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Águilas boosts flood defences with new water pumps
After the destruction of DANA this year in Valencia the government are preparing themselves for future storms by buying pumps
Councillor Jose Luis Moreno has announced that the Municipal Civil Protection Service in Águilas has invested in upgrading and improving the equipment used in emergency situations like storms, such as the DANA that devastated Valencia and claimed hundreds of lives back in October.
Following the DANA tragedy, it came to light that more than half a million residents of Murcia and Alicante live in flood-prone areas, and this has prompted the authorities in Águilas into action. The new equipment will serve to ensure the safety of the residents of the coastal town in case of an emergency flood.
The improvement to the equipment has come in the form of the acquisition of two pumps. One of the pumps would be used to pump out dirty water from flooded areas at a rate of 50,000 litres per hour. This kind of pump is extremely useful in the case of storms where mud has been disturbed by the flooding, and the water that is to be extracted is dirty water.
The second pump that has been bought by the Council to improve the safety of the area in case of a flood, is the type of pump that can be easily carried on a trailer. This piece of equipment is used to clear mud through a lance at 25 bars of pressure with a flow rate of 60,000 litres per hour. The clearance of mud and dirt is specifically useful in an emergency where water is rising as dirt and debris add to the difficulty of a rescue operation.
Last month, the local government unveiled the draft of its brand new ‘Flood Prevention Plan’. This project aims to carry out a comprehensive study of the watersheds that run through the historic old town of Águilas, with the aim of identifying and mitigating flood risks.
Crucially, the pumps can also be used to put out small forest fires, as per the municipality's INFOMUR plan, thanks to another water tank with a capacity of 1,000 litres which is connected to the pumps. This is especially important during the hot, dry summer months and is one small improvement that could save many lives.
The new purchases that the town of Águilas has made will go a long way to helping improve the safety of the citizens in case of a flood or a fire.
For more visiting information, local news and events go to the home page of Águilas Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de Águilas
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Tourist Information Office, Plaza de Antonio Cortijos, s/n. 30880-AguilasTel: 968 493 285
Oficina de Turismo de Águilas
Águilas boasts 28 kilometres of coastline, with many fine, sandy beaches, sheltered coves and unspoilt natural beaches. It is a great summer favourite with Spanish holidaymakers, so always has a superb programme of concerts and activities throughout the summer, as well as the biggest carnival in the Region of Murcia, 40 days before Semana Santa (Easter.)
Throughout the year it also has a number of museums and historical attractions, a castle with fabulous views overlooking the bay and several other points of interest, all of which make it an good place to visit for days out. Throughout the year the tourist office runs monthly guided tours and the route of the railways, which explores the railway history of the town.
The tourist information office is located in the Plaza de Antonio Cortijos, just a short walk from the sea front and Plaza de España, a cool, shaded space in which to enjoy a coffee.
More information about Águilas including beaches, what to see, what's on and tourist information can be found on ÁGUILAS TODAY
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