Since at least 2017, residents of Los Chopos have been unable to drink tap water due to the presence of nitrates, which have sometimes reached 50 mg/liter, the maximum limit allowed by Spanish and European regulations. This issue has persisted despite an unusual demographic growth in the village, which has increased from about 20 inhabitants 25 years ago to around 50 today.
“"We have to drink bottled water, and there are also cuts, and here there are young people, elderly people, and families."
The situation has caused significant inconvenience for residents, who receive weekly bottled water from the Town Council. David Romero, a local resident, expressed his frustration, noting how the problem has even impacted his economic activity, forcing him to close a rural guesthouse he managed. Nitrate measurements have varied over the years, recording 48 mg/liter in 2025 and reaching the 50 mg/l limit in 2024.
The mayor of Castillo de Locubín, Cristóbal Rodríguez, has announced that a solution is underway. A new water catchment has been established, and pumps will be installed thanks to an emergency subsidy from the Jaén Provincial Council. These works, already tendered, are expected to resolve the problem in the coming months. In the meantime, the free supply of bottled water for human consumption will continue.
In addition to nitrates, water cuts are another recurring challenge. Some residents, like David Romero, have had to implement their own solutions, such as installing pressure groups and tanks, to ensure basic household functions. The community of Los Chopos, which has seen an increase in population, considers it unacceptable to live in the 21st century without access to potable tap water, a situation they attribute to neglect and deterioration of basic services.
