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Los Alcázares prepares for autumn rains with major works on key flood defence planned
The four-kilometre D7 channel intercepts rainwater runoff before it reaches Los Alcázares and carries it towards the Rambla del Albujón
When heavy rain arrives, water can build up quickly around the Mar Menor, putting roads, fields and built-up areas under pressure. That's why a four-kilometre drainage channel near Los Alcázares is about to get some much-needed attention, with work being lined up ahead of the autumn months.
The Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura (CHS) has awarded a €164,628.86 contract to Fortuna-based company Retamar Obras, Servicios y Medio Ambiente to clean and maintain the D7 drainage channel.
The channel might not be something most residents give much thought to during the year, but it has an important job when heavy rain arrives.
The channel referred to as D7 forms part of the area's flood defence infrastructure, intercepting rainwater running off the surrounding land before it can reach the built-up area of Los Alcázares. It then directs that water towards the Rambla del Albujón.
That makes keeping the channel clear particularly important as September and October approach, when the risk of torrential rainfall can increase across the Region.
Why does the channel need cleaning?
Like many drainage systems, the D7 gradually loses capacity as vegetation and other material build up inside it.
Cañas, or reeds, grow along the channel, particularly during periods of strong vegetation growth. Sediment and plant material can also be carried into the channel from agricultural areas.
All of this takes up valuable space and can restrict the flow of water. In a Region where very heavy rainfall can arrive in a short space of time, keeping that capacity available is an important part of maintaining the area's flood protection.
The newly awarded contract will cover the full four kilometres of the channel. Workers will clear vegetation from the banks and surrounding areas, remove reeds and invasive species, and clean out sediment and plant debris from the bottom.
The company will also carry out regular maintenance during the two-year contract, with particular attention before the periods considered to have the greatest risk of torrential rain.
There will also be scope for emergency intervention if the channel needs attention following an exceptional event, such as flooding or severe weather.
The work was put out to tender by the CHS in April with a starting budget of €211,306. Retamar was selected from six companies that submitted bids, with the final contract value considerably below that initial figure.
For residents of Los Alcázares and the Campo de Cartagena, it is one of those jobs that may go largely unnoticed when the weather is calm. Its importance becomes much clearer when the rain starts falling.
Images: Archive
Address
Avenida 13 de Octubre, 12, Los AlcazaresTel: 968 575756
Information for residents and visitors in Los Alcázares and Los Narejos
Despite being a relatively small municipality Los Alcázares relies to such a large extent on year-round tourism that it operates two tourist information offices, one in the town itself and the other in the seafront district of Los Narejos.
The fully qualified staff at both offices strive to provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your time in Los Alcázares, recommending places to visit, things to do and upcoming events in the area as well as practical help. The multitude of leaflets on offer will help you to fully enjoy the Costa Cálida and the Mar Menor!
Contact details:
Los Alcázares office
Avenida Trece de Octubre, 8, 30710 Los Alcázares, Murcia (click for map)
Open year-round weekdays 9.00 to 14.00.
Additional opening hours in summer during the afternoon, weekdays 17.00 to 19.00 and on Saturday and Sunday mornings 10.00 to 13.00.
Telephone: 968 575756
Email: turismo@losalcazares.es
Los Narejos office
Avenida Cartagena, esquina Calle Piscis (click for map)
Open on weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 throughout the year.
Telephone: 968 582119
Email: turismolosnarejos@losalcazares.es
