Mar Menor, water again flowing into the Marchamalo salt flats

Last week ecologists denounced that the salinas had virtually dried out

ANSE have announced that water has once again started to flow into the Salinas of Marchamalo, one of the last remaining salt flats in the Mar Menor area.

The environmental organisation say that operators from TRAGSA installed a high power pump on Tuesday at the request of the Department of Environment of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, and large volumes of saltwater are now rehydrating the salinas and restoring the natural habitats the environmentalists are so keen to protect.

Last week the environmentalists denounced the dehydrated conditions of the salinas and at the weekend took a pump into the area and started to pump in water themselves.

However, the salt flats are still private property, so police removed the volunteers.

Whilst the environmentalists have welcomed the re-hydration of the salt flats, they are still pressing to try and find a long-term solution which will enable the salinas to receive a permanent pump installation, as well as human resources to rehabilitate the area.

They say that the salinas need to return to an operational status, as they become blocked with sediment, and salted up if the salt is not removed, a process which they themselves are happy to participate in if an agreement can be reached.

But at least for the moment the salinas have been rehydrated and crisis, for the moment, averted.

Images:Before and after, ANSE