The city of Alcalá de Henares is gradually returning to normal water supply after two days of interruptions caused by a breakdown in the infrastructure of the Mancomunidad de Aguas del Sorbe, located in Yunquera de Henares. Mayor Judith Piquet described the incident as an “unprecedented” event in the 55-year history of the organization.
“"These were unprecedented incidents. In 55 years, the supply had never had to be cut."
The mayor emphasized the dedication of the technicians responsible for the repair, who worked continuously for approximately 40 hours to resolve the breakdown and allow for the gradual restoration of service. The full restoration is being carried out progressively due to the network's configuration, with Alcalá being one of the last municipalities to normalize the situation as it is located “downstream” from other towns such as Cabanillas, Fontanar, Azuqueca, or Guadalajara.
Despite the general recovery, some buildings, especially taller ones, are still experiencing pressure problems or the presence of sediment in the water. The City Council has assured that the water is “totally potable,” although in some areas it may appear cloudy due to accumulated sediment in the pipes, recommending letting the water run until it regains its usual clarity. Aguas de Alcalá continues to work on pressurizing the network to guarantee supply in elevated areas such as El Olivar.
Mayor Piquet expressed her gratitude to the Canal de Isabel II for its support, which included supplying nearly 200,000 liters of water via tanker trucks and bottled water distribution. She also acknowledged the work of municipal employees, the Local Police, Civil Protection, and volunteers who participated in the operation. She highlighted the “exemplary and model” behavior of the residents of Alcalá de Henares in the face of difficulties.
Regarding the economic impact, Piquet acknowledged that the cut affected businesses and companies, some of which had to cease operations. The assessment of damages will be carried out by the business sector, which will submit its valuations to the relevant associations. For her part, Laly Escudero, president of the Henares Business Association (AEDHE), described the problem as “tremendous but resolved,” although she stressed the need to analyze what happened to prevent future incidents and quantify the “millionaire losses” in key sectors such as industry, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and commerce.
