Adhesion of Monóvar and Sax

With the aim of increasing the capacity of the treatment plant of the community existing between Elda and Petrel "Petrel (Alicante)") and modernizing its facilities, the adhesion of the cities of Monóvar and Sax was essential.[4]​ Furthermore, in this way inter-municipal relations could be established through the community's own council with its own legal personality.

After the growth of the community, with four municipalities, it was renamed the Intermunicipal Mancomunidad del Valle del Vinalopó, although it is known as the Mancomunidad del Vinalopó. New functions were also established, such as the management of an animal shelter or transversal coordination for environmental measures.[5]​.

However, on several occasions public opinion has criticized it for not having clear responsibilities that could be assumed by the Valencian Community or the fact that Sax, belonging to another region, already participates in services and joint plans in the area of ​​Alto Vinalopó, leading to its presence being interpreted as a form of interference from Elda to favor its strategy regarding the use of water. It has also been criticized, because the four municipalities should increase their confidence in the entity to be competent in the cohesion of the industry, tourism or in the transportation of citizens through accessible bus lines between the three urban centers: the Elda-Petrel conurbation, Monóvar and Sax, which could connect with the Villena High Speed ​​station.[6]​.

Commonwealth of Elda, Petrel and its region

On Saturday, January 27, 1973, the “Intermunicipal Association of Elda, Petrel and its Region” was established for the first time after its creation was established by decree in the Official State Gazette on November 16, 1972.[3]​.

That day was unusual in the politics of the area because it symbolized an act of conciliation after several years of tension between the cities of Petrel "Petrel (Alicante)") and Elda, since on May 14, 1969, the day of the patron Saint Bonifacio, key in the Moors and Christians festivals of Petrel, the City Council of Elda offended the City Council of Petrel by requesting through the media a merger of both municipalities or, before the possible refusal, the annexation of one of the Petrel neighborhoods "Petrel (Alicante)").[3]​.

The civil governor of the Province of Alicante, Mariano Nicolás, met first; and the mayor of Petrel "Petrel (Alicante)"), Pedro Herrero, for the inauguration of a new food market in the city; and later they went to Elda, where they met together with its mayor, Antonio Porta, to sign the transfer of land for the town's first daycare center and, later, to establish for the first time the Commonwealth of Elda, Petrel and its region.

In addition, present were the deputy of the Cortes Generales for Alicante and general director of Tourist Companies and Activities, the president of the Alicante Provincial Council, the mayor of Alicante, the provincial head of the Inspection and Advisory Service of Local Corporations, the general secretary of the Civil Government, several mayors of other municipalities in the province and all the members of both local corporations.[3]​.

Its main objectives were, on the one hand, to adapt the uncontrolled urban growth of both cities through a general joint urban planning plan and, on the other hand, the creation of a treatment plant for both populations that would entail the modernization of part of the sewage system. Unfortunately, the first objective could not be met due to political confrontations, which is why currently certain peculiarities can be observed such as streets with unnecessary curves or streets that are obstructed by squares or schools.

Adhesion of Monóvar and Sax

With the aim of increasing the capacity of the treatment plant of the community existing between Elda and Petrel "Petrel (Alicante)") and modernizing its facilities, the adhesion of the cities of Monóvar and Sax was essential.[4]​ Furthermore, in this way inter-municipal relations could be established through the community's own council with its own legal personality.

After the growth of the community, with four municipalities, it was renamed the Intermunicipal Mancomunidad del Valle del Vinalopó, although it is known as the Mancomunidad del Vinalopó. New functions were also established, such as the management of an animal shelter or transversal coordination for environmental measures.[5]​.

However, on several occasions public opinion has criticized it for not having clear responsibilities that could be assumed by the Valencian Community or the fact that Sax, belonging to another region, already participates in services and joint plans in the area of ​​Alto Vinalopó, leading to its presence being interpreted as a form of interference from Elda to favor its strategy regarding the use of water. It has also been criticized, because the four municipalities should increase their confidence in the entity to be competent in the cohesion of the industry, tourism or in the transportation of citizens through accessible bus lines between the three urban centers: the Elda-Petrel conurbation, Monóvar and Sax, which could connect with the Villena High Speed ​​station.[6]​.