The mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, has voiced his support for Nicolás Vázquez, who was appointed as the new environment minister of the Xunta, emphasising the critical need for the construction of the Eiras dam on the Oitavén River. This project, previously agreed upon by the Government, the Xunta, and the Concello (local council), aims to mitigate the drought episodes affecting the region.
Caballero stated, “I believe this is the time to make this essential decision for the entire territory” that relies on the Eiras water supply. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with the new minister to address the pressing issue of the dam's construction.
Highlighting the urgency, he noted that there is a widespread call in Vigo for infrastructure capable of handling severe drought conditions, which he described as “the most severe drought in the city’s history.” Currently, the Eiras dam is operating at just 36% of its capacity, creating a challenging situation for not only Vigo but also surrounding areas such as Cangas, Moaña, Redondela, Mos, O Porriño, Nigrán, and Baiona, all of which rely heavily on water supply for both residential and industrial use.
Caballero urged the new environment minister to take the water scarcity situation seriously, pointing out that the Eiras dam is insufficient for the needs of the metropolitan area. He also highlighted the importance of water quality in Vigo, attributing it to the construction of a new water treatment facility at Casal, developed through collaboration between the Spanish Government and the Concello. “This is what allows us to have high-quality water,” he emphasised.
