€175m EU Funding Secured for Western Costa del Sol Water A landmark funding deal by the European Investment Bank will overhaul water networks, treatment plants, and desalination across eleven coastal municipalities. Securing the Coast's Water Future In a decisive step towards safeguarding southern Spain against chronic climate challenges, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a comprehensive €175 million financing package for Acosol, the public water operator serving the Western Costa del Sol. An initial tranche of €75 million has already been formally signed, paving the way for immediate engineering works aimed at securing domestic supplies and combating recurring droughts. The investment covers eleven municipalities stretching across Málaga province, home to around one million permanent residents—a figure that swells past 1.4 million during the height of the summer holiday season. For international residents and holidaymakers alike, the programme aims to put an end to recurring water restrictions by modernising aging distribution networks that have long suffered from leaks and marine infiltration. Overhauling Aging Pipelines and Treatment Facilities Under the multi-year plan, engineers will rehabilitate over 30 kilometres of drinking water mains and replace more than 20 kilometres of deteriorating sewer collectors prone to seawater ingress. Critical production nodes will also see significant overhauls: a new service reservoir will be constructed at the Río Verde water treatment facility, and reclaimed water pipe networks will be expanded to supply community gardens, agriculture, and local golf courses. Sustainability forms a core pillar of the scheme. Upgrades at the key desalination plant in Marbella will incorporate dedicated renewable energy installations for self-consumption, directly reducing the operating costs and carbon footprint of emergency water production during dry spells. What It Means for Local Communities For households and urbanisation communities from Torremolinos down towards Manilva, this extensive overhaul underpins long-term water resilience. While the bulk of the engineering will occur at distribution plants and major trunk mains, municipal councils are coordinating scheduled road and verge works to minimise disruption to daily traffic. The wider €348 million strategic framework by Acosol marks one of the most ambitious utilities modernisations in Andalusia's recent history, ensuring the coast remains resilient for years to come.