Water restrictions to remain in place during summer despite recent rain

Water restrictions will remain in place during the summer months despite the recent rain in March, as announced by the Catalan government on Thursday.

The recent rain means Catalonia will avoid progressing to level 2 of the drought emergency, even though restrictions will continue to be in force.

Water restrictions will remain in place during the summer months despite the recent rain in March, as announced by the Catalan government on Thursday.

The recent rain means Catalonia will avoid progressing to level 2 of the drought emergency, even though restrictions will continue to be in force.

This level 2 was planned for the Ter-Llobregat water system, which serves Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

The water level increase in Catalonia’s reservoirs recorded in recent weeks due to the rain will mean that the restrictions will not be strengthened.

“There will not be more, but neither less, water restrictions,” Patrícia Plaja, the government spokesperson, said after a meeting on the ongoing drought.

They warn, however, that despite the rain, people should not believe that the “extreme drought” situation is over.

"We will continue with level 1 of the emergency plan in the vast majority of the territory, and it will not be required to implement new restrictions, but we must continue to be aware of the situation and that reservoirs are still at very low levels," Plaja added.

According to the latest data from the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), reservoirs in the Ter-Llobregat system are at 17.8% of their capacity, with around 109 hm3.

One month ago, they were below 16% and with less than 100 hm3.

After the rain, "the downtrend started last summer comes to an end, but the water levels are still not enough to see a change of scenario with fewer water restrictions," Plaja said.

Boats, liting restrictions, swimming pools

Based on the possibility of lifting restrictions in those municipalities drinking water from the Ter-Llobregat water system, the Climate Action secretary general, Josep Vidal, said that it all depends on the future rain, how much water is produced, and the reduction of water consumption.

"It is complicated to foresee when the drought emergency will be lifted," Vidal said.

After months of working on the possibility, the Catalan government currently rules out sailing tank boats with water. This would be the case only if water levels fell below 67 hm3.

Meanwhile, before the summer, the executive is studying the possibility of opening public swimming pools, which cannot happen in the current conditions.

"We are studying it as towns have asked for permission, and we understand that climate refugees, such as swimming pools, have to be planned due to a climate emergency situation," Vidal said.