Water supply problems
 

We live in the campo but are on mains water. Problem is that the mains seem to be bursting somewhere along the line and we can go for hours (sometimes days) without water.

Now in the winter, this is not much of a problem, but in the summertime, it is pretty dire! Yes we keep expensive bottled water on hand, but using this to flush the loos etc soon mounts up.

I am surprised that there appears to be no provision whatsoever to bring in mobile water to residents when the mains are off, nor of any compensation at all (or am I wrong)?

Perhaps this is an undocumented joy of living in Spain :D

Re: Water supply problems
 

Yes it happens!

The usual solution if it is a regular occurrence is to install a small water tank which is plumbed into the system to provide water for a short period while the main supply is off.

Re: Water supply problems
 

Hi

I don´t have mains water, so rely on electricity (normal mains electric) for the well pump. But I keep a 5 gallon jerry can of water with which I can flush the toilet whenever we have a power cut and I don´t want to start the generator.

Davexf

Re: Water supply problems
 

Have you tried ringing them and logging the complaint?

We found that once we had done that, we either had a call back with an explanation or it was fixed within a couple of hours.

Is it EGEVASA?

Re: Water supply problems
 

I don't know what your area is like, but we and most campo dwellers around here have a deposito (large storage vessel - in our case 2 x 10,000 ltr) to back up for when the mains is off or on low pressure....in summer this can be for weeks at a time. In fact right now we haven't had mains water (maybe a dribble at night, but not enough to fill up) for about 10-12 days.
For those who haven't got mains, or when the situation is seriously bad, there are well owners with water bowsers who can sell water in large quantity - 2,000ltre or so at a time. I'd be surprised if all this doesn't apply country-wide.

Re: Water supply problems
 

No. our water is supplied by Aguas Del - it always affects at least 20 properties in my locality and the Spanish speaking owners always get straight onto the company, but I do not believe they ever get told what caused the stoppage, until I drive out and see yet another hole in the road they have dug up to make the repair.

Re: Water supply problems
 

[QUOTE=fionamw;9491108]I don't know what your area is like, but we and most campo dwellers around here have a deposito (large storage vessel - in our case 2 x 10,000 ltr) to back up for when the mains is off or on low pressure....in summer this can be for weeks at a time. In fact right now we haven't had mains water (maybe a dribble at night, but not enough to fill up) for about 10-12 days.QUOTE]

And I thought I had it bad!:ohmy:

Re: Water supply problems
 

Some friends of ours who live on an urbanisation still have problems with water as although they have a "mains" supply it comes from a deposito on the Urb. It can run out, especially if someone refills his pool so they bought a big plastic tank and had an "on demand" pump fitted.

Problem solved.

We live in the campo and rely on agricultural water which, although it is delivered by a pipe connected to the property is not exactly "mains" water as it is not pressurised all the time.

Our deposito is big enough for a small family to live in - 200,000 litres.;);)

Re: Water supply problems
 

[QUOTE=Peter Squires;9491144]Yip, all the old favourites - washing up water for plants, yelling at the kids for tsunamis getting in the pool, 'if it's yellow it's mellow if it's brown flush it down':o' - we're familiar with all the above and more! Mind you not quite the same as having a leak someone should be aware of and mending....

Re: Water supply problems
 

Round here it is standard practice to have a tank on the roof to carry you over a break in the water supply.

Re: Water supply problems
 

In this part of Valencia (Muro and all parts North), there is no need for depositos (generally) as the mains supply never gets turned off due to lack of water. This includes campo properties as well.

In fact, a lot of water under this area is shipped to Barcelona and such places as we have more than we need (yep, we really are lucky in that respect).

Re: Water supply problems
 

I've never understood the inconsistencies of water supply (UK, world over too) because yes we too have lakes the highest level for three years but who gets their water from where is the critical factor. Oh and that's not mentioning that during feria of course the villages get water whilst we in the sticks go dry!!!

