The recent weather conditions in Catalonia have generated great concern due to the severe lack of rainfall, which has led to a critical situation. The Government of Catalonia declared a state of emergency due to drought on 1 February, after water reserves fell below the threshold of 100 cubic hectometres (hm³). This scenario has deeply affected daily life in the region and has put in place a series of exceptional measures to mitigate the impact of the drought.
The drought in Catalonia has reached worrying levels not only due to the lack of rainfall, but also due to a broader context involving water management traditionally focused on surface water, which now requires rethinking. This crisis has had an uneven impact on the territory and has brought to the table the need for greater efficiency in the management of water resources and new infrastructures that can guarantee water for both human consumption and for industry and agriculture.
In this article, we will detail the current situation of the drought in Catalonia, its effects on different sectors and the measures adopted to address this water crisis.
Recovery of water reserves
The recent rains have brought some hope for the recovery of water reservesThe Ter-Llobregat system, which supplies some six million people in the metropolitan area of Barcelona and part of Girona, has seen an improvement. At the beginning of June, the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) reported that the internal basins had reached a water capacity of 30.46%, equivalent to 211,55 hm³ of water. Although the current level is not ideal, it represents a significant increase compared to previous months, when reserves fell to a worrying 15% of their capacity.
This allowed the Government to lift the emergency phase in the Ter-Llobregat system on May 13, as published in the Official Journal of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Despite this, experts maintain a cautious optimism, since, although there was an improvement thanks to a particularly rainy May, the situation remains delicate and surveillance is continuous.
Reservoirs such as Susqueda and Sau have shown signs of recovery, although still below their optimal capacity. In the Sau reservoir, for example, the levels are around 19%, while in Susqueda, 35%. This situation is not without complications, as demand is high and temperatures continue to rise.
In addition to rainfall, efforts have been made to diversify water resources through Introduction of additional infrastructure, such as desalination plants, as well as greater use of reclaimed water. These alternative sources have been key at critical times to avoid major cuts in the supply fed by the reservoirs.
Exceptional measures and restrictions
Given the severity of the crisis, the Government has implemented a series of exceptional measures to reduce water consumption while managing additional resources. During the state of emergency, residents were required to limit their consumption to 200 litres of water per person per day. However, with improved reserves, the limit has been extended to 230 litres per person.
In addition to the limitation on human consumption, a 40% reduction in agricultural irrigation has been implemented, and for the industrial sector, the reduction has been 15%. The measures also include restrictions on the use of drinking water to clean streets, while watering gardens is allowed only during the hours of least sunlight, between 20:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
The drought has hit the agricultural and livestock sectors particularly hard, with reductions in water use of up to 50% for livestock farms. Some farmers and industrial companies have turned to the ACA to present Savings Plans that allow them to relax these restrictions.
Preparations for summer
Se que el ESPERA Summer exponentially increases water consumption due to the arrival of tourists, the increase in the use of swimming pools and irrigation systems for gardens and parks. One of the strategies to face this challenge is the Special Drought Plan, which includes restrictions on the recreational use of water.
The National Drought Plan has also contemplated long-term measures, such as expansion of desalination plants and the use of reclaimed water. Currently, the Llobregat and Tordera desalination plants play a crucial role in supplying the population, and the region is expected to rely more on these systems in the coming years, especially with projects such as Tordera II, planned for 2028.
The importance of groundwater and aquifers
During water crises, the use of groundwater and aquifers has been of vital importance to complement surface sources such as rivers and reservoirs. However, historically, in Catalonia, groundwater has been underused. In fact, it is estimated that in some internal basins, aquifers could provide a volume equivalent to that which Sau can store when it is full.
El IDAEA (Institute for Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies) It is estimated that up to 40% of the population could be supplied by these sources, although the development of aquifer management models is still slow. For now, efficient access to groundwater requires greater investment in infrastructure, research and a legal framework that gives priority to its conservation.
The role of groundwater is not only key due to its quantity, but also its quality, as it is usually less contaminated compared to other sources. With proper management, aquifers could significantly relieve pressure on drier inland basins.
The state of the reservoirs and their evolution
The decline in reserves in Catalonia's reservoirs is one of the main indicators of the seriousness of the situation. In mid-March 2024, levels fell to a worrying 14.41%, a figure that alerted the authorities. However, the rains in April and May provided a temporary respite, raising reserves to 30% in June.
However, summer is usually a period of high consumption, and forecasts indicate that the reservoirs will suffer a new reduction if new saving measures are not included. Thus, all expectations are placed on next autumn, which meteorologists predict may be rainy, although insufficient to reverse the situation completely.
Evolution and future prospects
The drought in Catalonia, which began to worsen in 2021, has been particularly severe in the following years. In 2023, a rainfall deficit of 31% was recorded, up from 21% in the previous year. This trend seems likely to continue in 2024, prompting the government and experts to prioritise long-term structural measures.
Among the most promising strategies for the future is the Development and expansion of desalination plants, such as the Sagunto desalination plant, and the use of reclaimed water for industrial and agricultural purposes. These infrastructures, although expensive, represent a viable solution to guarantee water supply in the future.
Ways to better integrate aquifers into water supply systems are also being explored, which would allow for better management of times of increased water stress.
The current situation in Catalonia shows that the region faces a significant challenge in terms of drought and water resource management. However, with the right measures, both short and long term, mitigation of the crisis is possible. What is certain is that climate change will continue to be a determining factor.