In the history of Elx, the supply of drinking water, but also for irrigation, has been a chronic problem. The only resource available is that from the Vinalopó, but its water has never been suitable for human consumption due to its low flow and high salinity.
TRACES OF WATER
- Neolithic settlers: small communities in areas close to water sources, especially along the Vinalopó river.
- Iberian period: archaeological evidence points to the consumption and storage of water.
- Roman period: the colony of Iulia Ilici Augusta had a system of drinking water pipes, sanitation and social facilities, such as thermal baths.
- Ancient Andalusian city of Elche (Madīnat Ilš): ‘for drinking, the inhabitants are forced to bring rainwater from other places, which they store in reservoirs’ (Al-Idrisi, Nuzhat al-muxtàq fi ijtiràq al-afaq, circa 1150).
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
In the 18th century, Elche experienced a significant increase in population, mainly due to agricultural expansion. However, water supply continued to be subject to traditional storage practices.
After several failed attempts to bring water from other territories, it was not until the end of the century that the city’s dream of having drinking water became a reality. The Barrenas spring, a water source in Aspe, was acquired and a large 16 km infrastructure was built, overcoming the uneven terrain with pipes and aqueducts.
The water finally reached Elche on 29 September 1789. It was delivered to a fountain installed in the Plaza de la Merced for the use of the residents, thanks to a project promoted by Bishop José Tormo.
JOSÉ TORMO (1721-1790)
Bishop of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante.
He promoted the supply of drinking water from Aspe and the construction of the first public fountains in Elche.
WATER, SOURCE OF LIFE AND…
Over time, the supply became insufficient. This, combined with inadequate hygiene measures, led to outbreaks of cholera in 1834, 1854-55 and 1859, transmitted through contaminated water. Deaths were concentrated in the summer, when the heat facilitated the spread of disease. The last crisis occurred in 1884-1885 with the cholera “pandemic” that affected the entire Mediterranean coast of the country.
MODERNISATION OF SERVICES
Several projects attempted to solve the problem of drinking water supply in Elche:
- El Planet (1885): a spring located between Altabix and Vallongas, which failed due to a lack of municipal interest.
- La Alcoraya (1901): from the municipality of Alicante, the English company The Elche Waterworks C.º Ltd began to channel water. On 15 August 1901, the first fountain was inaugurated in the Plaza de la Merced. However, some wealthy families enjoyed home delivery, which the company maintained until 1958.
- Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (1958): a water supply system that provided domestic water to the population.
Alongside the modernisation of the drinking water supply, work began on paving the streets and constructing sewerage and sanitation networks, which was essential for improving public health.
‘It is a pity that in such a beautiful town, there are so few springs of pure water to quench the thirst of its inhabitants! Should we blame the inhabitants themselves for this lack? Not at all: we are well aware of the sacrifices they made to achieve the good that they did not have and still do not have today!’.
(Pascual Orozco Sánchez in Manual Geográfico Estadístico de la Provincia de Alicante, 1878)
The arrival of the railway in Elche in 1884 marked the beginning of an industrialisation process that boosted the population and shaped the contemporary city. However, this did not lead to the modernisation of services, which did not occur until the mid-20th century.
In 1900, the average life expectancy in Elche was less than 60 years, while 28 % of children died before reaching the age of 5.
Today, Aigües i Sanejament d’Elx, S.A. is the company responsible for the entire water cycle in the municipality of Elche. It is 51 % owned by the Elche City Council and 49 % by Veolia.
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CONSUMPTION AND REUSE
Currently, the problem is making the population aware of the need to use water wisely and consider its consumption. Water is a scarce resource that must be preserved and managed responsibly.
Collection, purification, distribution, consumption, treatment, reuse, return to the environment… all form part of the integral water cycle. An example of its sustainability is Clot de Galvany, a municipal nature reserve consisting of two artificial ponds and a central natural lagoon, which maintains a constant water level throughout the year thanks to the incorporation of reclaimed water. A water supply of 600,000 m3/year comes from the Arenales del Sol Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Ensuring optimal conditions in this natural enclave is essential for the development of different species, which are a source of great biodiversity.
