The drought does not slow down. The level of the reservoirs continues to fall and on average they are already at 23% of their maximum capacity. In this context, the regional executive has agreed to extend the declaration of emergency in 12 municipalities in the Darnius Boadella reservoir area (Alt Empordà), which will be added to the 24 that were already in this situation (22 in the Fluvià Muga aquifer area, in the Alt Empordà, and two in the Riudecanyes area, in the Baix Camp). In total, there are 36 municipalities that will be in a state of emergency, with almost 150,000 inhabitants. “After the rains of these days, someone may think that the drought has passed; but it’s not like that”, emphasizes Samuel Reyes, director of the Catalan Water Agency (ACA). The rains have made an almost imperceptible contribution to the reserves. “It is the worst drought of this century in Catalonia”, summed up Patrícia Plaja, spokesperson for the Government.
Among the municipalities that are now under emergency are Figueres, Roses or Cadaqués, and Cabanes, Castelló d’Empúries, Fortià, Llers, Riumors, Santa Llogaia d’Àlguema, Vilamalla, Vila-sacra and El Far d’ Emporda
For all these municipalities, a maximum overall allocation of 200 liters per inhabitant per day for all uses is set. Agricultural irrigation is abolished, water consumption by industrial users is reduced by 25% and consumption for recreational uses is reduced (25% in uses comparable to urban ones and the total abolition of irrigation). In addition, the other restrictions that were already in place remain in place, such as prohibitions on using water to irrigate gardens and green areas (public and private) and fully or partially filling ornamental fountains or swimming pools, among others.
It has also been agreed that the Carme-Capellades (Anoia) aquifer enters an exceptional scenario (prior to the emergency), and that of the Baix Ter (Baix Empordà) increases the state of alert, prior to the exceptionality
For its part, the Barcelona region – supplied by the Ter and Llobregat reservoirs – would enter an emergency in December if it does not rain according to the new updated forecasts.
At this point, ACA sources emphasize that non-conventional water resources, such as the regenerated waters of the Llobregat (of which the Generalitat assumes the cost), are being providential, in addition to the resources from the desalination plants.
In this way, in the Catalan basins there are 13 municipalities in a situation of normality, 105 in a situation of alert, 477 in a situation of exceptionality and 36 in an emergency.
Samuel Reyes, director of the ACA, admitted that “it is possible” that some municipalities and supply entities will increase the water service rate as a result of the rise in costs, especially those related to energy, personnel and reagents to treat the capitals, although he clarified that this is a municipal competence. “What is also evident is that there have been increases in energy costs and, in some councils, staff costs; and it is possible that some municipalities will have to increase the rate”, says Reyes.
To improve the quality of the supply service in the Barcelona region, the Generalitat plans to optimize the treatments of the Ter water treatment plant (in Cardedeu). The tender for these works is scheduled for October, the planned execution period is 48 months and they total 130 million. The work includes the installation of new activated carbon filters and the construction of a new ozone disinfection facility, among other elements.
