Ferrol and six other towns lower night-time water pressure over drought at As Forcadas reservoir

The Mancomunidade de Concellos da Comarca de Ferrol, the association of municipalities around Ferrol, approved on Monday a water-saving plan over the drought affecting the As Forcadas reservoir, which supplies some 140,000 residents of Ferrol, Narón, Fene, Ares, Mugardos, Valdoviño and Neda, according to the body's statement as reported by G24 and COPE. The reservoir stood on Monday at 26.15 % of capacity, below the historical average for this date.

The plan bans non-priority uses with immediate effect: watering gardens, hosing down streets, filling swimming pools, ornamental fountains, washing vehicles outside specialised businesses and cleaning outdoor spaces. In addition, the network will run at lower pressure in homes and businesses between 22:00 and 07:00. According to Europa Press, that night-time reduction applies from this Tuesday.

The mayor of Ferrol and president of the Mancomunidade, José Manuel Rey Varela, said on Tuesday that the area has had almost no rain since March and that none of the measures involves supply cuts, according to Europa Press. The seven municipalities will set up a technical coordination group that will meet every week.

The Mancomunidade also plans to repair the As Pías pipeline, which is leaking, with funding from Augas de Galicia and the support it is seeking from the Diputación de A Coruña, the provincial council. The restrictions will be lifted once a change in the reservoir's situation is confirmed, according to the body, which has not set a date.