Caballero Accuses Xunta of Misleading Water Crisis in Vigo
Abel Caballero, the mayor of Vigo, has raised serious concerns regarding the current water crisis affecting the city. He accused the Xunta de Galicia of downplaying the severity of the drought and suggested that their actions may lead to a significant water shortage.
Critical Water Supplies in Vigo
According to Caballero, Vigo currently has water reserves sufficient for only 100 days. He emphasized that the situation is alarming, especially compared to historical data. Presently, the water levels in the Eiras reservoir are lower than they were in 2017 when the city faced a similar crisis.
Allegations Against Xunta de Galicia
- Caballero labeled statements from Ángeles Vázquez, the regional Minister of Environment, as “false and misleading.”
- Vázquez claimed that water supply would remain stable even without rain until January.
- In contrast, Caballero criticized the Xunta for failing to take preventative measures.
Actions Taken by the City
The city government has implemented several measures to address the imminent water shortage:
- Construction of a new water purification facility.
- Water use restrictions that have been in place since August.
During this challenging time, Caballero highlighted that the neighboring municipality of Baiona, dependent on the Zamáns reservoir, is facing a critical situation. The mayor of Baiona has directly requested additional water from Vigo, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Drought Management Strategies
Caballero has called for a reduction in the ecological flow from the Eiras reservoir to conserve more water. He argues that the Xunta is sending mixed messages about the water supply situation, which could exacerbate the crisis. The mayor believes that their intent may be to encourage excessive water consumption, ultimately jeopardizing the city’s water resources.
In summary, the ongoing water crisis in Vigo has prompted serious allegations against the Xunta de Galicia regarding their handling of the situation. With limited water reserves and pressing community needs, local authorities are actively seeking solutions to avert a potentially catastrophic shortage.
