The Government has given the go-ahead to the modification of the Special Drought Plan (2020) due to the imminent entry into the emergency phase. The agreement involves different measures to make the restrictions more flexible, which would come into force when the Ter and Llobregat reservoirs are below 16% (they are now at 16.7%), which could happen in two weeks.
This flexibility will benefit the first stages of the emergency, especially the world of sports, specifically the sports facilities, since the grass can be watered with regenerated water; federated sports swimming pools, which will be able to refill the battery, and private gyms, where the ban on showering would be conclusive only in advanced stages of the emergency.
“We have made some measures more flexible to adapt to the current moment, which is different from the moment when the Drought Plan was approved”, justified the minister. The result of the changes is that private, hotel and spa pools will not be able to be refilled when the emergency comes into effect, but those at sports facilities will be allowed to be refilled, albeit with some limitations .
In addition, among other measures, the Catalan Executive has approved the reduction of environmental flows in the Llobregat, the Ter and the Muga and the postponement of the start-up of new farms, hotels and real estate developments while the drought lasts. In phases two and three of the emergency, the most restrictive, gyms and sports clubs will have to close the showers.
Some measures are along the lines claimed by Barcelona City Council. The use of water to irrigate gardens and green areas, both public and private, will be prohibited, as established in the Drought Plan, but in the first two stages of the emergency (of the three planned) the survival irrigation of trees and botanical gardens with regenerated water from the treatment plant or with ground water. “Everyone has seen the temperatures reached in the summer; the shadows are essential”, explained the councilor to justify the priority in the preservation of the trees. In the event that emergency phase three – the extreme phase – is reached, irrigation with this water will only be allowed for the survival of trees of a singular nature.
The Drought Plan did not allow any sports surfaces to be watered, but “we will allow sports to continue in these facilities”, said the minister, who argued the need to defend this activity among young people. The irrigation of natural grass sports fields will have to be compensated with regenerated flows or phreatic water, and in addition, a volume equivalent to that used in irrigation must be saved. In the event that emergency phase two is reached, watering can still be guaranteed, but on the condition that the showers are closed. And in emergency three, all sports equipment will have to close the showers.
In general terms, the Drought Plan does not allow swimming pools to be filled, but exceptions are included for swimming pools in sports facilities. So, in the first two phases of the emergency, it will be allowed to partially fill the federated swimming pools as long as it is in the quantities necessary to guarantee sanitary quality. But it will be necessary to save a volume of water equivalent to what is used. However, in emergency two all showers will be closed.
It will also be allowed to fill or refill therapeutic use pools in hospitals; and the cleaning of any type of vehicle is prohibited, except when the cleaning is done in commercial establishments with water recirculation systems.
In addition, the holding of recreational events, public or private, involving the use of water (temporary or recreational ice rinks, foam parties, water games or similar things) is prohibited. And, once the emergency phase is entered, the use of beach showers will be prohibited.
Apart from these modifications, the rest of the Drought Plan in the emergency scenario remains the same. Therefore, an 80% reduction in agricultural irrigation, 50% in livestock uses and 25% in water consumption by industrial users is expected.
However, in all these cases, the allocations can be supplemented with regenerated water. In addition, the water companies will apply measures that may include reductions in supply pressure and, even, the temporary suspension in the provision of the supply service.
