Martorell backtracks and will only fine those who take more than 25 liters of water from municipal fountains

A step backwards for the Martorell City Council government. Last November, the executive formed by Junts and the PSC approved the prohibition of filling jugs with water from the municipality's public fountains To prevent residents without access to tap water at home from taking water for domestic use, the city government, led by councilor Xavier Fonollosa, has decided to scale back the measure following criticism from various organizations and the opposition, as well as intervention from the Ombudsman. The City Council will now only fine those who take more than 25 liters of water from municipal fountains. The municipal government will bring a modification to the ordinance prohibiting filling water jugs at public fountains to the plenary session in February. The original text was open for public comment for 30 business days, during which some twenty organizations from across the region submitted objections requesting the measure's withdrawal, arguing that it violates the human right to water. Fines of up to 750 euros were previously issued.

The text, originally approved in November with votes from Junts and the PSC, explicitly prohibited filling public fountains with water in "bottles, jugs, or any other container that allows for its storage." It also specified that violations would result in fines of between €100 and €750. Finally, Fonollosa confirmed that the City Council will not penalize residents until they exceed the 25-liter limit and that the amendment will be incorporated into the new wording of the civic ordinance. The new regulation will also stipulate fines of up to €750.