Coastal Spanish towns face service strain from summer population surges

Coastal municipalities in the Safor region, including Xeraco, Piles, Miramar, Daimús, and Guardamar de la Safor, are facing significant logistical challenges due to the high volume of second residences. This influx of seasonal residents causes the population to surge during summer months.

In Miramar, the population is estimated to rise from approximately 3,100 permanent residents to nearly 15,000 during July and August. This rapid increase places immense pressure on public services, leading to higher water consumption, increased waste generation, and greater demand for cleaning, security, and infrastructure maintenance.

Local leaders report that they lack sufficient resources to manage this seasonal expansion. Pilar Peiró, the mayor of Miramar, highlighted the difficulty in reinforcing the Local Police force, noting that the increase in traffic and public activity inevitably leads to more incidents and a higher need for law enforcement presence.