The town of Pozuelo de Zarzón in Cáceres has had a drinking water supply system since the end of 2025 renewed and reinforcedFollowing the completion of works that involved a comprehensive overhaul of its water infrastructure, the project focused on ensuring a safer, more stable, and more efficient water supply for all residents of the municipality.
With an investment amounting to 571.529,35 Euros, co-financed through European funds SPRING Within the framework of the 2021-2027 Operational Programme, the project was developed throughout 2025, from January to December. The Regional Government of Extremadura promoted and implemented this improvement, which is now managed by the City Council as the entity responsible for the daily operation of the service.
A key action to strengthen the guarantee of supply
The main objective of the project has been increase the reliability and quality of drinking water which reaches the homes of Pozuelo de Zarzón, minimizing disruptions and improving the system's regulatory capacity. In a context where water management is becoming increasingly important, especially in rural areas, these works represent a significant leap forward for the municipality.
The tasks carried out are part of a broader strategy of the Regional Government of Extremadura to modernize the supply networks in various locations, with a special focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. In the specific case of Pozuelo de Zarzón, the infrastructure upgrade provides a more robust system to withstand potential droughts or peak consumption periods.
The intervention has not been limited to replacing old equipment, but has addressed the issue comprehensively. storage capacity, water pumping, and disinfectionThese are essential aspects for the service to function reliably. This comprehensive approach is what allows us to speak of a genuine improvement in supply, and not just a one-off action.
Furthermore, the fact that the project has been co-financed with European funds ERDF 2021-2027 This project fits within the European Union's cohesion policies, which aim to reduce territorial inequalities and improve basic services such as drinking water, especially in rural or less populated areas.
New elevated tank and improved regulation capacity
One of the most outstanding elements of the performance is the construction of a new elevated regulating tankdesigned to reinforce the system's capacity. This tank has a storage volume of 50 cubic meters and rises to the Meters 19,5This allows the difference in elevation to be used to ensure adequate pressure in the distribution network.
The commissioning of this new infrastructure allows the municipality to have a larger water reserve at high altitudeThis is key to coping with daily or occasional fluctuations in consumption, as well as ensuring supply during times when there may be incidents in the collection or distribution system. In this way, service stability is increased and the risk of outages is reduced.
Alongside the new reservoir, the conditioning of the existing regulating tankwhich is also part of the municipality's storage system. This project has allowed for the modernization of the facilities, improved their operation, and adaptation to current needs, while also extending the infrastructure's lifespan.
The combination of a newly constructed elevated reservoir with a renovated regulating reservoir offers the municipality a more flexible and secure storage network, capable of responding better to situations of high demand or variations in the flow supplied from the water's source points.
Modernized pumping and water quality control
Another key element of the project has been the installation of a pumping system consisting of three pumpsDesigned to ensure the transport of water from the intake points to the reservoirs and from there to the distribution network. The incorporation of several pumping units provides redundancy to the system, so that if one of them stops due to breakdown or maintenance, the other pumps can continue operating.
This configuration allows the operation of the pumps to be adjusted according to the actual flow and pressure requirementsThis improves both energy efficiency and service reliability. The ability to modulate the pumping action also allows for better use of the energy consumed and reduces equipment wear.
Regarding water quality, a chlorine dosing stationThis type of installation is designed to disinfect drinking water in a controlled and safe manner. It facilitates more precise treatment, adjusting the amount of disinfectant to the water's characteristics at any given time and complying with current health regulations.
Thanks to this dosing station, the municipality can to ensure that the water supplied meets potability standards established by Spanish and European regulations, thus reinforcing the protection of public health. The entire process is integrated into the overall supply system, ensuring that treatment and distribution are perfectly coordinated.
Energy efficiency: electrical installation with photovoltaic support
The modernization of the water supply in Pozuelo de Zarzón also incorporates a relevant component of Energy Efficiency Within the framework of the project, a new electrical installation to service the pumping equipment, control systems and other electromechanical elements related to the operation of the infrastructure.
As a complement to this installation, a photovoltaic support This helps cover part of the energy consumption associated with the supply system. This use of solar energy reduces dependence on the conventional electricity grid and lowers energy costs in the medium and long term.
The use of photovoltaic energy is in line with European and national policies that promote a transition towards more sustainable modelsespecially in essential public services such as the supply of drinking water. In this way, the project not only improves the service but also advances environmental sustainability.
This approach is especially relevant in rural areas, where municipal infrastructure often has limited resources and any energy savings This can free up funds for other local needs. In the case of Pozuelo de Zarzón, the combination of hydraulic modernization and energy efficiency strengthens the system's future viability.
Urbanization of the plot and auxiliary elements
In addition to the more visible work on tanks, pumps, and treatment systems, the project has included the enclosure and urbanization of the plot where the facilities are located. These tasks are essential to guarantee security, proper access, and the protection of equipment against external agents.
The perimeter enclosure contributes to prevent unauthorized access and potential acts of vandalism, while the urbanization facilitates maintenance and daily operations, allowing for more comfortable and safer movement of technical personnel. Aspects such as rainwater drainage and the layout of interior spaces have also been taken into account.
In addition, all the connections and necessary auxiliary elements to integrate the new infrastructure into the existing supply network: pipes, valves, control systems and other parts that ensure the correct overall functioning of the system.
This set of auxiliary actions, although less visible to the public, is key for the infrastructure to be able to to operate in a coordinated and reliable manneravoiding weak points that could cause incidents or performance losses in the network.
From the regional government to the city council: management and maintenance
Once the works have been completed and verified proper functioning of all facilitiesthe infrastructure has been transferred to Pozuelo de Zarzón Town Hall, which from now on assumes direct management of the drinking water supply system.
This transfer means that the city council becomes responsible for the operation and maintenance ordinary maintenance of the facilities, from the operation of the pumping equipment to the monitoring of water quality, including the maintenance of the tanks, the chlorination building and the rest of the associated elements.
Coordination between the Regional Government of Extremadura, which has promoted and financed the project, and the City Council, which is responsible for day-to-day management, is essential for guarantee the durability of the investment and that the improvements made are maintained over time. Proper maintenance will be key to preventing breakdowns, water leaks, or drops in performance.
With this new infrastructure now in the hands of the council, the municipality has a more solid technical base on which to base future improvements or expansions, if necessary, depending on demographic evolution or the demands of the population.
A project integrated into the Drinking Water Quality and Assurance Plan
The intervention in Pozuelo de Zarzón is part of the Extremadura Drinking Water Quality and Guarantee Plan, approved in January 2024. This regional plan aims to strengthen the region's water infrastructure, with special attention to the municipalities in the rural environment which, in many cases, have older systems or modernization needs.
Within this framework, the Regional Government of Extremadura has been promoting actions that combine Technical improvements, energy efficiency and health guarantee, taking advantage of European co-financing to undertake investments that would otherwise be very costly for local councils.
The case of Pozuelo de Zarzón illustrates how these projects contribute to to balance living conditions between urban and rural areas, ensuring that the population has access to quality basic services, such as a reliable and controlled supply of drinking water.
Overall, the modernization of the water supply in this municipality of Cáceres represents a example of institutional collaboration between the regional administration, the European Union and the local level, articulated around a common objective: to guarantee safe, stable drinking water managed with sustainability criteria.
With the works now completed, the new elevated tank, the renovated pumping system, the chlorination building and the photovoltaic support in operation, Pozuelo de Zarzón has a most modern, efficient and prepared drinking water supply system to meet the current and future needs of its inhabitants, while strengthening security of supply and the protection of public health.