Residents across Spain’s Costa Blanca have been reassured that their drinking water supply is guaranteed after a major fire damaged critical electrical infrastructure serving the Marina Baja, with engineers now working on replacement options.
The incident occurred at around 1.45am on Monday, October 12, at the Algar electrical substation, where a 10-megawatt transformer caught fire. The blaze also damaged nearby installations, leaving authorities assessing the full extent of the material damage and its potential consequences for the region.
The Marina Baixa Water Consortium has confirmed that supplies remain guaranteed despite the incident, offering reassurance to municipalities and residents who depend on the system for their drinking water.
Five-day shutdown considered for replacement
The consortium is exploring several ways to replace the damaged transformer as quickly as possible, with the fastest option involving the installation of an equivalent unit already held in reserve.
However, replacing the equipment will not be straightforward. Engineers must carry out specialist connection work and replace damaged cables and other affected components before the replacement can be brought into operation.
The consortium estimates that this option would require a minimum shutdown period of five days.
The transformer is a substantial piece of equipment, meaning the replacement process requires specialist work rather than a simple swap.
Officials are working to minimise the time needed to restore the damaged infrastructure while maintaining reassurance over the region’s water supply.
Longer repair option also underway
A second option involves repairing or replacing the existing transformer, although this route is expected to take considerably longer.
The consortium estimates that resolving the situation through this alternative would require at least two months. Work on this option is already progressing in parallel, allowing the organisation to pursue different solutions while assessing the best way forward.
The damage is considered significant, and its wider implications for the Marina Baja are still being evaluated.
Residents receive reassurance
Despite the scale of the incident, no personal injuries have been reported.
The consortium has stressed that drinking water supplies to the municipalities connected to the system remain guaranteed, seeking to prevent unnecessary concern among residents following the overnight fire.
The immediate priority is to determine the most effective way to replace the damaged equipment and restore the electrical infrastructure as quickly as possible.
Further work will depend on the technical requirements of the replacement and the extent of the damage identified during inspections.