Following the water cuts with repetition which took place these last days and with the obstinacy of the town hall of Pratdip not to want to assume these responsibilities, we have contacted various Catalan media outlets.
Interview of M. Oscar Serrano and the Mayor of Pratdip directed by Radio Catalunya
Residents of Planes del Rei, in Pratdip, denounce seven days without running water at home
They believe the town hall is ignoring the issue, and some have filed complaints with the Mossos d’Esquadra
The urbanisation of Planes del Rei, in Pratdip (Baix Camp), has been without drinking water since December 31. This is what residents are denouncing, claiming that the town hall is neglecting the problem, citing a technical failure in the installations, while justifying its inaction by arguing that the urbanisation is private. The residents, however, point out that they pay their water bills directly to the town hall.
“The mayor only issued a decree – presented on Wednesday – in which he explains that he has asked the company to do whatever it takes to restore our water supply,” said Òscar Serrano, one of the affected residents, to ACN news agency. He states that the mayor continues to insist that the repairs must be paid for by the property owners.
The incident has affected around 190 households, right in the middle of the New Year and Epiphany period, when many were hosting visiting family members. “We can’t bathe, do laundry, or cook,” lamented Serrano, adding that some residents filed complaints on Tuesday with the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia’s regional police).
Serrano added that some people had to leave their homes to stay with relatives in other towns because “they just couldn’t take it anymore” after seven days without drinking water, except for a few brief moments of supply. Residents also criticised the fact that no technical team had yet come to fix the system and that no alternative solution, such as a water truck, had been provided.
The affected homeowners stress that they pay their water bills to the town hall, including maintenance and repair charges. Serrano explained that there is currently debate about whether the pumps are old or new, but in his view, “that doesn’t matter” because the town hall is responsible: “It has to be paid for, end of story.”
“We pay a lot of taxes every year, and the monthly water fee already covers this,” he added.
He also expressed dismay at the seriousness of the situation, especially considering that Pratdip is one of the municipalities with the most water: “Water flows through the ravines and gushes from the springs — not having any at home due to a technical fault, when the town hall bears full responsibility, is unacceptable.”
On Saturday afternoon, residents gathered to publicly denounce the situation.
