Residents of El Sexmo, Cartama, have been advised that the local water supply is no longer fit for drinking.
Due to the continued drought in the area, wells have become so low that nitrates have been detected in the water supply at levels above those considered to be the maximum recommended and therefore could pose a health threat.
Nitrates are salts and are part of the natural diet, but prolonged consumption of high doses could cause health problems, particularly for pregnant woman and young babies. Aqualia, the water company, will continue to supply water to homes in El Sexmo, but stress that it should not be used either for drinking or for food preparation. It can, however, be safely used for such things as washing clothes, showering or washing dishes.
Aqualia will be providing drinking water to the 1,200 affected residents by means of tankers until the situation can be resolved.