‘Worst Drought In Modern History’: State Of Emergency Declared As Drought Reaches Crisis Levels

Facing its “worst drought in modern history,” the autonomous region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain has implemented stringent water restrictions after reserves dropped below 16%. The restrictions now extend to Barcelona, home of the largest desalination plant in Europe, as the region confronts a water crisis three years in the making.

With reservoirs depleted, crops threatened, and public amenities shuttered, Spain has declared a state of emergency. Although Barcelona could see its water allotment fall further, government plans for new desalination plants offer some hope – but not before 2028.

State of Emergency Declared in Spain Due to Extreme Drought

The autonomous region of Catalonia in Spain has officially declared a state of emergency as the area faces its worst drought in modern history. According to reports, some parts of the region have not received rainfall for over three years.

Water reserves in Catalonia have fallen below 16% of capacity, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency. In response to the dire situation, the Catalan government has extended water restrictions that were previously only imposed in some areas to now include Barcelona, the region’s largest city.

Causes and Effects of the Drought Crisis

The main causes of Spain’s drought crisis are persistent heatwaves and an overall shortage of rainfall over an extended period of time. According to experts, Catalonia has faced 40 straight months of below-average rainfall.

Barcelona’s largest desalination plant provides nearly a third of the city’s drinking water but requires massive amounts of energy, some of which comes from dirty fossil fuels that worsen climate change.

The Severity of the Drought

The speed at which water reserves have depleted, dropping by over 50% since November 2022, demonstrates the severity of the current drought. While parts of southern Europe received some relief from drought over the summer of 2023, Spain remained largely unaffected. Barcelona relies on Europe’s largest desalination plant for nearly a third of its drinking water, but this process requires large amounts of energy and money.

To address the crisis, the Spanish government plans to invest over $500 million in two new desalination plants to be completed in 2028 and 2029. The government will also transport 10.5 million gallons of water daily to Barcelona from a plant in Valencia.

Water Reserves in Catalonia Below 16% Capacity

The water shortage crisis in Catalonia has reached dire levels, with reserves dropping below 16% capacity. According to reports, the region is experiencing its “worst drought in modern history.” Some areas have not seen rain in over three years, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency.

The low water levels have resulted in the implementation of restrictions across Catalonia, including Barcelona. Many public amenities, such as pools and showers, have been shut down, and agricultural irrigation has been reduced by 20%.

Tighter Restrictions For Barcelona Residents

Over 6 million Barcelona residents now face tighter restrictions on water use. The new rules limit daily water consumption to 200 liters per person, about enough for a 10-minute shower. By comparison, the average Spaniard uses 133 liters per day. If the drought worsens, limits could drop to 180 or even 160 liters per person.

Local authorities have banned watering lawns, filling private pools, and washing cars. They can no longer use drinking water to clean city streets. Next week, Catalan leaders will meet with Spain’s national government to discuss potentially diverting water from other regions.

Shipping Water From Other Regions to Help Barcelona

To alleviate the effects of the drought in Catalonia, the Spanish government has proposed transporting water from the desalination plants in Valencia to Barcelona. The plan involves shipping approximately 10.5 million gallons of desalinated seawater per day to Barcelona, which would increase the city’s water supply by 30%, according to government estimates.

This strategy of transferring water between regions is not without precedent in Spain. During a drought in 2008, water was piped from the Ebro River to Barcelona to augment supplies. However, transporting such large volumes of water requires an extensive network of pipelines and pumping stations, which can be an expensive undertaking.

A Grim Outlook

Experts warn that climate change means droughts like this may become more common in the Mediterranean. Higher temperatures and changes in weather patterns are projected to increase the frequency and severity of drought events. For a region where water is already scarce, this poses huge challenges.

Desalination provides some relief, supplying nearly a third of Barcelona’s water. However, the technology requires significant energy and investments to scale up. As climate change amplifies the water crisis, all options must be on the table to ensure this vital resource is sustainably managed for future generations.

No Relief in Sight

Unfortunately, the sparse rain Spain received last summer did little to alleviate the drought. Barcelona relies on Europe’s largest desalination plant for nearly a third of its drinking water. However, the plant requires massive amounts of energy to operate, much of which still comes from fossil fuels.

Next week, Catalan officials will meet with Spain’s Minister of Energy and Climate to discuss potentially taking water from other regions if the situation becomes dire. For now, citizens are left with the sobering reality that this could become the new normal if collective action isn’t taken.

What Needs to Be Done to Address the Drought Emergency

Much of Spain’s water infrastructure is old, leading to leaks and wasted resources. Upgrading pipes and delivery systems will help ensure more of the available water actually reaches people. Efficient irrigation systems for farmers will allow them to do more with less. Improvements like these require funding but will save money and water in the long run.

Teaching people about water conservation and raising awareness of the dire situation is key. The government needs to launch public education campaigns explaining the simple ways individuals can curb water usage, as well as the consequences if consumption isn’t cut substantially.

Tips for Citizens to Conserve Water During the Drought

To help relieve the effects of the severe drought in Catalonia, citizens of Barcelona and surrounding areas are advised to take measures to reduce personal water consumption. Residents should limit water use for essential purposes only and avoid wasting this precious resource.

Watering plants should be limited to a minimum of twice a week for shrubs and trees and once a week for grass and flowers. Taking shorter showers is recommended, limiting time to around 5 minutes. Turning off the faucet while washing dishes, brushing teeth, and shaving can save up to 20 liters of water per use. Only run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines to maximize efficiency.