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As autumn sets in and several towns across the Region of Murcia face orange weather alerts for torrential rain, the regional government is investing €14 million in flood protection infrastructure across four municipalities.

 

The projects include storm tanks, sustainable drainage systems and flood-prone parks designed to protect communities from the kind of heavy rainfall that has historically caused significant damage across the Region.

 

With Las Torres de Cotillas, Lorquí and San Javier among the towns receiving new flood protection measures, the investment comes at a crucial time.

 

Construction is currently underway on a stormwater tank at the Las Torres de Cotillas wastewater treatment plant, a sustainable drainage system in Lorquí and a floodable park in Alcantarilla.

 

The sustainable drainage system in Ciudad del Aire, San Javier, is nearly complete and will finish in the coming days, according to sources from the Ministry of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

 

These new projects are in addition to recently completed flood protection infrastructure. The Mojón stormwater network expansion in San Pedro del Pinatar, the Playa Honda stormwater tank in Cartagena and San Javier's north and south tanks are all now fully operational.

 

Two additional projects are moving through the planning stages. The "naturalisation of the Las Cañadas ravine in Pliego" is currently in the bidding phase, with a €405,753 investment aimed at reducing flood risk through nature-based solutions. Meanwhile, the environmental restoration of the Canteras ravine and secondary channels in Cartagena is in the contracting process, with €2.5 million allocated to help retain water during flooding episodes.

 

However, some projects are unfortunately facing delays.

 

 

The regional government is still waiting for an authorised discharge point for the future Santomera sewer, which would protect residents, homes and businesses around the Abanilla road and southern parts of the town. The council is currently drafting a proposed agreement with the Landowners' Association of Huerta de Murcia, which has rejected water evacuation alternatives to the Azarbe de Los Pérez over the past two years.

 

Similarly, the regional government is waiting for land on which to develop the Las Zorreras channel in Alcantarilla.

 

Regional Minister Sara Rubira emphasised that the government is working "to improve water infrastructure and support local governments, so that our municipalities are better prepared for torrential rains, thereby minimising risks and avoiding property and personal damage."

 

Maintenance work is also ongoing to protect at risk communities. The Segura Hydrographic Confederation is cleaning the D-7 drainage canal next to the Mar Menor, removing invasive vegetation from the 4-kilometre channel that helps divert runoff from Los Alcázares during heavy rainfall. The canal's water diversion capacity to the Albujón ravine was doubled in 2022.

 

 

Images: CARM/CHS