Re: Water supply problems
 

I feel really lucky to have a large and full old fashioned well in my garden. I too have to pump from electricity though. So, if the electricity goes off I have to wait or use a generator as well. You can get a thin well (Pozo) drilled quite easily if you live in the Campo and there is any underground water source,(which there usually is) though I'm not sure what the cost is. I'd recommend it though. We got bored with the paperwork to get connected to mains water. Now we use well water for everything except drinking and brushing teeth. We go to the nearest fuente every two or three weeks and fill a car boot full of bottles for the most delicious drinking water. On Sunday the water was off all day throughout our village. Just the lucky few had well water.

Re: Water supply problems
 

In Lanzarote our mains water has never run 24/7 and it used to be the law that every house could store enough to cope for 3 days, size depending on the number of folks living there. I've noticed recently that some newbuilds don't have them (they are usually on the roof of newer propeties, but many have recently started installing them. A small electric pump is needed to get the pressure up round th house. Mine is underground (holds 30 tons) so if the leccy goes off it's a bucket and rope job - keeps us fit!

I recently installed 1000 ltre tank at ground level, with small on demand pump) in a house that had by-passed it's underground tank (which now leaks), and it's doing the job fine.

Re: Water supply problems
 

Watch out for when they come round with a GPS wanting to know where your well is. We are near an arroyo, and they have said that we will HAVE to have a mains supply when it comes in as the ground water MAY (not that they would test it) be contaminated by agricultural chems. I don't mind paying the standing charge, as I would consider it an insuance if my well pump goes down. However we would want to continue to use the well for watering the garden/huerta rather than pay for mains to do that.

Re: Water supply problems
 

If your pump goes down I'm sure you could buy and fit another one the same day bil! If it's just an electricity outage, quite a small generator would cope with that.
I'm sure they try that one on. But it won't wash (pardon the pun) with me!
Anyway you can check your own water and prove them wrong. A well digger will tell you whether the water in your village is safe.
We don't have a lot of Agricultural chemicals. We're on top of a little hill surrounded by little hills all with just Oaks and the occasional olive on them. The pigs are free range Pata negra. I think we're far enough from The Mines of Riotinto not to be affected especially as we have a potable water reservoir between it and us. I agree. If it's easy to get my water connected I'll do it. But they'll have to come knocking on my door rather than the farcical trying to get them to do it on my request!

Re: Water supply problems
 

Trust me, you don't know how determined they are to get everyone onto mains water. It will make a lovely little earner for them, and even if the water tests ok today, that doesn't mean it will be safe tomorrow.

I intend to fight it if it ever comes to it, but it won't be easy.

Re: Water supply problems
 

I think it rather depends on what the connection & standing charges are how hard I'll fight!:D

Re: Water supply problems
 

Anyone have any idea of standing charges? It seems there is some kind of water "amnesty" on. There's a note in our local shop advising those with illegal supplies to come clean and get a free legal connection. My supply isn't illegal but I guess my sewage should be charged at an in-out rate. That is to say they count what water you use, and then charge a related amount for the sewage?? It might be a way for me to be connected without so much paperwork hassle, and free of charge. I can still use my lovely well water, Or switch depending what's easy/cheap/available:-)

Re: Water supply problems
 

I'm not quite sure I understand but ......

Water seems to be charged at a standard rate which includes sewerage. One of our flats is charged 10.40 for 'tasas y canones' (charges and fees), 'instalacion' (equipment?) is 3.25 and then consumption (19.15 in this case). So all of that, with IVA, comes to 34.92 euros for a 3 month period! Very cheap I would say.

At home, we are charged similar amounts (last quarter was 50 euros) yet we have our own septic tank.


... or maybe the sewerage charge is in with the BASURA tax every October - any one know?

Re: Water supply problems
 

In Lanza those who are on mains water pay a standard charge to Inalsa which includes 10 cu metres of water. Then there is a further charge if you go over this amount.

There is no charge for sewage as it is not looked after by the water company. It is included in the IBI (Rates)

Re: Water supply problems
 

there has been a little bit of a fuss in the UK because the water authorities have been charging for supply and sewage to those who have a cess pit. In some case for many years.
They are saying their records are incomplete and its the responsibility of the householder to tell them.

The housholder can claim back as far as they like - its inshrined in some law that the maximum compensation is 1 year.

another scam:thumbdown: