Catalonia is facing an unprecedented drought and has entered an exceptional phase. Several restrictions have been extended on agricultural, industrial, and urban uses, while drinking water supplies remain protected in systems that serve about 80% of the population.
The drought in Catalonia can be traced to a combination of stressed reservoirs, tighter rules, and shifting climate patterns.
Reservoirs are below minimum
The inland basins managed by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) report reservoir levels around 28%, near the 25% threshold that historically triggers a state of emergency. Sau reservoir, the second largest in Catalonia’s inland system, sits at 14.62% after being as high as 48% a year earlier. Its low level necessitated transfers to the larger Susqueda reservoir, which holds 36.81% capacity to preserve water quality by preventing bottom sludge from mixing with the remaining upper waters.
Reservoirs under the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation (CHE) in Catalonia have also dropped to about 30%, a figure described as decisive in the current emergency context.
Increased restrictions
The ACA approved an exceptional situation for the Ter-Llobregat system that feeds the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and the Fluvià-Muga aquifer in Girona. This measure marks a significant step in managing scarce water resources during the drought.
This stage includes restrictions affecting approximately 6 million residents across 224 municipalities, including Barcelona and its metropolitan neighbors.
Agricultural irrigation allocations have been reduced by 40%, industrial use by 15%, and recreational water use by 15% to 50%. Outdoor irrigation for gardens and green spaces is largely prohibited, with exceptions for survival irrigation of trees or plants via drip irrigation or manual watering.
Grass may only be watered on surfaces designated for combined sports uses or with water recovered from treatment plants or rainwater collection systems.
Cleaning streets, sewers, sidewalks, facades, or buildings with drinking water is not permitted. Pools can only be partially filled using recirculation technology and must be supplied with minimal fresh water to guarantee sanitary standards.
A daily allocation of up to 230 liters per person is allowed, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. This average is far from the typical home consumption of 117 liters per person per day, so drinking water itself remains largely unrestricted for practical purposes.
Not enough precipitation is expected
After 29 months without the expected rainfall since storm Gloria in January 2020, hope has grown for spring rain, but sustained heavy rain over four months remains uncertain. If rainfall does not materialize, further restrictions could be needed as reserves drop toward emergency levels.
If rains fail to arrive, more stringent domestic restrictions could be required as reserves dip further. According to Teresa Jordà, the Minister for Climate Action, the unlikely scenario is a year with no rainfall at all.
The new ‘normal’ of drought
Climate change is pushing droughts to become more frequent. The ACA predicts that by 2050, water availability in Catalonia could fall by as much as 18%. This new reality requires residents to use water more responsibly, especially as domestic consumption has recently risen rather than fallen. Governments must adapt to these changing conditions as well.
The role of desalination plants and water recovery
Two desalination facilities play a central part in this adaptation. Catalonia has relied on desalination since the last major water crisis in 2008. The Tordera plant near Blanes, in operation since 2002, and El Prat plant, since 2009, collectively provide a substantial portion of drinking water for the region. The Tordera expansion, valued at around €250 million, is planned to be tendered within the year, though additional new plants are not currently planned in Catalonia, according to officials.
Water recovery, or reuse, is another strategy gaining traction. The goal is to increase the volume of treated wastewater reused for various applications, doubling the amount in the coming years as the Generalitat seeks to extend the life of existing resources and reduce reliance on freshwater sources.
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