The City Council of Huesca issued an official notice on 30 October declaring water from the municipal supply in Apiés, Buñales and Tabernas del Isuela unfit for human consumption. The trigger was test results showing that the parameter Chlorate exceeded the limit permitted in Spain. The measure will remain in force until new samples confirm compliance with the requirements. Drinking tap water and using it to prepare food are prohibited in the three local supply networks until further notice.
The decision is based on the technical and health framework for drinking water in force in Spain. The Real Decreto 3/2023 sets, among other things, limits for disinfection by-products such as chlorate. The published version of the notice does not give specific readings. The Ayuntamiento de Huesca announced additional testing and ongoing updates for the affected population. The notice was published via the municipality’s Sede Electrónica.
Chlorate can occur in water pipes as a by-product of disinfection. If the limit is exceeded, public health regulations require immediate precautionary measures. These include temporarily restricting use for direct human consumption until the water quality once again meets the specified parameters. The city council says it is coordinating with the competent health authorities of the Autonomous Community of Aragon and is required to inform affected households, businesses and institutions without delay.
The classification applies only to the three named supply networks in the municipality of Huesca. The notice does not set out in detail how tap water may be used for other purposes; the current guidance from the authorities should be followed. The council advises people to check official updates and, if necessary, use bottled water while the restrictions remain in place.
Huesca publishes information on the quality of its supply networks in the national information system SINAC of the Ministry of Health. Water quality records there are assigned to the relevant network. Once new test results are available, the findings and any further measures will be announced. The city initially gave no indication of how long the ban would last. According to the authorities, the networks remain secure; the restriction is intended solely to rule out risks from drinking and cooking with the water.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).