Palafolls (Maresme) will build a dike in the section of the Tordera river that passes next to the desalination plant with the aim of reducing floods such as those caused by the Glòria storm. It will have a length of 700 meters and an investment of 500,000 euros, 75% financed by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) and the remaining 25% by Aigües Ter-Llobregat (ATL).
The director of the ACA, Samuel Reyes, has explained that there are no “possible alternatives.” He specified that the action will reinforce and grow the speck on the right bank of the river and will also serve to prevent possible damage to the desalination plant in the event of torrential downpours. Reyes has taken the opportunity to ask the population to reduce water consumption “out of solidarity” in the face of the drought that the country is experiencing.
The action is part of the Pla de Gestió de Motes de la Tordera. Reyes explained that it has been decided to advance the construction of the Palafolls section to “minimize the risk” of floods happening again as they experienced in 2020 due to storm Gloria or on other occasions of heavy rain.
In parallel to the construction of the mote, the ACA also plans a project to expand the desalination plant, located in the municipality of Blanes. The work will increase the availability of water in the coming years. Specifically, it will multiply its current capacity by four, going from 20 to 80 cubic hectometres.
The Tordera plant serves the north of the Maresme and the south of the Selva, as well as the regions of Alt Penedès, Anoia, Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Vallès Oriental and Vallès Occidental. The expansion is budgeted at 250 million euros and it is expected that the works will last about three years.
Reyes recalled that they have also begun their studies to create a new desalination plant in Cubelles and that they are working to increase the drinking water from groundwater, especially in the metropolitan area. He assured that, since last August, the desalination plants have been operating “at maximum performance”, and given the scarce forecast of rains, he has ruled that “it is essential to reduce consumption to be as supportive as possible”.
