Catalonia declares drought emergency with strict water restrictions forthcoming

The Catalan authorities declared a pre-crisis state in November of the previous year. High temperatures have now further depleted the already low water levels in reservoirs, leading to the definitive decision to declare a state of emergency.

The measures imposed include bans on car washing, garden watering, and pool filling, with fines of up to 50 euros. Pere Aragonès, the President of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, stressed that the region is entering a new climatic reality, predicting intensifying and more frequent drought periods. Restrictions will apply to six million residents of Barcelona and 201 neighbouring municipalities in northeastern Spain.

"Our reservoirs are below 16 percent capacity. The situation in Barcelona and the surrounding Girona area is critical, prompting us to enforce strict measures," said Laura Vilagrà, an official of the Catalan government, during a Wednesday interview with Spanish radio station RNE.

The plan proposed by the authorities allows for three stages depending on the severity of the drought. In the first stage, water consumption per person per day is limited to approximately 241 litres in the UK measure; in the second, it falls to approximately 218 litres; and in the most critical stage, it drops to 191 litres. The average consumption is approximately 159 litres of water per day.

Furthermore, authorities plan to reduce water pressure, with household implementation of this measure expected in July. Possible penalties for local governments should encourage stricter monitoring of water consumption.