The Costa Blanca is entering summer with reservoir levels dramatically improved following months of heavy rainfall, bringing relief after several years of drought concerns across Alicante province.

Water reserves are now significantly higher than during the recent drought crisis, easing fears over shortages ahead of the busy tourist season when millions of visitors are expected to arrive across the region.

Reservoir levels rise across Alicante Province

After two years of critically low reserves, rainfall since October has transformed water storage levels throughout much of the Costa Blanca.

Current reservoir levels are now around 58 per cent higher than this time last year and more than double the figures recorded during 2024, when prolonged drought conditions left several reservoirs close to historic lows.

According to water management experts, the improved reserves mean water supplies are fully guaranteed this summer despite increased seasonal demand from tourism, agriculture and local residents.

The province’s five main reservoirs are now holding a combined 168 hectometres of water, marking one of the strongest recoveries seen in recent years.

La Pedrera reservoir reaches highest levels in a decade

One of the most significant improvements has been recorded at La Pedrera reservoir in Orihuela, the largest reservoir in Alicante province.

Water levels there have reached figures not seen for more than ten years, largely due to increased transfers through the Tagus-Segura water system following heavy rainfall in central Spain earlier this year.

The Tagus-Segura transfer remains one of the most important water sources for south-east Spain, supplying water to parts of Alicante, Murcia and Almería.

Other Costa Blanca reservoirs recover strongly

Reservoirs, including Amadorio, Guadalest and Beniarrés, have also seen major improvements compared with last year’s drought conditions.

Beniarrés reservoir, which fell to critical levels during the height of the drought, is now approaching half capacity following the wetter winter and spring months.

Although authorities continue encouraging responsible water use, the sharp recovery has brought a far more positive outlook for the Costa Blanca heading into summer.

Seagate Wealth Management attended the recent A Place in the Sun expo at the ExCel in London where over four thousand people attended over the three days.

It was a phenomenal weekend meeting so many people looking to turn their dreams of relocating to Spain into reality. It was an absolute pleasure to connect with so many future expats, buyers and investors.

We would like to thank everyone who stopped by our stand and spoke with us. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the organisers who worked tirelessly to ensure a successful event.

As Financial Advisers supporting expats in Spain, we specialise in helping clients make informed decisions around investments, pension transfers, and long-term financial planning. The event was an opportunity for people to get the correct advice not only from us but the lawyers who attended and whom we work closely with here in the Costa Blanca.

Timing and financial planning are vital when considering a move to Spain, so the correct advice from experts is vitally important. Get it right the first time and avoid costly mistakes.

So, if you have questions about managing your finances before or after your move to Spain, our English-speaking advisers are here to guide you every step of the way.

https://www.seagatewealth.es/

The high-end culinary series ‘Tres miradas, un Mediterraneo’ concluded last night at il Palco restaurant, celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Las Colinas Golf and Country Club in Orihuela Costa. The final event, held under the theme ‘Italia Km Zero’, showcased a unique culinary dialogue between authentic Italian traditions and sustainable regional sourcing.

Italian gastronomic advisor Fabio Morisi partnered with resident chef Jose Dolera to create a bespoke tasting menu specifically for the occasion. The collaboration highlighted how traditional recipes maintain their historical identity when prepared using fresh local components from the Mediterranean coastline.

A menu built on heritage and sustainability

The multi-course meal presented diners with an array of carefully constructed dishes. The experience commenced with a smooth mascarpone cream paired with local garden vegetables, followed by a traditional pappa al pomodoro incorporating Cartagena field tomatoes, stracciatella, and Genovese pesto.

Subsequent courses introduced a fiore di carciofo featuring artichoke, guanciale, and Pecorino Romano, alongside a cappellaccio filled with white ragu, foie gras, morel mushrooms, and truffle-infused Kinara cheese.

Seafood elements also featured prominently in the menu. Chefs served a classic risotto alla Parmigiana using Parmigiano Reggiano and premium Denia red prawns. This was followed by an orata alla norma, which paired fresh sea bream with aubergine, Sicilian tomatoes, and ricotta salata.

The savoury selections finished with a traditional coda di bue alla vaccinara, an oxtail stew served with potato cream. For dessert, guests received a strawberry sorbet infused with Ferrari Maximum Rose and basil, followed by a classic Sicilian cannolo filled with sheep’s milk ricotta, dark chocolate, and pistachios. Each course was accompanied by a selection of DOC wines.

Fifteen years of culinary innovation

The evening represented the culmination of a deeply personal journey for the guest chef.

“When there is passion and craft, there are no borders,” Morisi explained. “In this unique environment, surrounded by a team of great professionals, we have managed to make Italy feel alive, close and authentic. For me, this experience is the culmination of a journey: bringing the essence of the Emilia-Romagna region to a sustainable concept where the product is king. We are good people because we cook with our memory set back, but we always look forward.”

Dolera added that the menu paid a heartfelt tribute to Mediterranean food culture by utilizing the highest quality local goods.

“In particular, last night we aimed to pay a heartfelt tribute to Mediterranean gastronomic culture with a menu that showed the best of Italian tradition with products from our territory of maximum freshness and quality,” Dolera assured. “And the result was an exclusive and memorable experience.”

This dinner concluded a three-month anniversary celebration at the resort. The series commenced in March with Ferdinando Bernardi, the head chef of Michelin-starred Casa Bernardi. The second event followed in April, featuring a joint menu by Dolera and Alejandro Ibanez, the chef of Barahonda, an establishment holding one Michelin star and two Repsol suns.

Gabriele Wuthrich, the Food and Beverage Director at the resort, reported excellent public feedback for the entire series. He stated that the success of these events encourages the team to continue introducing authentic dining experiences for international residents and visitors on the Costa Blanca.