Valdepeñas is implementing an innovative system that aims to consolidate the reduction of water loss in the municipal water supply network. An initiative that involves the digital monitoring of distribution networks, source intakes, and reservoirs, as well as the installation of leak pre-locators.
The Deputy Mayor of Environment, Gregorio Sánchez, has explained that the initiative is «a unique and differentiated project compared to other municipalities» that is part of the ‘RealWater: Digitizing water. Connecting the future of Ciudad Real’ project, with a budget of 740,000 euros and financed by the City Council and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition with NextGenerationEU funds.
The councilor in charge of the Environment area specified that the digital monitoring actions aim to prevent and reduce water loss from the supply network, in addition to controlling the quality of the source intakes and reservoirs. It also includes leak pre-locators, as well as the installation of digital remote reading meters for people over 75 years of age or over 65 years of age enrolled in the telecare service, to avoid excessive consumption due to breakdowns or oversights.
Continue saving
On the other hand, he emphasized the importance of saving and managing the water resources we have, which have increased due to the rains of recent weeks, making the past month the third rainiest March in Valdepeñas since 2007. Currently, the Fresnedas reservoir is at 100% capacity, with 19 cubic hectometers, and La Cabezuela at 9.30% with 4 cubic hectometers, guaranteeing water in the municipality for 7 years.
In this regard, he recalled that «in the province, we have been the only administration and government that has requested the modification of transfer rules, not forgetting the Manchegan Plain pipeline as the main solution to the water needs of La Cabezuela. No one, not social organizations that defend the land, agriculture, against depopulation, nor other political parties or the council, has done so.»
Finally, Gregorio Sánchez added that the City Council has requested another project for the Improvement and Digitalization of the Drainage System for Flood Resilience and Environmental Sustainability in Valdepeñas, with a budget of 766,000 euros. This is a project for defense against extreme phenomena, such as floods, but also to reduce discharges, control the efficiency of green area irrigation, and promote the use of reclaimed water, especially protecting underground water sources.