A Broken Pipe, Two Years of Inaction
For nearly two years, residents of a street in Planas del Rey have been living in intolerable conditions: a domestic sewage pipe, damaged in several places, allows foul wastewater to flow directly into the street. This issue, which should have been urgently addressed by local authorities, has been completely ignored to this day.
A Threat to Public Health
This is not a mere inconvenience. It is a matter of public health. Wastewater from homes spills daily into the open air, releasing foul odors and creating an unsanitary environment. Children live in this urbanization. Birds drink from this contaminated water. Must we wait for a health crisis before anything is done?
Residents Left to Fend for Themselves
In early 2024, some residents of Magnolia Street decided to take matters into their own hands, in the absence of any help from the municipality. At their own expense, they hired a professional drainage company. During the operation, all kinds of waste were found clogging the pipe. Sadly, this community effort was not enough: just a few weeks later, the pipe became blocked again.
The Impact of Neglected Public Infrastructure
This recurring problem is largely due to the widespread neglect of public roads and infrastructure. Without proper maintenance, tree roots—unchecked—break through underground pipes, further worsening the situation. It is a vicious cycle, fueled by municipal indifference, that subjects residents to constant inconvenience and serious health risks.
Planas del Rey: An Abandoned Urbanization
This daily disaster is part of a broader issue: the widespread neglect of Planas del Rey. This urbanization, located within the municipality of Pratdip in Catalonia, is consistently denied municipal maintenance. The town hall claims that the urbanization was never “formally accepted” by the municipality, and therefore refuses any responsibility. But this administrative excuse does not hold up against a clear legal reality: the streets, infrastructure, and green spaces are officially registered as municipal property in the land registry of Falset.
An Unacceptable Political Response
We, the residents of Planas del Rey, have reached out to the current mayor, Mrs. Carrillo, to express the urgency of the situation and its direct impact on our health and environment. Her answer? “There’s nothing I can do.” How is that acceptable, when public safety, hygiene, and citizens’ fundamental rights are at stake?
We Demand Action
This municipal inaction is a blatant sign of contempt for the residents of a neighborhood that—though marginalized—pays its taxes (IBI) and is merely asking for the right to live with dignity.
We can no longer afford to wait. We must raise our voices, alert higher authorities, engage the media, and call those in power to account.
Planas del Rey Deserves Better!
We are not asking for the impossible—only that life in Planas del Rey be dignified, healthy, and respected.
JM Delchef
