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Official safety advice released: What to do with showers and boilers now the drinking water has been turned back on
Residents are being urged to clean domestic water systems after supply restored in San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and Los Alcázares
After ten days of restrictions following the contamination of the water network during storm Alice, residents of San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and Los Alcázares are once again able to drink tap water.
However, the Regional Ministry of Health has advised households to carry out a series of cleaning and maintenance tasks to ensure their internal plumbing systems are safe and free from any residual impurities.
The Health Department issued eight key recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the quality of water in domestic installations, tanks and appliances after the reactivation of the public supply.
While the advice is not mandatory, authorities say it is strongly recommended to avoid potential health risks linked to sediment or mud that may have entered private systems when the main network was compromised.
One of the main suggestions is to replace any taps or showerheads that show signs of damage. The Ministry also advises residents to empty and thoroughly clean all water tanks used for human consumption.
Filters and diffusers from taps and showers should be removed and treated first with a water and vinegar solution or a suitable commercial cleaner.
If the materials withstand this process, a second disinfection step can be applied by soaking them in a mixture of one litre of water with ten drops of bleach for 30 minutes before reinstalling them.
Water heaters
Electric water heaters require particular attention. The Health Department recommends increasing the temperature to the highest possible setting and maintaining it for two hours.
Afterwards, the hot water taps and showers (without filters or diffusers) should be opened for at least five minutes to flush out the system. For instantaneous heaters, which do not store water, the same process should be followed to ensure the internal circuits are cleaned.
With the filters and diffusers still removed, cold water taps and showers should also be opened for at least five minutes to refresh the water in the household pipes. The same applies to any hoses used for cleaning or irrigation.
Other advice
Garden sprinkler systems also need to be flushed, according to the Ministry, as pipes may still contain traces of mud or contaminants. Officials advise running the system until clean water is flowing, keeping people and pets at a safe distance during the process.
While most residents in San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and Los Alcázares can now safely drink from the tap, several districts of Torre Pacheco and Murcia remain under restrictions.
In areas such as Roldán, Lo Ferro, Balsicas, El Jimenado and La Hortichuela, as well as residential developments including Las Terrazas de la Torre and Hacienda Riquelme, the water supply has been restored but is currently only suitable for personal hygiene and washing – not for drinking or cooking with still.
The Regional Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with local councils and the Taibilla Canals Association (MCT) to ensure that all affected areas regain a fully safe and stable water supply as soon as possible.
