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Can you build your own water system in Andalusia?

Yes — provided you have a good dose of Dutch stubbornness, a Spanish cellar and a 100-kilo filter tank at hand. Plus a neighbour willing to help with the lifting.

Our old system: a museum piece with a hint of chlorine

Some people collect art; we had a water system from the 1990s. Scaled up, half disconnected and, by Spanish standards, perfectly fine — as long as you added a generous splash of chlorine. Drinkable? Officially, yes. Tasty? Only if you enjoy pool water.

Spanish logic: if it can be repaired, it’s good enough

A broken expansion tank? Just remove it. A pump that keeps shutting off? Stick in a screw, block the switch and carry on. Spanish craftsmen are geniuses at fixing things, but thinking in terms of “how could this be better” seems like a different profession here. And to be fair, our Spanish doesn’t help. The more specific the instructions, the better the result — but long-term vision? That was something Feiko had to source elsewhere.

Feiko the accidental water expert

So he decided to do it differently: get advice from the Netherlands. There, he received an actual plan — complete with manuals that would make Ikea jealous. The result: pallets of parts arrived in May. A friend helped carry the two-metre filter tank into the cellar. And now, this September, it’s time: Feiko is installing everything himself. No experience, but plenty of determination (and a few extra YouTube videos up his sleeve).

The new system — in plain language

No more chlorine, but a purification setup that means business:

• A pump that brings up water from our own spring.

• A 100-kilo filter tank that catches everything you don’t want in your glass.

• A UV filter that kills bacteria without chemicals.

Or as Feiko likes to say: “Soon we’ll have spa-blue water straight from our cellar.”

Why this matters to us

Water isn’t a given here. In our rural area there’s no connection to the mains. So having our own spring isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. But what feels truly special is that we’ll soon serve our guests a glass of crystal-clear water — drawn from the ground beneath our feet. For us, that’s more than technology: it’s peace of mind. Simplicity, right down to the glass.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is tap water in Andalusia drinkable?
Yes, officially — according to the Spanish government, 100% of mains water is safe Wikipedia – Water supply and sanitation in Spain. But we are not connected to that network. Our water comes from our own spring. With filtration and a UV system, it becomes just as safe — and tastes much better.

2. Why use a UV filter?
A UV filter kills bacteria without chemicals. This preserves the natural flavour of the spring water and means we don’t need chlorine.

3. Can I install something similar at home?
Yes. In the Netherlands and Belgium, comparable systems exist for rainwater or well water. UV filtration is becoming increasingly common to make water suitable for drinking.

4. How heavy is such a filter?
Around 100 kilos — just ask the friends who helped us carry it. The tank was so large it barely fit down into the cellar. Thankfully, you only have to move it once.

With a mix of Spanish practicality and Dutch stubbornness, we’re replacing our old water system with a modern filter and UV setup. The result: clean, safe and great-tasting drinking water from our own spring — ready for our guests.

Thank you for reading this far — it truly means a lot.
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Hasta luego from Andalusia,
Danielle | Cortijo La Vista