Spain Imposes Water Usage Restrictions Due to Severe Drought

Last week, the authorities in Catalonia imposed new water usage restrictions in 22 villages located near the reservoir bordering France, as the water supply feeding them is also running dry, Reuters reports.

In the first four months of 2023, Spain recorded the driest start to the year since the early 1960s, with Catalonia and Andalusia in southern Spain being the hardest hit.

Multiple heatwaves registered this summer in Spain and throughout Europe have intensified the drought, decreasing water levels in reservoirs as evaporation and water consumption increase, said Ruben del Campo, spokesman for the Spanish meteorological agency AEMET.

A state of emergency regarding water has been declared in the 22 villages in southern Catalonia and two other villages, with a total population of about 25,000 people. This means they need to reduce daily water consumption to an average of 200 liters per person, down from the previous 230 liters.

Authorities have not yet restricted personal water consumption, but irrigation for agricultural purposes will largely be banned, and water usage for industrial and recreational purposes must be cut by 25%.

The village of Agulàna, with a population of 900, has maintained water consumption below 200 liters for months, but the mayor has stated that further measures will be taken.

“We will eliminate irrigation for gardens, football fields, and grass around pools, which, as we will see, will turn yellow as if burned,” said Josep Yovell. He added that no water will be used for street cleaning, only chemical cleaning will be allowed.