Malaga, a drought-stricken region, is revived after recent rains. Reservoirs have risen by over 10% and are now at levels not seen since the year 2023.

In the province of Malaga, there are more reservoirs than ever.

First time since spring of 2023, there are now more than 200 million litres in the province. 

This dramatic improvement is in stark contrast to the crisis of water that ravaged the region a year earlier, when the authorities were actively preparing for the importation of water by boat.

La Concepcion reservoir, which serves the Costa del Sol, stands nearly four-fifths full, approaching 45 million litres – or an 11.6% jump in just a week and nearly tripling in a year.

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Conde de Guadalhorce is only two-thirds filled, but has seen a 61% rise after the rains this week. 

Limonero and Guadalhorce barely moved at all, both at 31%. 

The Viñuela reservoir, the largest in Malaga, serving the Axarquía region, neither saw an increase, sitting at just 36 million litres – or only 22% of its total capacity.

Local water management specialists warn of ongoing challenges and stress that complete water security is still a distant dream.

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For urban water supply, the current reservoir levels could theoretically support a population of 3 million for an entire year –  a glimmer of hope for those who remember the tense water restrictions of recent years. 

This improvement is a result of a number of ongoing and planned projects in the infrastructure sector that will further stabilize the water resources within this region.

Upcoming initiatives include new wells in Bajo Guadalhorce, the expansion of the Marbella desalination plant, and ambitious plans for new desalination facilities in Vélez and Axarquía. 

The regional authorities are also moving forward with plans for new reservoirs at Río Grande and Gibralmedina, demonstrating a long-term commitment to water security.

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Meteorological predictions bring more good news with the prediction of continued rain in coming days. 

This is a welcome respite to local communities, even if it doesn’t mean the end of the drought. 

Twelve months ago, Malaga and Cartagena were preparing infrastructure for the importation of water by sea. 

The landscape is different today, although challenges still exist. 

However Malaga and the Axarquía regions still face severe and grave drought conditions as water management remains a critical concern for the region.