Javea Grapevine 186 2016 Five | Page 76

Jávea sets up a “Water Observatory” This participatory body will provide inputs and feedback on water management June saw the inaugural meeting of Jávea’s “Water Observatory” - a committee of a “consultative, informative, advisory and recommendatory nature and for the promotion of initiatives relating to the supply, sanitation, purification and reuse of water in the municipality” This is the first such participatory body in Spain. It is composed of the Mayor as chairman, a vice Chairman and Secretary, representatives of each political group and AMJASA and 21 non-political members drawn drawn from different public sectors. See : Water Observatory - OAX for details of the composition and functions of the organisation. Luis Henarejos (Manager of Amjasa) explained the makeup and functions of the Observatory and described Xàbia’s water system, which consists of 600km of mains pipes - almost half of that of Valencia and twice the amount of Santander. Water sources included wells near Pedreguer and the desalination plant, which worked at full capacity during July and August last year, supply being helped by two August downpours. Comments from the floor included questions about tariffs (high, to enable annual investment of 3.3 million in 2015) and sewerage and waste-water disposal. The Observatory plenary session meets at least every six months, and meetings are open to the general public. From: Xabia al Día (Eds note: If anyone has ideas they would like to channel through the Observatory, please contact me. See: About this site and searching it ) https://youtu.be/mlqPHCzl5UU Above - Fishing Protest