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Altea City Council wins the legal battle for water in Altea Hills and Mascarat

The Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community supports the Council in the face of Apobersa's multi-million claim.

The Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community has closed a long conflict between the Altea City Council and the company Aguas Potables de Bernia SL -APOBERSA-, annulling the first instance ruling that forced the City Council to pay more than ten million euros to the company for the withdrawal of water service in the Altea Hills and Mascarat urbanisations. This was announced by the councillor for Infrastructure and Water Cycle, Aurora Serrat.

Serrat recalled that it all began in 2020, when the Municipal Assembly decided to intervene and directly assume water management in these areas, given the continuous complaints from residents about cuts, lack of potability and a network in critical condition. To which he added, "the pipes were showing serious losses and the investment by the company was non-existent. The City Council, forced to react to this unsustainable situation, chose to terminate the relationship with APOBERSA, a company inheriting the old supply rights of the promoter Puerto Deportivo Luis Campomanes SA, and take over the service.

"The decision soon led to a legal confrontation. APOBERSA, represented by businessman Luis Campomanes, claimed more than ten million euros for alleged rights and infrastructures. Initially, the Alicante Contentious Court ruled in its favor. However, the Valencian High Court has now revoked this ruling, endorsing the City Council's actions and considering that there is no right to compensation, beyond the residual value of some meters amounting to 15,000 euros." The councilor explained, pointing out that "in the meantime, the Council has had to assume the management of improvements of more than 3.5 million euros to guarantee supply. Investments that, paradoxically, have been contested by APOBERSA itself and some residents of Altea Hills."

In Serrat's words, "despite the Opposition, the Government team will continue working to restore decent basic services to private development projects, not only in Altea Hills and Mascarat, but also in other areas of the Serra."

“The conflict, which has lasted for years, puts on the table an increasingly common reality: the role of public administrations as guarantors of essential services where private concessionaires do not fulfill their responsibilities,” concluded Aurora Serrat.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Altea City Council wins the legal battle for water in Altea Hills and Mascarat

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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