Not quite right, Semi, but almost. They have been on mains water but the company is garbage and has provided water which has been proved to be not suitable for drinking. Eventually, Aguagest have taken over the supply of water but, and here's the crunch, they are charging the residents for the supply and the replacement of water pipes. That means all the people in one part of Blue Lagoon (the top bit and not that bit under the arches) are being charged something like 700 euros just for the installation of water pipes which will provide drinkable water. Bit of a disgrace really as it should surely be up to the local council (I think they come under San Miguel as opposed to Orihuela Costa like the rest of El Galan) to provide a clean water supply. The previous company (name escapes me) are the ones who initially took the money for the supply of water to that area. I reckon they should be forced to pay back the money they took and pay Aguagest the cost of providing a decent water supply. I think that Bosque de Las Lomas 1 and 2 (apart from some flats which were built without proper planning permission) have been on mains water for some time and provided by Aguagest which have no problems at all. BDL3 are still in the unfortunate position of being supplied by TU for water and electricity, hence the cutting off of supplies on a regular basis due to unpaid bills. TU were also building at a place called Colina de los Lagos (it's on the road to Playa Flamenca from the AP7 motorway) but were forced to give up the land to pay off the mortgages they took out on the land at El Galan. Colina de los Lagos now has several shells of buildings started which will never be completed even though TU (through Atlas) took deposits from people who have been fighting for ages to get their money back. Some people were lucky (?) in that deposits were transferred to BDL3 properties also provided through Atlas and TU.
The real disgrace is that those people have been asked to pay Iberdrola (for electric) and Aguagest (for water) the amounts owing by TU before they will be transferred to mains supply. As this includes permanent residences, businesses such as the Chinese restaurant and others, means those people who only go over for a week or so a year are being asked to share tens of thousands of euros between them before the companies will provide proper meters. The council, in this case Orihuela Costa, will not provide LFO's or take over the official running of these areas until this is sorted or, nor will they pay off the arrears owed by TU. Total, utter disgrace which has been taken up by several euro MPs responsible for the are.
However, most parts of El Galan are OK and being served by the utility companies with the correct meters installed. Las Filipinas, Bosque de las Lomas 1&2 (less one street with flats), Blue Lagoon under the arches, Blue Hills and El Galan itself are all OK and have no problems.
You can, however, imagine the distress that has been caused to many people in the area. I have heard that court cases are pending against the builders and developers but this has been going over for over 6 years now. A lot of people are moving out because of these problems (freezers being off for several days, water that causes rashes let alone the harm it is doing to health, false promises from suppliers, builders and councils for a start) and I, for one, can't blame them. It is a real shame because the area is so nice but blighted by certain parts which are, literally, builders dumping grounds. If you search for posts by Fly380 on this site (and others) you will get a full history of the problems in this area (search for Colinas de Lago and Fly380). Fly380 has been a great advocate for bringing these problems to the forefront and has organised petitions and meetings to the local council but I feel he has come to the opinion that he is banging his head against a brick wall and is extremely frustrated with the way the councils appear to be washing their hands of the whole business.
I bought there (BDL2) back in 2002. 2 years ago I found out that I had no deeds to my property even though Atlas had told me (lied to me) that I was signing the deeds when I went before the notary. I have finally got my deeds on the property as TU were forced by the courts to pay off the mortgages they paid on the land but it has taken many visits to the solicitors, many letters and extra money to do this. This is why I advise anybody to take out a small mortgage on any property they buy (I was in the fortunate (?) position of being able to pay in full for my place there) as the banks will ensure all paperwork is correct before advancing money. All those in my street who had a mortgage got their deeds straight away. Those of us who paid cash have waited 6 years plus (and some still haven't got them despite the court orders) just to get the deeds.
Don't be put off by all this, though, if you are thinking of buying in the area. It really is a great place and is absolutely ideal for holiday visits. Ample bars and restaurants, great access to anywhere, close to beaches and golf courses, lots of shops and lovely people around the area. The residential committees have been let down by the developers with regards to landscaping etc but have done a great job in landscaping the swimming pool areas and public parks (which are still a bit scrubby but getting there). I have every admiration and respect for those permanent residents there who have struggled but have made the area a lovely place to visit.
Anyhoo - as they say, always end on a joke - Ryanair provides a great service at cheap prices (just put the "extras" down to experience)!!!!