partially operational and 13 completely inoperative.
According to the damage assessment and the forecasts of the responsible administrations, it is estimated that within a year Of the 12 partially operational, nine could be repaired and of the 13 inoperative, 10 could function.
