In the wake of Catalonia’s worst recorded drought, tighter water restrictions came into effect on Wednesday, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the region’s water supply. Authorities in Catalonia have issued a warning that Barcelona, one of Spain’s major cities, may need to resort to shipping in fresh water by boat in the coming months.
The severity of the drought is underscored by the fact that reservoirs supplying water to approximately 6 million people in Catalonia, including Barcelona, are now filled to a mere 18% of their capacity. This stands in stark contrast to the overall water levels in Spain, which are at 43% of their total capacity.
Experts and Spanish authorities attribute the prolonged drought in Catalonia to the adverse effects of climate change, leading to increasingly hot and dry weather conditions. Barcelona has been grappling with water scarcity, relying on Europe’s largest desalination plant for drinking water and a sewage treatment and purification plant to compensate for diminishing water from wells and rivers.
Catalonia has officially entered the “pre-emergency” phase for drought, prompting a reduction in daily water usage per person from 230 to 210 liters (60 to 55 gallons). This includes both personal consumption and municipal services per inhabitant. The average person in Catalonia currently consumes 116 liters (30 gallons) per day for domestic use.
As part of the new restrictions, municipal governments are prohibited from using drinking water for street cleaning or watering lawns. Water usage limits in industry and agriculture have also been increased.
The situation could escalate further if water reserves drop below 16% capacity. In such a scenario, Catalonia would declare a full-blown drought “emergency,” limiting water usage to 200 liters (52 gallons) per person and potentially reducing it further to 160 liters (42 gallons) per person. All irrigation in agriculture would require prior approval.
Authorities have issued a stark warning that the drought “emergency” may be just weeks away unless substantial rainfall occurs. Should the situation persist, Barcelona might need water tankers to ensure a stable supply. This drastic measure was last employed in 2008 during a previous drought.
Catalonia’s regional president, Pere Aragonès, emphasized the need for preparedness for all possible scenarios. During a trip to South Korea on Wednesday, Aragonès stated, “Unfortunately, we have to be prepared for every scenario, and we are close to needing boats to bring in water if the situation that we have seen over the past months continues.” He also mentioned ongoing collaboration with Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition to ready the region for the potential deployment of water tankers. Aragonès expressed a preference for sourcing water for southern Catalonia, where the Ebro River meets the Mediterranean Sea. The gravity of the situation underscores the pressing need for concerted efforts to address water scarcity and the looming threat of an impending emergency.
(Source: Joseph Wilson | Associated Press | Euronews)
