Residents reassured that Marina Baja water supply secured after major transformer fire

Residents across Spain’s Costa Blanca have received reassurance that their drinking water supply will not be affected by a transformer fire in the Marina Baja area. The incident occurred early Monday morning when a 10-megawatt transformer at the Algar substation caught fire, causing significant damage to nearby electrical installations.

The Marina Baixa Water Consortium, responsible for managing the water supply, has confirmed that water service to municipalities and residents remains uninterrupted despite the incident. Engineers are currently exploring options to replace the damaged transformer as quickly as possible, with the fastest method involving the installation of an equivalent unit already in reserve.

However, this process will require a minimum shutdown period of five days due to the need for specialist connection work and replacement of damaged cables and components.

Another option involves repairing or replacing the existing transformer, but this method is expected to take considerably longer, up to two months. The consortium is actively working on both solutions while assessing the most efficient way to restore the damaged infrastructure. Despite the extensive damage, no personal injuries have been reported.

Officials are taking measures to minimize the time needed to restore the electrical system while maintaining reassurance over the region’s water supply. The consortium emphasizes that the drinking water supplies to the municipalities connected to the system are guaranteed, aiming to prevent unnecessary concern among residents following the overnight fire. The priority remains determining the most effective way to replace the damaged equipment and restore the infrastructure as swiftly as possible.