Tap water ban for 1000 residents in Alcaucin – Heavy metals detected in supply

Residents in several areas of Alcaucin have to temporarily avoid tap water for drinking or cooking after officials detected heavy metals in recent tests.

Affected zones lose access to safe drinking water

The local council issued the restriction on May 18 following analysis of the El Cerro water deposit. The ban covers Venta Baja, Puente Don Manuel and multiple housing developments supplied by network R-25419. Around 1000 people out of the council’s 2713 registered inhabitants now face the limitations and compulsory bottled water.

Alcaucin town hall published the order on social media that same evening. Health officials recommended declaring the water unfit for human consumption after parameters showed heavy metal contamination.

Restrictions limit everyday use

Households connected to the affected deposit cannot use the water for any food-related purpose until further notice. People may still employ it for personal hygiene and household cleaning while following health and municipal guidelines.

Alternative supplies deployed quickly

Council teams have activated emergency tankers that deliver drinking water to those areas impacted. In Cerro-Puerta el Vergel and La Torrecilla, authorities provide bottled water directly. One tanker operates in Cruce Don Manuel from 8am to 2pm at the car park near Meson Sara and then moves to the churros stand car park until midnight.

The council urges careful water use and promises regular updates from relevant agencies. The order stays active until new official communication arrives.

Neighbours seek clearer details

Local people are furious over limited initial information about the specific metals involved, their concentrations, possible causes and what the effect on health may be. The opposition group Agrupacion de Electores Somos Alcaucin called for fuller explanations. Former mayor and group spokesperson Mario Blancke pressed the ruling team for answers.

Miguel José Casquero, a local Guadalinfo technician, shared technical guidance online. He explained that boiling fails to remove heavy metals and basic filters usually prove inadequate. He advised against even brushing teeth with the water during the alert. Systems such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation or certified filters can reduce heavy metals, although results depend on the exact contaminant. These substances may accumulate in body tissues over time.

Similar case occurred in Nerja

In December 2023 authorities declared water in Maro, Nerja, unfit to use due to natural radioactivity from the groundwater. That episode affected only the hamlet and led to months of free bottled water distribution while engineers connected the area to the River Chillar supply.

Alcaucin awaits fresh test results and health authority instructions before normal service can resume.