Barcelona wants its fountains back amid ongoing drought

Barcelona's city council is in discussions with the Catalan government to turn on fountains across the city, including the iconic Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, despite the ongoing drought, according to deputy mayor Laia Bonet.

While the city council is in favor of reactivating the fountains, the plan still requires approval from the Catalan government.

"There are many fountains in Barcelona, and they are all quite diverse," Bonet said. "Some, like those in Montjuïc, are very famous, and we would like to see them on again."

Bonet also pointed out that the government decree treating groundwater as drinkable does not apply to Barcelona. "In Barcelona, groundwater is not considered drinkable," she explained, as reported by several media outlets.

Earlier this year, when the drought was more severe, the use of groundwater was already permitted for watering plants in the city.

Authorities expect an agreement between the city council and the government within the coming "days or weeks."

The fountains have been switched off since 2023, when the drought decree enforced a ban during a period of exceptional water scarcity.

Filling the Sink podcast 

Heavy rain and occasional drought are common features of Mediterranean weather, but the picture is looking quite worrying over the past months. 

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.