Water restrictions continue across towns in the Mar Menor region following contamination from Storm Alice. Authorities have warned that drinking water may not be restored until midweek. Although the Taibilla Canals Association has restored supplies across affected areas, the water is currently only safe for non-consumptive uses such as flushing toilets and personal hygiene. This ban impacts over one hundred thousand residents, introduced after intense rainfall flooded the Region of Murcia and damaged infrastructure managed by the Taibilla Canals Association.

Despite normal water pressure being restored in most areas, officials expect the restrictions to remain until at least Wednesday or Thursday, pending the outcome of microbiological analyses conducted by the Regional Ministry of Health. These tests typically take around seventy-two hours to certify that the contamination has been cleared. The Taibilla Canals Association has not provided an exact timeframe for restoring normal service, but sources indicate that teams are working to expedite the testing process.

Once the results confirm the water’s suitability for consumption, municipal water management companies will be notified immediately, allowing local councils to lift the restrictions. Over the weekend, there was a slight improvement as water was deemed safe for washing and showering, leading to shorter queues at emergency water distribution points compared to the previous week.

In a related development, scientists express concerns regarding the environmental impacts following the storm. Experts from the Belich Project, associated with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, have recorded a noticeable increase in chlorophyll levels in the Mar Menor after the recent weather event. Meanwhile, Los Alcázares, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, continues to seek compensation to cover damages suffered by residents and businesses.