Water restrictions introduced in 24 municipalities due to ongoing drought

The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) has announced water restrictions in 24 municipalities, introducing more measures against the drought in the northern county of Alt Empordà and in Baix Camp in the south. 

The ACA declared a water emergency at the Fluvià-Muga aquifer in Alt Empordà, and the reservoir of Riudecanyes in Baix Camp.

This decision is a result of the ongoing drought in Catalonia. 

"During these [last] months, it has not rained the same amount in all parts of Catalonia, so the south of Catalonia and the Empordà counties are areas where rainfall was not significant. That is noticeable now when looking at the levels of the reservoirs," said Samuel Reyes, director of the ACA. 

Between the two areas, 26,000 inhabitants will see their water consumption limited to 200 liters per day per person, as well as a ban on watering gardens or green areas, or filling fountains or artificial lakes.

According to the Catalan Water Agency, water levels in reservoirs are at 27 percent right now. This year Catalonia experienced one of its hottest months of July on record. 

The measure will come into force from next week, once it has been published in the Catalan Official Gazette. 

The Fluvià-Muga aquifer has reached it lowest level since 2009 and the reservoir at Riudecanyes is at 6%, with less than 0.3 hm3. 

The municipalities affected by the restrictions in Baix Camp are Riudecanyes and Duesaigües. In the northern county of Alt Empordà, the restrictions affect 22 municipalities: Agullana, L'Armentera, Capmany, Espolla, Garriguella, La Jonquera, Masarac, Mollet de Peralada, Palau-saverdera, Pau, Pedret i Marzà, Peralada, Sant Climent,  Sescebes, Sant Miquel de Fluvià, Sant Mori, Sant Pere Pescador, Torroella de Fluvià, Ventalló, Vilabertran, Viladamat, Vilajuïga, Vilamacolum.

Water restrictions in Barcelona not in sight

"We have lived through an ongoing drought for 30 months, so two months of rain will not solve all our problems," Reyes warned. 

However, the rain that fell in Catalonia during May and June has helped to postpone the state of emergency in the Ter-Llobregat system, which affects Barcelona and a large part of the Catalan population located around the Catalan capital. 

"Thanks to the recent rain that we had and the management of water resources, the emergency and restrictions for the Ter-Llobregat system that were foreseen for the end of August can be delayed to the end of November or December," the director of the ACA told the media on Wednesday.

"That will give us more time to continue investing in infrastructure and improving them, as well as working on the desalination of water," Reyes concluded.

Filling the Sink podcast 

Heavy rain and occasional drought are common features of Mediterranean weather, but the picture is looking quite worrying in 2023, with water levels in reservoirs consistently dropping over the past months - those managed by the Catalan government are now at 25% capacity. 

Catalan News published a podcast episode on the ongoing drought situation in September 2022. Have a listen below, or search 'Filling the Sink' wherever you get your podcasts.