For months, a water leak at the Ermita de la Salut in Tarragona has been affecting several homes, leading to a dispute between residents and the Municipal Mixed Water Company of Tarragona (Ematsa). The water loss occurs near the meter bank and has already caused dampness in one property.
According to residents, the issue began as a small seep that has worsened over time. Despite complaints filed with the company, no solution has been found, and water continues to be lost daily, a fact residents particularly lament during the summer season.
“"The meter bank is considered an internal installation. Therefore, the responsibility for its maintenance, conservation, and repair in case of a breakdown lies with the user."
Ematsa argues that, according to Tarragona's municipal water service regulations, the meter bank is classified as an internal installation, making users responsible for its repair. Residents, while willing to cover the costs, insist that the company should manage the intervention due to their lack of technical means.
This situation also impacts ongoing construction in the new neighborhood of les Parcel·les Iborra, as the leak is located in the meter area. Although the builders' planned solution will be temporary and not their responsibility, the problem could pose an inconvenience.
The dispute remains at an impasse, with Ematsa assigning responsibility to residents based on ordinance article 17, while residents demand the company manage the repair despite their willingness to pay. The temporary measures by the construction company will not definitively resolve the leak without an agreement.
