Residents and businesses across the Axarquia are finally getting relief after water restrictions imposed during the drought crisis have officially been lifted.

Public water company Axaragua confirmed that emergency measures introduced in May 2024 are no longer in force, after a sharp improvement in water reserves.

It follows one of the wettest winters in decades that saw weeks of non-stop rain across Andalucia.

A review by the regional drought committee has now declared the Viñuela-Axarquia system to be back to normal levels.

The La Viñuela reservoir currently holds around 148 cubic hectometres of water, well above the 97 threshold required for ‘normal’ conditions.

That means the end of strict rules that had shaped daily life for nearly a year.

During the peak of the crisis, authorities banned the filling of private and public swimming pools (unless they had recycling systems), shut off beach showers and footbaths, and restricted public drinking fountains. These bans are now lifted.

For coastal towns including Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Málaga, Algarrobo, Torrox and Nerja, it means beach showers and footbaths can return just in time for Semana Santa.

However, Axaragua president Jorge Martin warned that while the situation has improved significantly, residents must not become complacent after years of severe drought.

The restrictions, agreed with 31 municipalities at the height of the crisis, had a major impact – not just on households, but also on hotels, businesses and especially farmers, who were among the first to face water cuts.

Authorities are studying the possibility of using seawater for beach showers in the future, alongside ongoing investments in water treatment plants and a proposed desalination project.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.