Bajo Almanzora desalination plant inaugurated

THE Minister for the Environment, Rosa Aguilar, inaugurated the desalination plant for the Bajo Almanzora area in Cuevas del Almanzora.

The desalination plant promises to put an end to water problems in the area, and can produce up to 20 cubic hectometres per year, although to begin with it will only work at 25 per cent capacity and will be used for irrigation of crops.

It has been developed by the Aguas de las Cuencas Mediterraneas (Acuamed) State Society and has cost almost €76m, of which €23m were paid for by the EU to satisfy the increasing needs for water both for agriculture and the development of tourist destinations along the coast.

Some 75 per cent of the water produced every year by the plant will be used for irrigation and the rest for human consumption in Carboneras, Mojacar, Los Gallardos, Turre, Bedar, Vera and Cuevas del Almanzora, accounting for around 15 per cent of the total population in Almeria province.

It will be connected to the Carboneras desalination plant which began to operate this summer.