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Ojén: Paradise on the Costa del Sol

Ojén: Paradise on the Costa del Sol

The British newspaper The Times, in 2015 selected Ojén as one of the best cities in the world in which to live. The Marvellous climate, the peace and security of its streets and the very friendly local people are some of the characteristics of this village. This website is to inform all local residents and visitors, of all nationalities (in their own language), matters of local interest, local events, activities and places of interest.

There will be special emphasis on the wonderful walks in the area to enjoy the natural paradise in and around Ojén. The list of walks, with full details is growing continuously and can be found on this link.

The official Facebook page of the Ojén Town Hall contains lots of useful up-to-date information.


Water Shortage

16 May 2024
The Drought Management Commission of the Water Department of the Regional Government of Andalusia has approved this morning the transition from serious to severe shortages on the Western Costa del Sol, allowing the refilling of swimming pools and a maximum of 225 liters per inhabitant. and day.


New measures starting 1 June 2024

Marbella, May 15, 2024.- The Western Costa del Sol goes from a drought declaration with serious to severe shortages. This has been approved by the Drought Management Commission of the Junta de Andalucía that took place this morning, which will allow, with prior authorization, the filling of public pools, already approved, and of private pools. To this end, the public water management company, Acosol, requested an exceptional authorization to allow such filling as requested by the Board, at the request of the town councils of the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol. The new measures will come into force from June 1.

Until now, the region of the Western Costa del Sol was in a situation of exceptional drought and serious shortages following the order of the Drought Commission of the Government of Andalusia, published in the BOJA on October 30. After the rains obtained thanks to Storm Nelson and the subsequent runoffs that have meant that the Concepción reservoir reaches 43 hm3, which is almost 75% of its capacity, the Drought Commission has decreed the transition to severe shortage, which which changes the scenario for the Western Costa del Sol for this summer. Specifically, the increase in water contributions for urban use supply of 25 liters per inhabitant per day has been approved, so that a maximum of 225 liters of water consumption can be reached in the eleven municipalities of the Malaga system of the Western Costa del Sol (Benahavís, Benalmádena, Casares, Estepona, Fuengirola, Istán, Manilva, Marbella, Ojén, Torremolinos and Mijas).

Pool filling and exceptional irrigation

In relation to swimming pools, the Drought Commission has positively assessed the request for authorization to fill private swimming pools requested by Acosol together with the rest of the water operators in the province of Malaga. The Board has stated “the obligation for private swimming pools to have a water recirculation system that allows the use of the minimum essential amount of this resource to guarantee the sanitary quality of the water and to replace any losses that may occur due to evaporation or filter cleaning. Public swimming pools were already authorized by the previous Mediterranean Basin Drought Management Commission.

In relation to other uses of water resources, the increase in the maximum volume of water destined to irrigate green areas has been exceptionally authorized when there are species of special botanical interest and regenerated or groundwater water is not available following the application submitted by Acosol. Specifically, the Andalusian Mediterranean Basin Drought Management Commission has given the green light for this provision to increase from 200 m³ to 400 m³ per hectare and month to cover survival irrigation, but establishing a maximum of a single irrigation a week.

Finally, Acosol's request to allow showers in sports establishments and swimming pools, as well as the last two for people with reduced mobility on the beaches, has also been favorably reported. In addition, Acosol will continue working to see if it is possible to expand to other necessary uses.


The above changes update the following rules that were published on the 22 November 2023 in Spanish, by the Ojén Town Hall:

The Mayor makes it known:
The Junta de Andalucía has declared a situation of serious and exceptional water scarcity in the Western Costa del Sol System to which Ojén belongs, indicating that. In this scenario, water-saving plans will be activated with the objective of achieving at least a 20% reduction in urban supply (BOJA number 208 of October 30, 2023).

In general, it is requested from citizens, as well as those responsible for facilities, both public and private, that they make responsible, supportive and efficient use of water, reviewing possible leaks and applying all possible measures to avoid unnecessary consumption.

The measures that will come into force, immediately after the publication of this announcement, are the following:

  • Prohibition of irrigation of gardens, orchards, meadows, parks, or green and sports areas, public or private.
  • Prohibition of washing streets, sidewalks, or facades, public or private, except those authorized for health reasons. Under no circumstances will water suitable for human consumption be used for this purpose.
  • Prohibition of filling or refilling private swimming pools.
  • Prohibition of showers and public fountains.
  • Prohibition of car washing except in authorized establishments that have water recycling and recirculation systems.
  • Prohibition of using water from hydrants without express written authorization from the supplying entity or the City Council, except in cases of fire.
  • Sources for human consumption will be used exclusively for this use, and any other use will be restricted.

The Local Police may carry out surveillance and control tasks in compliance with the established measures and, if necessary, will inform this Mayor's Office of any offending conduct, which may be sanctioned with the corresponding fines according to the current legislation in each case.

This order will come into force the day after its publication on the municipal notice board and will have an indefinite duration until an order is issued that annuls it or the end of the drought situation is declared and may be complemented with new measures if the situation so requires. What is made public for general knowledge and for the appropriate purposes, we strongly request all citizens to collaborate for its compliance.

In Ojén on November 22, 2023.
Mayor
Juan Merino Marquez

Local Information

  • An interesting article about some of the interesting places in Ojén can be found in an article in Malaga Hoy newspaper (here in all languages)
  • If you are just looking for a coffee or tea and a truly delicious cake then I strongly recommend a visit to Patisserie Bio in Ojén
  • Some of the things to do in Ojén can be found on this link
  • Beautiful walks in our area can be found on this link
  • More information about Ojén, its history and things to see can be found on the visitcostadelsol website
  • There is also a page about the history of Ojén on this Málaga County Council page
  • You may be interested in the Málaga Homeowners View website which contains a lot of information about living in our area (around Ojén, Marbella, Istán, Elviria and Mijas), coping with bureaucracy and suggestions for leisure activities in the surrounding area.

Videos of Ojén on YouTube

This document was last updated 24 June 2024


© 2022 Graham G Hawker
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