Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Wildfire Ash Runoff Leaves Valdeorras With Drinking-Water Crisis as Galicia Seeks Urgent Miño-Sil Meeting

Residents report intermittent cuts, with local leaders saying the response remains too slow to secure safe supply.

Overview

  • Galicia’s government asked for an immediate coordination meeting with the state Miño-Sil river basin authority to address ash and sediment entering capture points after October rains.
  • The Spanish government says it is acting within its remit, citing 12 Tragsa brigades working in Ourense and a €3 million investment to limit post-fire runoff.
  • Valdeorras mayors from A Rúa, Petín and Vilamartín said both administrations reacted late and offered few concrete fixes, as utilities shut intakes when turbidity surges.
  • The Xunta detailed measures under its competence, including anti-contamination barriers, vegetative filters, mulching on about 200 hectares and a volunteer plan with more than 400 people, plus recent works on 11 km of forest tracks in Toques and 4.7 km along the Sandión river.
  • The Xunta argues riverbeds and the five-meter servitude strip are state responsibilities, while Madrid says mountain cleaning and prevention fall exclusively to the regional government; the Ministry of Agriculture also reported €27.8 million in aid to 9,000 producers.